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