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How do you drum up business in Networking Events?

by newbie_ken
9 replies
I went to a networking event to drum up some business. So far I have 50 people I meet at a business networking event. I normally meet 5 or 6 people in one networking event.


I have business cards with; name, number, email address and postal address.


I have put all there details into my data base and kept in touch with some through email.


I'm a realtor and my goal is to find buyers, sellers and landlords.


Some are not qualified but still want to keep in touch, maybe they might know some one.


I want to know if what I'm doing is correct as I have no successful reference experience.


My real question is has any one have success in networking events, if so would like some advice to what I'm doing is correct.
#business #drum #events #networking
  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    Ken; You said that you ordered my book. If it was the Sales Prospecting book, the last third of it is dedicated to exactly what you are asking.


    Almost everything I read about working a networking event, is nonsense ...written by people who say what they think would work, or what sounds good. Hopefully, you'll get some serious advice from the few here that actually make these events pay off.
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    • Profile picture of the author newbie_ken
      Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

      Ken; You said that you ordered my book. If it was the Sales Prospecting book, the last third of it is dedicated to exactly what you are asking.


      Almost everything I read about working a networking event, is nonsense ...written by people who say what they think would work, or what sounds good. Hopefully, you'll get some serious advice from the few here that actually make these events pay off.
      Thanks for your reply Claude

      I'm glad I'm getting advice from proper experts. Its tough for me as I don't know what I'm doing is correct or wrong.

      Sorry for not mentioning which book. I decided to get the Icebreaker.

      Regarding The Icebreaker, does it tell me how to get clients from networking event.

      I feel sometimes I'm shooting in the dark. Thanks for your help
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      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by newbie_ken View Post

        Thanks for your reply Claude

        I'm glad I'm getting advice from proper experts. Its tough for me as I don't know what I'm doing is correct or wrong.

        Sorry for not mentioning which book. I decided to get the Icebreaker.

        Regarding The Icebreaker, does it tell me how to get clients from networking event.

        I feel sometimes I'm shooting in the dark. Thanks for your help
        Icebreaker is a good book. Not one I wrote, but a good one.
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  • Profile picture of the author internetmarketer1
    Breaking the ice...... Getting to hit them up properly is tough. Striking up that conversation can cause the conversation to go forward or nowhere. Do you really want the conversation to go down the drain by not approaching them correctly?

    The key is to always approach them with the intent of learning about their business. Stop talking about your services. Stop trying to strike up a conversation in hopes that they'll pay you upfront. That isn't the goal. The real goal is all about building trust and showing them that you genuinely know how to take their business to the next level, and that can only be done by gaining their trust. Approach them like you would anybody, and when it's time to talk business, you will eventually get to that position.
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  • Profile picture of the author Freebiequeen1999
    Networking can be great or a real cluster LOL...

    You can't go into it with the mindset that you will close a deal right there...won't happen

    Be prepared to hear a lot of the other people's "pitches" too....the mlm ones can be very aggressive

    Use it to build relationships....you may not sell someone there but they may know someone who needs what you offer....they may need you a few months from now

    Be sure to not just hit and run....pick a group/s that are a good fit for you (I personally try to avoid any with too many mlm people). Get involved....you can talk the people who run it and volunteer to help out...if you are the person sitting there making name tags , getting info, whatever, it can be very natural to have people gravitate to you

    Don't overlook the "social" aspect of it....be cool, give biz cards but get all biz cards, drop a note to them...build your network
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    • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
      Originally Posted by Freebiequeen1999 View Post

      Networking can be great or a real cluster LOL...

      You can't go into it with the mindset that you will close a deal right there...won't happen
      It is definitely a long term plan.

      I had a business development manager working for me who had a great focus on networking.

      There would be plenty of "meeting for coffee"

      They did have a plan with contacting several influential people and organisations.

      Some of the results were outstanding but they required real commitment and solid, fast delivery when one of the contacts decided they needed our service.

      We did pick up several corporates and have become preferred suppliers to a number of businesses and govt organisations.

      Although we parted company due to personality clashes my business still reaps the rewards.

      I think the rewards are greater now because the expense of acquisition has already been absorbed.

      The skill of networking as really an art form much like the skills to be super successful at sales is a long journey.

      You need to practice and perfect.

      Some of the events we networked were so above my pay scale....

      you know...Black Tie...formal stuff...not comfortable.

      I was meeting big sponsors and people well above my usual social circle.

      The lesson I learned was these people lifted my skill set and boosted my confidence.

      In the months following her employment my business grew not only financially but also grew in interpersonal skills and communications.

      BTW camcard is a great app for importing business card to database. You scan card and it extracts details into excel.
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      • Profile picture of the author savidge4
        Originally Posted by Oziboomer View Post

        Some of the events we networked were so above my pay scale....

        you know...Black Tie...formal stuff...not comfortable.

        I was meeting big sponsors and people well above my usual social circle.

        The lesson I learned was these people lifted my skill set and boosted my confidence.
        This right here is one of those things... My GrandFather used to say "Get in where you can fit in" ( Its an old Southern saying - but has been hipped up by the urban crowd lol ) And it wasn't about staying with who you know.. but getting into those social echelons that you may not normally stretch into.

        GrandDad was one of those types that everyone knew.. The Mayor, The Governor, the crack head down the street... it didn't matter. It was always amusing to travel with him. I recall a Cruise through Central America... and he would "run into" people he knew.. short of ridiculous really.. but funny! LOL

        When I was younger.. til about 15 years ago living in Myrtle Beach SC I was a Golf Caddy 3 days a week. If you think about it.. where better a place to spend basically 3 to 4 hours with people that could either take a week off to golf, or take the day off during the week to do so.

        Wasn't by any means "Black Tie" more like the "Plaid Knickers" or "Nike Sweater Vest" crowd.. I am sure when they went home.. they would dress down into their plaid PJ's and sip on brandy or something.

        Its those connections however that produced the most fruit for my business in those days. Setting appointments and walking in and the guy behind the desk saying "Aren't you the Caddy I had 3 weeks ago?" ( with that puzzled look on his face ) It went right from a cold walk in to.. well a rather warm one!

        Weather its meet and greets or society events or a simple round of golf.. get in where you can fit in!
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      • Profile picture of the author newbie_ken
        Originally Posted by Oziboomer View Post

        It is definitely a long term plan.

        I had a business development manager working for me who had a great focus on networking.

        There would be plenty of "meeting for coffee"

        They did have a plan with contacting several influential people and organisations.

        Some of the results were outstanding but they required real commitment and solid, fast delivery when one of the contacts decided they needed our service.

        We did pick up several corporates and have become preferred suppliers to a number of businesses and govt organisations.

        Although we parted company due to personality clashes my business still reaps the rewards.

        I think the rewards are greater now because the expense of acquisition has already been absorbed.

        The skill of networking as really an art form much like the skills to be super successful at sales is a long journey.

        You need to practice and perfect.

        Some of the events we networked were so above my pay scale....

        you know...Black Tie...formal stuff...not comfortable.

        I was meeting big sponsors and people well above my usual social circle.

        The lesson I learned was these people lifted my skill set and boosted my confidence.

        In the months following her employment my business grew not only financially but also grew in interpersonal skills and communications.

        BTW camcard is a great app for importing business card to database. You scan card and it extracts details into excel.



        Hi Oziboomer,

        I'm starting to get good at networking event, in my mind lol. Well people are responding to me a lot better. I'm see patterns.


        I still haven't read the Ice Breaker book yet hehehe.


        How do I get into the black tie networking events????


        I would love to do this. I'm guessing you have to pay a bit of money to get in.


        I normally go on meetup dot com and go to business meet ups. It's good but would love to get into a wealthier club. Not sure how to do this. I will stay in meetup dot com for now and get some experience before I go to the higher end networking events.


        I find going to social networking events actually builds my conversation muscles and confidence up as well. It doesn't really lead to business but a confidence builder. It builds my mind muscles for business networking events. I can always practice my pitch, listening skills and qualification skills to any one or every one.

        My question is: where do wealthy people normally hang around???


        and how do I get into the black tie networking events????


        I do see this as a long term learning curve. Unfortunately it is the way it is. It's a long term learning curve with sales as well
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  • Profile picture of the author Freebiequeen1999
    Ken.....one way to meet "wealthier" people is through charity events.
    Get involved ...get known....
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