Networking can be one of the most effective methods used to market your business; however there are few things that just aren't true.

They are:

1. You will always get business every time you attend a networking meeting. Unfortunately, you don't always have immediate results. On a rare occasion it's possible but it's not the norm.
2. You don't have to participate; you just need to show up. Just by making an appearance, doesn't earn you immediate business.
3. You need to be very aggressive if you want it to work. Quite the opposite, you'll turn people away if you're too pushy.
4. It's just a social party and no business ever really happens. Definitely not the truth, lots of business happens from networking events. Although they can be lots of fun too!
5. Unless you buy something from someone, you won't receive any referrals. If you meet people like that that, you're not at the right place. Wish them well and meet people that are freely giving referrals, regardless of what you do for them.
6. You need to be born and raised in the community or no one will want to network with you. "The Good Ole Boys Network." I know for a fact that it's one of the best places to be if you're new to the community. Although the "Good Ole Boys Network" still exists, do your best to promote the others and they'll love you to pieces!
7. You need to be an extrovert in order to succeed at networking. Plenty of people attend and are sometimes uncomfortable until they get to know the group. The world is a mix of both types of individuals and networking works for both.
8. The only people out networking are companies under 5 years in business. I believe all businesses need to stay visible in their community regardless of how long they are open. There are all types of people that network including CEOs, Executives, Administrators, Teachers, Lawyers, home based businesses and other professionals.
9. You can only give referrals to people in that group. Unfortunately, this could be true if you are in a structured referral network where you make a promise to find others in the group business. If you only plan on being involved in one group, that's fine. However, when you expand your network, it could be unfair to others you may know that are more qualified to receive your referral.
10. You should only attend if you're selling something. Absolutely not. I encourage people to attend for a variety of reasons from making a connection to land a new job to getting inspiration to launch their own business. The reason someone attends may also include wanting to surround themselves with other successful people. You just don't know what their reason but it's not always to sell you something.



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If you decide to go into business for yourself, it's imperative to have an impeccable reputation. You should always be establishing your credibility and strengthening your reputation whenever possible.

It won't happen overnight but it can be built very quickly if you take some bold steps to get there quicker.

First of all, people must be talking about you to begin with otherwise you won't have much involvement with them. Developing your reputation amongst your customers, prospects and network is a process of taking exceptional care and concern for their well being. In addition, you must be reliable, honest and come from a place of strong integrity to always do what's right.

Being ethical and standing behind your word is one of the strongest ways to build your reputation.

Has this ever happened to you? You give a referral to someone that you believe will take excellent care of your friend and then never call the person back or follow up in any way! What about if they give a quote for something and then end up charging double when the job is completed? What they don't realize is each time they drop the ball; they score worse on their reputation report card!

Your reputation is an accumulation of everyone's experience with you. If you continue to provide bad service, mislead or confuse them, they will share their opinion about you whether you want them to or not.

When it comes to business, the marketplace is your critic. You already know that people talk about bad experiences they have so try and avoid it at all costs, even if that means you lose a little money. If you miscalculated something, that's your fault, not your customers. Think of the consequences before making that judgment call.

If you make a commitment to someone, follow through otherwise be fully accountable for why you can't. I once knew this woman that was desperately trying to protect her name but she kept letting people down or disappearing. People around would ask what happened to her and then share how disappointed they were by her lack of service. There were some that refused to give her any business because of it.

When you provide more value than you need to, continue to stay on top of every situation, honor all relationships with the highest integrity you have and show respect for others, you'll earn a powerful reputation. Eventually, it will be so strong that you don't have to prove yourself because your reputation will precede you!



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I'm often asked how to determine who should be included in your network of connections. I have an open door policy that allows everyone in unless it can cause damage to others I know.

I know it's hard to imagine that there can be a few people that will manipulate you and your network to getting whatever they want, no matter what the price is. Unfortunately, I lose respect for those individuals and prefer not to be connected to them. I will go to all costs to also protect the people I know in my network.

On rare occasions, I have had to break ties with people because of certain acts they have done that go against my own principles and core values. It's not typical but it does happen.

If you allow certain behavior to exist, it can multiply and spread disease causing others either do the same or become dissatisfied.

I remember I once knew this woman that demanded everyone buy something from her regardless of who they were and if they didn't she would talk smack about them. She made a huge fuss about why she should have her way and it turned quite a few people away. Her demands were unreasonable especially when she burned bridges throughout the group. She would use people for what she needed then not pay them for their services performed only to say they didn't do a good job. She not only plowed over people but left a trail of dead bodies in her quake.

This kind of networking is not healthy and needs to be stopped before it can get out of control.

You will also meet others that simply want to take from you leaving you feeling empty. Again, not my favorite types of individuals that I want to include in my close network. You have the right to decide who is someone you want to bring closer to you or who you want to keep at a distance.

Sometimes it's hard to pull the weeds in your networking garden. The larger the network you create, the more they seem to pop up. There's really not an easy way of removing them completely but you must eliminate or at least stop their unwanted behavior. Sit down with them and offer a heart to heart. See if there's something you can do to help them. Let them know there are other ways they can get what they want. A few minutes of coaching might just be what saves them in their business.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darlene_Willman