1.Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.
2.Ask yourself what your goals are in participating in networking meetings so that you will pick groups that will help you get what you are looking for. Some meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering rather than on strictly making business connections.
3.isit as many groups as possible that spark your interest. Notice the tone and attitude of the group. Do the people sound supportive of one another? Does the leadership appear competent? Many groups will allow you to visit two times before joining.
4. Hold volunteer positions in organizations. This is a great way to stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you.
5. Ask open-ended questions in networking conversations. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how as opposed to those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. This form of questioning opens up the discussion and shows listeners that you are interested in them.

This is significant for a number of reasons.
1. It is clear that these leading companies can see the benefit of striking strategic alliances to help grow the business
2. Alliance networking can expand the business across the globe quickly and in a more economical way than through pure organic growth
3. Networks also help to build realistic local pricing levels

But when it comes to networking on a smaller scale, what is the best approach?
How do you ensure that you are linking up with the best partner?

It is clear in any small business that you have to spread your sphere of influence as wide as possible and the internet is the perfect platform to achieve this. Social marketing is one of the cheapest and fastest ways to advertise your business to a network. Twitter, Facebook and MySpace may well give you exposure but dedicated business networking sites such as Linked-in or Biznik will connect you to many like minded global individuals operating in the same space as you.

Business people all over the world are just like you. They are always looking for ways to earn money quickly and cheaply and online social networking has made this a far more practical strategy, even in a scenario where money making opportunities such as free money offer additional sources of income.

There may be many an acquaintances in your business travels at conferences, business party, product launch party, etc. but that doesn’t serve the purpose of networking, a true networking success only comes by following some simplistic rules that are given below:

1 ) Make a point to fill the feelers while attending any events like conferences, meetings or get-togethers. In any events, you must have noticed people giving out their business cards to everyone present in the room. There are thousands of acquaintances which you might have come across while meeting people in conferences but you don’t really make any personal relationships with them or rather they making to you.

When you start networking with people, you are building some personal relationships with them that will help you in longer run. So, remember next time while attending a party or conferences you don’t need to go and excuse yourself for handing out that business card, following are some of the things you can do to build a successful business network.

- Look out for the people who are most popular in the group, these are basically the people who have made name for themselves by being the most talked about persons. You obviously want to get associated with such people to get more business contacts.

Effective business networking is the linking together of individuals who, through trust and relationship building, become walking, talking advertisements for one another.

1. Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.

2. Ask yourself what your goals are in participating in networking meetings so that you will pick groups that will help you get what you are looking for. Some meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering rather than on strictly making business connections.

3. Visit as many groups as possible that spark your interest. Notice the tone and attitude of the group. Do the people sound supportive of one another? Does the leadership appear competent? Many groups will allow you to visit two times before joining.

4. Hold volunteer positions in organizations. This is a great way to stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you.

Hi

Here are my five tips for successful business networking.

1. Research, Focus and Target Research and visit several networking groups. Don't waste time with groups that will not provide the type of connections your business needs. Target the right groups and the correct people and opportunities within the groups. Targeting is important if you intend on getting what you need, reaching your contact goals. Find the right size group. Large groups require a lot of work, a lot of time to work properly. Do you have the energy and time?
2. Be the Real Thing If you're not genuine when entering into new networking relationships and do not reciprocate and actively promote those in your network - the gigs up. Also, remember the Golden Rule, "Do unto others, as you'd have them do unto you." Be professional not a bothersome bore. Find groups and people you enjoy, people who are fun to be with. It makes being yourself more comfortable. Also sharing someone you really like with others (remember - you're their active promoter) so much easier.
3. Ask Good Questions and Really Listen to the Answers Nothing separates the seed from the chaff quicker than than those who are listening impaired. I'm not talking about a hearing impairment. It's simple to remember why God gave us one mouth and two ears - good listening takes a minimum of twice the effort. Check it out: Ask those who are close to you if you're a good listener (kind of funny to think I'm asking a potentially listening impaired person to do this). If the answer is no, you've got work to do. Study and work on becoming better at the art of listening.;Then, when you ask good questions, you will gain insights into how you can become a valuable resource in solving the networking puzzle and becoming an active promoter for those in your network. Remember asking good questions is a great way to get to know people. Your most valuable networking links will know how to ask questions of you and importantly, how to listen.
4. Be the Reliable Expert Here's where the rubber really meets the road for your company. To Be or Not To Be. Notice I didn't write become a reliable expert - of course you've got to start somewhere. Becoming an expert is an active decision requiring ongoing study and diligence. I'm guessing you may already be an expert in some ways or of some thing. What is your business truly 'the experts' of? What is your business known for. Let's assume (and hope) your business is know for many great things. Are you reliable, does your business have reliability at its core? If so, makes sure you have the concise and persuasive answers to the Who, What, How, Why and When questions your networking links should be asking and need to know.
5. Set Goals This one is all about setting contact goals. For example: make four calls per day to people you have been interacting with in networking opportunities. Touch base - remember a quick call to reinforce new relationships, to provide genuine not superficial contact, goes a long way. Make calls to those who you can benefit and who can benefit you. Remember to contact a fixed number of existing customers too - every week. Set goals for attending networking events and using online social media. Is that one or two per events a week? Do I interact daily or several times per week online? What do you want to accomplish? Business networking has to be active to succeed.

Thanks

But effective networking requires some key habits you need to start putting into place if you want it to bring you results. Otherwise, you will be spending lots of time and energy.

It's easy to confuse networking with socializing. The difference is networking is done for a business purpose. Socializing is done for fun. And while, I believe networking can be fun it should not be taken as an opportunity to trash yourself and become a party animal. It should also not be the place to hide behind tables and in corners.

Here are 9 tips to help you achieve successful business networking:

1. Go to events and groups where your target market is present.

There is no sense in going to events full of people not interested in your help. Ask yourself before attending any networking event or group "does my target market hang out here?" If the answer is no, skip it. If it's yes, be there consistently. This should be considered before joining any paid organizations and chambers as well. For example, I recently joined my local chamber of commerce. Before I signed up I did my homework and found out that out of 600 members one third of them are in my target market. That's 200 people I have access to and if we just consider 1% of them being my clients that's 20 potential clients. So was it worth joining my chamber? Yes!

2. Set an intention. Decide what you want to achieve at each event.

Before entering any event set an intention for what you want to achieve and who you would like to meet. Being clear on this makes it a lot easier to attract the circumstances you want and have people at the event help you as well. Don't be afraid to know what you want and ask for it. You'd be amazed at what will come to you when you put this into practice.

3. Be authentic.

There's nothing more repelling than an inauthentic person. Hype and arrogance can be detected a mile away. And part of networking is creating relationships and alliances. When you are not being authentic people catch the vibe and will not be interested in knowing more about you or helping you meet other people. Be yourself. This has a lot to do with believing in what you do and loving it. If you don't, chances are you will be perceived as trying to beat people over the head with a sell. That's not working so much these days. So definitely be yourself; be real.

4. Offer Value.

When you are networking it's easy to get really into "your story". But the truth is people really want to know what it is you offer that will help them solve their problems. So identify 3 really valuable things you can offer people that are free and offer it to them. Offer so much value that you think you may be offering too much. People appreciate this and this establishes relationships. This is part of creating ongoing relationships and not just one time sells. You want your clients to be with you forever and it starts with offering value to them before they become your clients.


5. Don't hard sell.

The days of the hard sell are over. People are tired of being sold to in a hyped-up, rushed manner. So avoid this at all costs when you are attending networking events. If you are at an event where you are given the opportunity to promote something, go back to offering value and offer something for free. I recently attended a networking event where I was asked by the organizers to promote my workshop to it's guests. Well, of course I jumped at it but I offered anyone who signed up for my workshop a free 1 hour coaching session with me. Do you think people were interested? Absolutely!

Hi

1. Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.
2. Ask yourself what your goals are in participating in networking meetings so that you will pick groups that will help you get what you are looking for. Some meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering rather than on strictly making business connections.
3. it as many groups as possible that spark your interest. Notice the tone and attitude of the group. Do the people sound supportive of one another? Does the leadership appear competent? Many groups will allow you to visit two times before joining.
4. Hold volunteer positions in organizations. This is a great way to stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you.
5. Ask open-ended questions in networking conversations. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how as opposed to those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. This form of questioning opens up the discussion and shows listeners that you are interested in them.

Thanks

HI
Here are my tips for successful business networking.

1. Research, Focus and Target Research and visit several networking groups. Don't waste time with groups that will not provide the type of connections your business needs. Target the right groups and the correct people and opportunities within the groups. Targeting is important if you intend on getting what you need, reaching your contact goals. Find the right size group. Large groups require a lot of work, a lot of time to work properly. Do you have the energy and time?
2. Be the Real Thing If you're not genuine when entering into new networking relationships and do not reciprocate and actively promote those in your network - the gigs up. Also, remember the Golden Rule, "Do unto others, as you'd have them do unto you." Be professional not a bothersome bore. Find groups and people you enjoy, people who are fun to be with. It makes being yourself more comfortable. Also sharing someone you really like with others (remember - you're their active promoter) so much easier.
3. Ask Good Questions and Really Listen to the Answers Nothing separates the seed from the chaff quicker than than those who are listening impaired. I'm not talking about a hearing impairment. It's simple to remember why God gave us one mouth and two ears - good listening takes a minimum of twice the effort. Check it out: Ask those who are close to you if you're a good listener (kind of funny to think I'm asking a potentially listening impaired person to do this). If the answer is no, you've got work to do. Study and work on becoming better at the art of listening.;Then, when you ask good questions, you will gain insights into how you can become a valuable resource in solving the networking puzzle and becoming an active promoter for those in your network. Remember asking good questions is a great way to get to know people. Your most valuable networking links will know how to ask questions of you and importantly, how to listen.

Thanks