Tip of the week: Be prepared

If doneproperly, networking can be a very rewarding method of relationship building and lead generation.

It is cheap (free), easy (when you know what you are doing), fun (you never know who you are going to meet) and can have incredible success (if you live and breathe it).

This is not a task. It is an art. You are the artist of your relationships. The key to successful networking is as simple as making sure you do it all the time. Become practised at making sure you use every single social situation to help build your network.

Here’s a couple of things to prepare beforehand.

1. Get to know your host onthe Internet.Only enter a room once you know the background of your host and any guests you want to meet. This takes just a few moments on the Internet but gives you the leading edge (plus something to talk about).

2. Know the hot topics in theindustry of your host.You are never going to look boorish when you ask knowledgeable questions about your host’s business.

3. Want to be interestingand knowledgeable?Read the newspaper every day. Even if it’s only for a few minutes and you only read the lead paragraphs.

4. Know who you are andwhat you are about.Prepare a short and snappy introduction to yourself that can be used when you are asked what you do. Practise it a few times before using it.

Tip supplied by Debbie Mayo-Smith of Successful InternetStrategies.