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'Connecting is not Enough' - tips and tools to help you get a return from your networking

 

 

Andy Lopata 

  

  

I was honoured last week to be accepted into the ranks of the Fellows of the Professional Speaking Association of the UK (PSA), the highest level of membership of the organisation. 

 

Membership of the PSA has been a cornerstone of the development of my career since I joined in 2003. I have had tremendous support and learned an incredible amount from colleagues within the association and have also collaborated on projects with a number of them. 

 

Alongside the recognition from my peers of the progress I have made, Fellowship allows me to interact more formally with people at the top of the profession, helping me to continue my professional development and set higher goals for the coming years. 

 

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I'm trying something a little bit different in this edition of 'Connecting is not Enough'. Rather than three short tips, I'm just sharing one slightly longer tip. The idea is to give you a bit more detail but less to read. 

 

Please do let me know if you like the different approach or would prefer a return to the three tips I've always used previously. 

 

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If you have any questions you'd like me to address either in this newsletter or on my blog, please either tweet me, post them onto our Facebook or LinkedIn pages or email them to me


I always try to address as many as possible.  

 

Happy Networking!


Andy

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A blast from the past
 Networking Top Ti

 

Last week I met someone at a networking event and we chatted about some opportunities to possibly work together. He asked for my card but didn't have any himself. Not a problem on its own (see the last edition) but his response was interesting. 

 

"Don't worry", he told me. "I've collected everyone's card tonight and I'll send them all an email saying how good it was to meet and with my details". 

 

When I asked if he would personalise the email for each person he met, reflecting their conversation, he looked at me in amazement. "How can I remember all of those names?"

 

Sending a simple personalised email to someone reflecting the conversation you had isn't that difficult. All you need to do is:

 

1. Speak to a few people and have genuine conversations rather than rush around the room trying to grab a card from everyone.

 

2. Show a genuine interest in the other person and engage in conversation rather than trade elevator pitches

 

3. Listen to their name when they tell you and look at it again on their card when they give it to you.

 

4. Make notes on the back of the cards your receive, either at the time (with their permission) or as soon as possible after the event. 

 

5. Follow up quickly, within 24 hours if possible, while the conversations are still fresh in your mind. 

 

You will achieve far more and create a greater impact by showing a genuine interest in a few individuals at an event rather than collecting cards from and email blasting everyone at an event. 

 

By the way, I still haven't heard anything from him!

 

How to help your network to refer you
'Recommended' Video Tip  

 

Can your network recognise opportunities to refer you and understand how to have a conversation with your prospect that motivates that person to want to hear from you and find out more? 

 

How to help your network refer you
How to help your network refer you
 
Bits & pieces

 

A couple of months ago I recorded an interview about networking strategy for Sticky Marketing TV alongside marketing expert Grant Leboff. I have been invited back to record a second interview, this time to talk about referral marketing, and you could be there too. 

 

Sticky Marketing TV record their interviews in front of a small audience at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel Watford Conference Centre every few months, with five business specialists being interviewed in a day. I'll be interviewed at 10am on the 5th October, followed by Agnes NairnPhilip Hesketh and Robert Craven.

 

If you'd like to come along and spend all or part of the day watching the interviews and picking up some key business tips as well as having the opportunity to network with others there, please  contact  [email protected].

  

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Competition Corner is back! I know from my years working with Business Referral Exchange (BRX) how important it is to perfect a good 60 seconds presentation to a group of fellow networkers, and how many get it wrong. 

 

My friend Michael Dodd, a media trainer who has worked with a number of networking groups in the past, has offered a prize to readers of 'Connecting is not Enough' of a space on his forthcoming 'Perfecting your 60 Second Elevator Pitch' course on the morning of 14th October in Central London.

 

The prize can alternatively be used for Michael's 'Giving Great Answers to Tough Questions' session on the same afternoon. 

 

To enter, please send an email to [email protected], post on my Facebook page or send a tweet, using the hashtag #LopataComps.


 

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Coming up... a few opportunities to see me speak at an event coming up soon:

  

28th September 6.30pm-9pm - How to develop a successful referrals strategy at the Swedish Chamber of Commerce UK. Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, Portman Square, W1.

http://www.scc.org.uk/index.php?page=eventsSCC&event=310  

 

12th October 11am - Word of Mouse - Using LinkedIn as a referral tool at SageWorld. EventCity, Manchester. 

http://www.sageworld2011.co.uk/  

 

13th October 11am - How to network with confidence at SageWorld. EventCity, Manchester. 

http://www.sageworld2011.co.uk/ 

 

26th October 8.30am - Discussing Recommended: How to Sell Through Networking and Referrals at Like Minds Business Book Club. The Hospital Club, 24 Endell Street, London WC2H 9HQ. 

 

27th October 7pm - Host of the Camden and Islington Business Awards. Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. 

http://cibawards.com/  

Enchanted forest

Just for Fun


A few missed notes but hey, you can't have everything!

This ad is quite stunning on so many levels. 
The Sound of the Forest
The Sound of the Forest
 
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, or you are interested in booking me for a speech or training session for your team, find out more details on our website or you can contact me on:

 

Tel: 07930 417833
Skype: andylopata

 

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Andy




� All material copyright H & A Lopata ltd 2011. All rights reserved.

 

IN THIS ISSUE
Win networking presentation training
How to follow up with everyone as individuals
Do your network know how to refer you?
A forest rhapsody
Recommended
Recommended: How to sell through networking and referrals. 

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Quick Links


Lopata.co.uk

Blog archive

Andy's YouTube Channel

 

'...and Death Came Third!' on Amazon.co.uk

 

'Recommended' on Amazon.co.uk 

 

Andy's Amazon page

 

Networking in Ninety Minutes - Double CD Set  

 

Andy on Facebook

 

Connecting is not Enough on Facebook

 

and Death Came Third! on Facebook

 

Andy on LinkedIn

 

Andy on ecademy

 

Follow Andy on Twitter

 

Business Networking Strategy Group on LinkedIn

 

Connecting is Not Enough Back Issues

 

 

and Death Came Third!
...and Death Came Third!
The Definitive Guide to Networking and Speaking in Public

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Join Our Mailing List

 

Andy's Musings...

  
A selection of Andy's regular online columns and coverage elsewhere:

Harnessing the Social Networking Revolution 

Huffington Post

 

Why a Referrals Strategy is Vital to Modern Business Development 

Fresh Business Thinking

 

That Personal Connection - How Can You Refer People You Don't Know?

Fresh Business Thinking

 

Ten Top Tips for Running a Successful Networking Event (Part One) 

Huffington Post 

 

How Well Does Your Network Understand What You Do And Who You Do It For?

Fresh Business Thinking

 

Is Your Message Sticky, Memorable And Transferable

Fresh Business Thinking

Networking in Ninety
Networking in Ninety Minutes - the Audio Programme

 

In other people's words 

  

"I have to tell you that it was an absolute pleasure to work with you!  Your balance of information, practical interaction and anecdotal evidence was perfect for the delegates - they seemed enthralled!

 

Thank you so much for the copy of your book which arrived today - I truly appreciate it!"

 

Tracy Johnson

Marketing Services Director

Eventia

 

"I'm working through the book (second read) and it's enormously useful and tons of really sound advice that is far beyond 'enthusiastic networking' in terms of getting solid results from any networking events.  I've taken lots of notes ( my parents would not let me write in books so I can't bring myself to go to work with the highlighter) and a serious networking strategy is in the making."

 

Lesley Morrissey

Inside News