| One of the easiest ways to increase sales is | | | | do this is to know what interests the people |
| through networking and one of the best ways | | | | have and then send them personalized emails |
| to network is to network easily. What I mean | | | | or notes with articles of interest attached. |
| by this is to do things that come naturally | | | | Do this with no intention of them buying but |
| to you. | | | | the more they know you, the more they will |
| | | | tend to buy. |
| Some of the ideas that can be helpful for | | | | |
| networking are: | | | | 6. Become an expert: Becoming an expert in |
| | | | any field is simple to do. First pick a topic |
| 1. Join groups that you would be interested | | | | that you are passionate about and then spend |
| in joining. For example, if you like to run, | | | | an hour a day reading trade journals; going |
| join a running group; if you like to play | | | | to trade shows; and learning about that |
| bridge, join a bridge group; if you would | | | | topic. Within six to eight weeks, you will be |
| like to go to church, become a member of a | | | | close to an expert in that field and people |
| congregation. Joining a group just for the | | | | will turn to you for solutions. |
| sake of networking, generally doesnt work. | | | | |
| | | | 7. Be generous: People tend to link happy |
| 2. Volunteer to speak at events. You can | | | | occasions with gifts. Be prolific with gifts; |
| start by speaking to small groups and then in | | | | for example, baby gifts you will find that |
| time you can become more selective and speak | | | | people are very grateful that you remembered |
| to larger groups. Toastmasters is an | | | | their special occasion. |
| excellent group to join to improve your | | | | |
| speaking ability as well as another | | | | 8. Follow-through: If you are trying to sell |
| networking opportunity. | | | | a product to a customer, make sure that you |
| | | | follow up with them so you can make the sale. |
| 3. Write articles. There is something that | | | | Many times people will provide the |
| makes someone seem like an expert when they | | | | information on the product and will tell the |
| write an article on a specific topic. | | | | customer that they will get back to them, but |
| Articles are easy to write if you are | | | | dont, so the sale falls through. |
| passionate about what you are writing about. | | | | |
| There are also hundreds of publications that | | | | 9. If you are going to be out there, work the |
| are hungry for material. Again, you will have | | | | room: What I mean by this is why go to a |
| to start small with local publications and | | | | function and sit only with the people that |
| work up to other publications. No one wants | | | | you already know. No need to sit in the |
| to publish you? Use some of the free online | | | | corner when you can mingle with new people |
| services like or do a blog (which can be a | | | | and get to know them. This skill does not |
| great networking tool on its own). | | | | come naturally to introverted people; |
| | | | however, it is something that can be easily |
| 4. Keep a Rolodex (I use Outlook) and keep it | | | | learned by stepping out of your comfort zone. |
| organized. Ideally include not only names and | | | | |
| address but also a few points of interest | | | | People tend to buy from people they know. |
| about the person or their business. | | | | Become more known and sell more. This is one |
| | | | way smaller companies and beat larger |
| 5. Keep in touch with people. The best way to | | | | companies any day. |