Do what you say you are going to do.

 

If you don't follow up people you have met at networking events, you can't expect any real return from your networking. It might sound obvious but so many people fail to follow this simple rule. Take the time to send a quick message to people you've met and then diary the time and make the effort to stay in touch.

 

Just because people aren't relevant to your business immediately, doesn't mean that they can't be your most valuable contacts in the future. If you keep them close. 

 

Do you know the REAL cost of your networking?

 

When you consider any networking group, ask yourself what the cost of membership is. I don't just mean the published cost, what is it really going to cost you?

 

You need to include the price of regular meetings and travel. What's the opportunity cost? In other words, what would you be doing with the time and budget otherwise? And what's the cost of all of those additional meetings with fellow members. Anyone for coffee?

 

If you know the real cost of your networking you can work out what return on investment you need to justify your membership. That's the start of making your networking work for you.

 

Online Social Networking Tip

Are you playing the connections game or building relationships online?

 

Unfortunately, too many people believe that online networking is about collecting connections. He who has the most is the winner. Unfortunately life doesn't work like that.

 

For your network to work for you, and support you, it needs to be deep as well as wide. This is even more important online, where it is harder to build deep relationships.

 

Focus on the numbers alone and you'll lose out.

 

 

Networking isn't just a tool to use for business.

 

In the week of his inauguration, Click here to see me discuss the role networking played in Barack Obama's Presidential election victory.  

 

 

 

 

How effective is your referral strategy? Do you know how many referrals you received last year and where they came from?

 

Are you getting the return on investment you need from your networking? How do you know which groups are right for you to join?

 

If you're serious about growing your business, you need an effective networking and referrals strategy. That's where you're in luck and I may be able to help you!

 

My new double CD set,  Networking in Ninety Minutes' will be available soon and will give you simple tips to put effective strategies into place.

 

Full details about the CDs and how to order will be available soon.

 

Each issue of the newsletter, I'll be looking to recommend events, training courses, books and newsletters I feel might be of interest.

 

The inspiration for the format for this newsletter was Alan Stevens' excellent The Media Coach. Alan's is the only newsletter I know where I have heard countless people say, "it's the only one I always open".

 

It's packed with excellent tips and ideas on interacting with the media, presentation skills and website design. And there's always the '5 minute fun fling' to keep you engaged!

 

You can subscribe to The Media Coach at Alan's website.

 

Each month I write a column for The National Networker, a US based newsletter containing articles on networking from across the States and beyond. I'll feature my monthly column in this newsletter and the best of the content from the other contributors and my back catalogue.

 

My November article, 'I want to see...' can be read here.

 

In Memoriam...

 

After eight years, we bid farewell to the second President Bush. Whatever your political leanings, he certainly left us with some memories to savour.

 

Click here for David Letterman's George W. Bush Top Ten.

 

 

I hope you've enjoyed the newsletter and look forward to your feedback.

 

If you're serious about developing a networking and referrals strategy that can take your business to a new level, you can contact me on:

 

Tel: 07930 417833

Email: andy@lopata.co.uk

Skype: andylopata

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Andy

Lopata.co.uk

Andy on Linked In

Andy on Ecademy

Book here