1. As I meet new people, I really work to try to make great introductions for them. Don’t
worry about who’s going to do things for you, just concentrate on what you can do for
others. It makes the process much more enjoyable and probably more successful in
the long run.
Jeanne McDonald, President, KERR MCDONALD LLC
NETWORKING IS LIKE VOLUNTEER
WORK

2. BNI and others groups are great. But you can form your own. I just formed a group of
4 of us who provide different services to small businesses – since we’re all serving the
same market, we should certainly be able to make favorable introductions for each
other.
Jeanne McDonald, President, KERR MCDONALD LLC
FORM SMALL NETWORKING
GROUPS

3. I believe in appreciation marketing. When I meet someone I send them a physical
“Nice to Meet You” card. I sometimes take their picture with my cell phone and
put it on the cover of the card to personalize it. I can do this easily from my
computer. In a digital age, people respond to a card or hand written note. They
will keep the card on their desks especially if it has their picture on the cover. This
keeps you front of mind.
Diane DiResta, DiResta Communications Inc
APPRECIATION MARKETING

4. Listen for folks that have the same types of referral sources. Even if you see no
possible connection with the individual themselves the fact that you have the
same referral sources makes them an excellent person with whom to network.
You intro them to your set of referral sources, they intro you to theirs and voila
you have expanded your contacts.
Adrian Miller, Adrian Miller Sales Training
FIND SIMILAR REFERRAL SOURCES

5. Key networking strategy – Listen!
We want to tell, impress, and explain. Bad! Instead, spend 15 minutes
listening. “Really? Is that so? Tell me more!” After a while, it will get easier.
Meanwhile, you’re getting information and building trust. They’ll serve you well.
And people will describe you as the greatest conversationalist they’ve ever met!
Here’s a way to measure success, if you come home with more business cards
than you brought. Second way ‐ more successful business conversations.
Craig Jennings, Business Coach
LISTEN

6. • Send handwritten notes after meeting someone you connected with
• Bring a fine tip sharpie to write notes on cards when you meet people you want to stay
connected to.
• Play matchmaker at event ( intro a real estate broker to a mortgage broker for example)
Jeanne Brutman, Financial Advisor, Aligning financial decisions with goals and values.
WRITE NOTES ON CARDS

7. If you don't intend to follow up within a reasonable time with the contacts you've made at a
networking event, then skip the event.
You have two ears, one mouth. Listen twice as much as you speak.
Sheila Ziegler, Bradley Marketing Group
FOLLOW UP

8. Do what comes naturally. Avoid doing something or joining an organization just
because it seems good for business, when the substance is foreign to you.
David Abeshouse, Business Litigator, Arbitrator, Mediator, Speaker
BE NATURAL

9. Networking events are very much like singles events. The odds of making a good
solid connection with someone that we’re going to establish a long‐term
relationship with are slim, If I make one good solid connection for every 3 events I
go to, I’m way ahead of the game.
Yosef Rabinowitz, Managing Director, TBRC Cost Recovery, LLC
SET THE RIGHT EXPECTATIONS

10. Look to meet those who are not in your circle. People will naturally refer business
to you when they learn what you do and see a need for your services. By knowing
lots of people in different industries you become the go to.
Beth Silver, Doubet Consulting (Brand & Marketing )
KNOW NEW AND DIFFERENT
PEOPLE

11. Networking is a long term strategy. Network consistently and the results will
come, don’t expect instant results.
Liran Hirschkorn, Center for Wealth Preservation
BE PATIENT