50-ways-to-make-your-first-sale

Chapter 30
Local Business Networks
How Can Business Networking Groups
Help Your Business?
In a nutshell, the bigger your professional network, the more trusted
referrals you’ll get. When we say “referral”, don’t just think of a referral as an
interested first-time home buyer or someone who needs a gentle dentist. A
referral can also be a local person looking for certain products that you sell.
Now you can network day and night and get zero benefit out of it. Simply
collecting thousands of business cards won’t ignite explosive growth.
However, if you network the right way, it might be the only form of
marketing you ever do. Many professional networkers will say this time and
time again.
Here are 6 key strategies toward successful networking:
1 Be memorable to other business owners – When you attend these
groups you need to be memorable. One of the easiest ways to do this
is to have a very unique and creative business card. Alternatively,
experienced networkers will have a silly poem as a tagline: “When
you’re bathroom becomes a bummer, just remember Pete the
Plumber!” You don’t necessarily have to be “cheesy”, but you MUST
find a way to be memorable.
2 Find businesses in your network that compliment your own – If
you own an online jewelry store, you should partner up with local
businesses that are in the wedding industry. By referring business
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