17 Networking Events YIKES!
What to do with those business cards????
A couple of weeks ago, I was invited to 17 business networking events, now that’s what I call March Madness! Of course, I will not attend all of them, but it brought up an important question – which is … what will you do with all of those business cards that I get when I go to networking events?
Key thing to remember –
Million Dollar Equation (MDE) Lesson : It is not the cards that you GIVE, it is the cards that you GET that make a difference!
What normally happens is that when most business owners return to their offices, they go through the cards and decide which cards of businesses they like to call first, which ones they remember… and who was nice to them. Then they start to call but after having to leave a couple of messages, they decide to send an email. What to say in the email???… this is much harder than they had planned! And they give up the process or and HOPE for the best. Sigh…
The MDE Lesson – Create your Follow Up System BEFORE you attend the networking event. And EVERY business card you receive gets the same Follow Up System.
Your Networking Follow Up System should include the following:
1. A handwritten thank you card for meeting them at the event – try to remember something interesting about them. Write it on the back of the card.
2. An introduction about you
3. Ask what can you help them with
4. Tell a little about your business
5. Ask to meet again – in person or over the telephone
6. They should now be in one of three categories
a. Client
b. Prospect
c. Referral Partner
7. Move them to your “NURTURE” system
My system includes gifts, books, joint networking together and is delivered over 90 days. Then the Nurture system continues for the next 12 months.
Because of the system, I don’t have to attend all 17 networking events, but allow my system to develop a relationship that extends the previous networking events.
Systems, generate consistency, consistency generates money.