follow up | | Canadian Small Business Women

May 22 2018

5 simple and effective networking follow up strategies

You’ve attended a networking event, a conference. Now what? You have a pocket full of business cards and no idea what to do with them.

Timing is of the essence when following up with a contact you met at an event. By following up, you solidify the connection and start building your relationship with that person. Following up also gives you a chance to ask a particular question, get more information or arrange a time to call and meet one-on-one.

It’s best to follow up within 24 hours to 48 hours of meeting. Express your appreciation for their time and include details pertaining to the conversation you had. So let’s go over some simple strategies to help you maximize the initial interaction you had with someone.

5 simple and effective networking follow-up strategies

Tell them how you will be following up

Will you call them in a few days? Will you send them an article? Will you call to set up a lunch date? When you tell them what to expect it makes it real for both of you. You will be more likely to follow up because you told them that you will and they are going to be more receptive to it. The best part is that they will often share the best way for you to follow up and will make it easier for you.

Schedule a call and/or a meeting

Suggest a 15-minute phone call that will be of mutual benefit – although you’ll want to focus on how the call will help your new peer. Do some research so your contact knows you did your homework and are genuinely interested in seeing how you can help one another. You can mention a conversation from the event or discuss products, services, trends; anything that might benefit your connection. A lunch or breakfast get-together can be just also be valuable.

Share valuable content

Another great way to follow up is by sharing valuable content. Send an article that represents what you do and/or helps your new contact, not a sales brochure. Ask your contacts if they would like to subscribe to your company’s newsletter to learn more about your products and/or services. Share a resource with them, put them in touch with someone who can be of service to them. Show them that you can bring value. Remember, networking is about giving before getting.

Touch base regularly

Be sure to remind yourself to reconnect with your contact each month. I suggest you create “reconnect files.” They are handy, color-coded reminders that you can schedule once a month. Include some information about how you met and what you’ve discussed in the notes. When that name pops up each month, reach out to catch up, maybe set up another meeting, or send something that might be valuable, like an invite to another event, a great article or an introduction. When you follow up regularly and share information of value after meeting someone you become someone they trust. You will naturally build a solid relationship and before you know it the cards on your desk will become your best clients and partners. Stay in touch, but don’t overdo it. Too much connecting can kill your efforts.

Link in on LinkedIn

Since LinkedIn offers so many opportunities to keep your contacts front-of-mind for you (and you to them), what’s the harm in connecting and seeing them pop up in your email on their birthday, when they have a work anniversary, or get a new job? All these are occasions for follow-up.

What’s your plan for following up after your next networking event?

Women’s rights advocate and gender equality specialist, Darine BenAmara has dedicated her career to supporting other women. She is an international speaker, writer and advocate. Darine has significant international experience advancing women in leadership, leading global diversity and inclusion programs and advocating for women at work. Inspired by the many women she met, she designed “The Smart Woman”, an initiative helping women to overcome the challenges of networking and learn how to create smart connections to fulfill their career goals.

Connect with Darine on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Smart Woman newsletter for more networking tips.

Mar 21 2018

Network and Thrive

Even though it’s 2018 and much progress has been made, it’s no secret that professional women are still at a disadvantage in the workplace. The same is true of entrepreneurs.

The glass ceiling is holding strong

While progress has been made over the last decades and even more over the past few years, the glass ceiling is still stubbornly holding strong.

This is why networking, an important component of any professional’s career, is even more important when it comes to women – whether they want to climb the ladder to the C-suite or start their own business.

Networking is the most influential and efficient way to raise your profile in the business and corporate world. However, networking will only help you if done strategically.

At this point in history, men entrepreneurs (on average) are more successful than women entrepreneurs (on average) at growing their businesses. To be as successful as the men, you do have to do something you can do but that many women don’t: Build a strategic network

Top 8 networking tips for women

Be Yourself: If you are guarded, people will not get a sense of who you really are and it will be difficult to connect with you. Bring your smartness and uniqueness to light.
Be passionate about what you do: if your personal values don’t line up with the product or service that your company sells, you need to leave the organization or to do something else. How can you passionately talk about your business when networking if you are not excited about it. If you are not enthusiastic about what you offer, others won’t be interested in what you stand for.
Take it one step at a time:You won’t amass a huge network of contacts overnight. Researches have found that just ten minutes a day is all it takes to make a big impact on the size and quality of your network.
Do your research:The internet is a mine of information, and finding you have something in common with people you’re about to meet is gold. A quick online search can tell you that you went to the same university or have a connection in common.
Don’t avoid men: Many women have a tendency to go to functions that only other women will attend, which limits the benefits of networking. You need to think strategically and make as many valuable connections as possible to further your success. And the best way to do so is with women and men.
Help them to help you:It’s as important to be found as to find others. Having an up-to-date LinkedIn profile (including a professional headshot) makes you much more likely to be approached by new connections.
End as you mean to go on:You may only have one chance to make a good first impression, but you can undo all your good work if you make a bad exit. Say a proper “goodbye” and follow up the next day to make sure your new contact remembers you for the right reasons.
Follow-up: We know that the follow-up is key to cashing in on your networking efforts, but this is one of the greatest areas of missed opportunity because people don’t make time for it and then wonder why they didn’t get the deal.

Don’t just limit yourself to local, in-person networking gatherings if you want to see the best options and most opportunities in the field you’re playing in. Consider newer, more effective alternatives to networking that can take you and your business to unprecedented territories.

Connect with Darine on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. Visit The Smart Woman website.

May 24 2017

10 tips to Rock It at your next Craft Show

Starting out a crafting business can be scary. Most of us start online through an Etsy shop (or something similar). A great way to gain exposure for your company is to showcase at local craft shows and fairs. It’s an opportunity to network and give customers a chance to see, smell touch your products.As we begin a new year, I thought it would be a good time to share my 10 TIPS TO ROCK IT AT YOUR NEXT CRAFT SHOW:

#1 GOT CHA: You have 3-5 seconds to grab a customer’s attention.

#2 DISPLAY: Space, Clean, add height or risers to grab the customers eye.

#3 DEMO YOUR PRODUCT: (ie. if you sell jewellery wear it, demo your products if you can) – have a sample out that people can touch, feel, taste.

#4 WHO ARE YOU? When a customer walks by do they know who you are and what you’re selling? Think about a banner or a sign.

#5 ATTRACT: Attract Customers to your booth – Free samples, Candy, games, prize draw.

#6 ADVERTISE: Tell your contacts what booth you’ll be at; maybe offer your present customers a discount for coming to the event. This is where social media and your mailing list comes in handy.

#7 SMILE: Be friendly, start conversation ‘hello’, SMILE (there is nothing worse than a vendor that seems uninterested, grumpy or bored at their booth, it turns away customers).

#8 PRICE IT RIGHT: Vary price points (for example you may have a piece that is $100 but also make sure you have something in the $20 range or lower to grab impulse buys).

#9 BUILD: Have a mailing list on your booth so customers can sign up. It may lead to a future sale and it helps build your client list.

#10 FOLLOW-UP: Post event follow-up with everyone you meet (promptly after the show). It can be as simple as a quick “Thank-you for visiting my booth”.

Jacqueline Hunter is the Director at Craftadian. In addition to hosting annual Craftadian Handmade Markets, Jacqueline is a resource for Handmade Business owners by offering online courses, work shops and support. She showcases, supports and promotes Canadian artists, artisans and designers.

Connect with Jacqueline

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Email

Jan 24 2017

9 Steps to Creating a Perfect Customer

You made a sale – congratulations. Before you hand the customer their purchase, make sure you have the tools to effectively contact the customer again. Get your customer’s information!

Customers buy from people they like, know and trust. The customer already likes your product (and hopefully you). Step back and get to know your customer, so they will trust you and come back for more. Did you know that your BEST customer is an EXISTING client.

Here are 9 simple ways you can create a perfect customer, build a relationship and keep them coming back for more.

DURING THE SALE

1) Get their information: Ask for their email address

2) Get their information: Ask for their mailing address (you’ll find out why … see point 6)

3) Get their information: ask for their birthday (see point 7)

4) Note their purchase (listen): write a note for yourself (Ms. Smith, purple necklace for her sister)

AFTER THE SALE

5) Follow-up and make it personal. It takes 30 seconds, and will make your customer feel good (and potentially come back for more).

Hi Ms. Smith.

Thanks for stopping by my booth today at the Made by Hand Show. I hope your sister loves the purple necklace as much as you do.

Sincerely

Sarah

6) send a handwritten thank-you… our mailboxes are full of bills – treat your customer to a hand-written card. A short simple note is perfect.

MONTHS after the sale:

7) You know your customer’s birthday … and send them something special on their birthday. This could be months from when you initially met them, but this little interaction will keep you fresh in their minds.

8) Be an expert. You have their information, send them something interesting. Trending colours, new jewellery techniques. Maybe even a how-to or DIY.

9) Special Occasions. Remember your customers year-round. Mother’s Day is coming up … what a perfect chance to wish your customers a Happy Mother’s Day, or send a sample or gift.

Written by Jacqueline Hunter (Show Director, Made by Hand Shows)

Image courtesy of imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Connect with Jacqueline

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Email

Apr 29 2015

The Biggest Mistake Made When Networking!

A few months ago I attended a networking event where someone walked up to me, and the first thing they did was give me a business card, spoke barely a few words and walked away, and I noticed they did the same with others, distributing their business card. I was at another networking and business event, where someone brings out a BIG bundle of business cards to give me one, and this left me speechless, but with a strong desire to revisit the art of networking.

Considering the amount of information out there on effective networking, one could be forgiven for assuming the art of networking would be common knowledge. The biggest mistake that unfortunately is still happening is when people see networking as an opportunity to ‘sell’, ‘promote’ or ‘get’ as much possible to their benefit.

Networking can be described as the process of interacting or engaging in communication with others for mutual assistance or support. Note the word ‘mutual’? When networking is done properly, its benefits can be endless, and includes making business contacts, establishing new friendships or relationships, or seeking advice and information.

Networking is not a race to distribute as many business cards or get as many cards as possible. Yes networking is effective for building your professional career or business, and I can testify to having great results from networking, but this happened when I was being present in the moment, being authentic, and interested in the other person.

From my own experience, trainings attended and reading done, one key point that cannot be overemphasised is that ‘Networking is about building Relationships’. Only in getting to know someone and vice versa can a need be met effectively. We need to change our mindset from focusing on not just what we can get, but to also what we can give. The law of nature and reciprocity has proven that in giving we are bound to receive.

How to Network Effectively

Prepare beforehand by having a positive attitude and think of what you would like to achieve from attending i.e. meet two new people today. However, keep an open mind at the event, which could open you to receiving more than you expected.
Have your elevator pitch/speech ready on how to introduce yourself effectively; short, to the point and effective.
If you feel lost, nervous or struggle to join a group that is already in conversation, find someone on their own and introduce yourself.
Develop the art of small talk; start a topic in relation to the event you are presently at, a related current affairs topic or admire something about the person you want to start the conversation with. Some simple conversation starters include ‘great event…’, ‘Is this your first time here…’
Listen and focus your attention on who you are talking with, imagine how you would feel if you were talking with someone and they are constantly looking around or at their cell phone.
Use open-ended questions that will help keep the conversation flowing, as opposed to closed-ended questions that solicit a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.
When you receive a business card. Write a note on it to help jog your memory for the next time you look at the card.
Make sure you follow up after events; it could be call to say hello or how well you enjoyed meeting them. This helps to create a connection that you can work towards building.
Networking does not start and end with formal events, you can also network effectively at social events and online on social media.

We are constantly faced with opportunities to network in the many facets of our lives, and what you do with your opportunity has the capability to positively and significantly impact your life or not.

Share some of your networking stories or tips with us below. What do you think of Networking?

To learn about Yvonne’s latest book on Changing your Mindset for greater results, visit http://www.oliveblue.com/changeyourmindset/

Yvonne is an Author, Speaker, Change Consultant & John Maxwell Leadership Coach who is passionate about working with Individuals, Entrepreneurs and Organisations to help implement change they want and achieve their goals.

She can be reached at: www.oliveblue.com . www.facebook.com/oliveblueinc . www.twitter.com/oliveblueinc.www.youtube.com/ChangeYouWantTV

May 04 2014

Business Meeting Etiquette

Business meetings are a great way to share information, regroup and discuss upcoming projects and initiatives. Meetings are usually between 1-2 hours long (can be longer in some cases) so it’s best to be prepared and maximize the meeting time you do have.

Here are a few etiquette tips for a successful business meeting :

1. Schedule your meeting well in advance
Make sure you provide enough notice for your meeting so participants can make themselves available. External meetings should be scheduled 2 weeks in advance. Internal meetings can be scheduled on shorter notice, 24-48 hours in advance. Try to choose a location that is convenient for all parties involved; a familiar place that is fairly close to everyone and has the same amount of travel time, if required.

2. Confirm your meeting ahead of time

Although you provide adequate notice for your business meetings, it’s always a good idea to confirm your meeting date and time. This should be done 24 hours before the meeting for external meetings, and 2-3 hours before the meeting time for internal meetings. If you’re a participant you can also contact the host or meeting chair to confirm your attendance.

3. Set an agenda

An agenda lets all participants know what to expect at the meeting. When participants know what will be discussed ahead of time they can prepare whatever materials they need for the meeting and optimize meeting time. Agendas should be sent out prior to the meeting (about a week in advance for external meetings and a day in advance for internal meetings).

4. Arrive early if you’re the host

If you are hosting or chairing the meeting arrive a few minutes before your co-workers or participants. This will give you time to make sure the meeting room is ready so you don’t take up meeting time re-arranging chairs or looking for stationary.

5. Power down

When you’re at a meeting your cell phone should be on silent and kept off the table. Resist the temptation to check your phone. Texting, emailing or even accepting calls during a meeting is extremely rude and unprofessional

6. Don’t Chit-Chat

Although some meetings can get a little boring and mundane avoid engaging in your own private conversation with someone during the meeting. This is distracting to other participants and very disrespectful to the meeting chair or host. Maintain eye contact with whoever is speaking and give them your full attention.

7. Take minutes

Minutes help participants keep track of exactly what went on at a meeting. Having a designated minute taker ensures all meeting proceedings will be noted and tracked. Minutes should be distributed 24-48 hours after the meeting so it’s still fresh in the participants’ minds.

8. Follow up

You should always follow up with your meeting participants a few days (24-48 hours) after the meeting. This can be done via email or over the phone. Make sure everyone understood the purpose of the meeting, address any questions that may arise, and review delegated tasks or projects if any.

Praveeni Perera is the CEO and co-founder of Professional Edge Consulting a corporate training company based in Ottawa offering training and coaching services to clients around the world. She can be reached via Website, Twitter, Facebook or her Blog.

Feb 19 2014

Mind Your Own Business. The Best Advice You Will Ever Get.

I know, it sounds a little rude and at times somewhat arrogant. I’m sure you’ve had it said to you or overheard it in conversations in earshot. “Mind your own business” If you’re like me, you probably responded or thought, “Excuse me?” The statement has a sting to it that truly takes a bite at your ego and may cause you to act negatively towards the person delivering it.

But if you take a step back, and remove it from the personal arena,” Mind your Own Business” is one of the most valuable piece of advice you will ever receive, especially in business. If you think about it, you are in business, your business. Shouldn’t you be minding it? Putting all your focus and energy into it?

It’s actually a positive rather than a negative. Too often, small business owners like you and I are so caught up looking into the competition that we lose sight of our own. It’s one thing to research to understand your competition. I mean, you have to know what they are doing in order to formulate your strategies to corner your place in the market, but you have to avoid getting blindsided. Nothing requires more attention than your business. To ensure you put this advice to good use follow these simple rules:

Be Organized—is essential to everything. Put things in perspective. Keep things in order. Know who the players are. Know where you need to be. Keep a master TO DO list. Delegate. Designate.
Keep Focused—your business is your focus. Everything you do and say and breath is your business. Don’t allow distractions (especially negative ones) at home, in business, or at play.
Stick to the Plan—go to your business plan often, as a reminder, as a check-point, as a gauge. Pinpoint where you are at and where you a going. Update regularly as business develops.
Follow Up—with leads, opportunities, people, places and things.
Network Outside your Industry—so important. Some of your best contact and creative ideas may very well be just outside your industry. Take your observations and knowledge and bring it back to your business to see how you can enhance and improve.
Learn to say NO—don’t be a “yes-preneur”. Being able to say NO allows you to weed out people, place and things that may lead you away from your business.
Remember Why—Remember why you started your business. Your vision. Your mission. Your goals. Your Life.
Ask for help—you cannot do this alone because entrepreneurship can be lonely. Gather the troops and ask for their help and support.
Grow with It—your business is not what it was the day you started it. As your business grows you have to grow with it. Learn what works and what doesn’t and understand why.
Go with your Gut—it rarely fails. It’s usually right. It keeps you accountable and responsible. Your head and your heart can often lie, but your gut never lies.

The next time someone tells you to “Mind your own business”, simply reply “Thanks, I think I will”.

Rose Nixon, is Your “Anything” Organizer, Chief Professional Organizer and Principal Owner of ReallyOrganizedNow(RON), A Professional organizing company that brings Mindful Solutions for Stress-Less Living. Rose knows that Life can be stressful enough without having the added burden of Disorganization. Rose also knows that when you’re Organized you Smile more. You are more pleasant to be around. You enjoy people, places and things with greater ease, comfort and focus. Rose helps active women and families find solutions and support to Stress-Less and Live More. She helps them BE ReallyOrganizedNow. Are you ReallyOrganizeNow?

Contact Rose on social media

https://www.facebook.com/reallyorganizednow

https://twitter.com/roseKNOWSron

http://www.youtube.com/user/ReallyOrganizedNow/videos

http://about.me/reallyorganizednow

Jul 22 2013

Basic Business Networking 101

There are a variety of business networking experiences out there. There are the free groups on MeetUp, the weekly breakfast or lunch referral clubs, the evening mixers, and even events based around themes or trade-shows. The fact is there is no “right way” to network. All of these work some of the time and all of these will have events that are duds as well.

One of the biggest mistakes that we see business owners making is that they don’t put a full effort into the networking process and then don’t get the full benefits out of their experience. The reality is that many businesses increase their bottom line by thousands of dollars a year by participating in networking. When it is done well it can be a simple and enjoyable way to bring new, vibrant leads and excellent clients into your business.

Here are a few basic tips to get you started:

Go to different kinds of networking events regularly. Make networking a part of your marketing plan. There is magic in seeing people face-to-face and having the experience of connection.
Talk about them more than you talk about you.Dale Carnegie said, “people don’t care about what you know until they know how much you care.” While it is natural for participants to ask you about what you do, they really want to talk about what they do. So let them talk. If they ask you about your business say something quick in 30 seconds and then ask them another question about what they do. Keep them talking for a few minutes and then when you exchange business cards let them know that you found them interesting and that you would like to continue the conversation at a later date. Book the appointment on the spot or call them next week.
Smile. Enjoy yourself. This is not supposed to be a painful exercise. It is visiting enjoyable people and talking about things that you love to talk about. Let your face know that you are happy inside and that will let others know that you are approachable and interested in them.
Move around the room if you are able. Some networking events only allow you to sit in one spot, so sit in a different spot when you can. Get their early to meet others who are early and serious about their business. Sometimes you will be able to book two sales appointments before the meeting even gets started. If it is a standing event like a beer and wings night at a lounge, move around. Talk briefly with one person while staying fully engaged in what they are saying. Thank them for what they share. Exchange cards and then move around the room to meet others. Be careful not to interrupt conversations in process but stand by waiting for an opportunity to ask a question about one of the others speaking.
Follow up.There is no point in networking or in even having a business if you are not going to be an avid follow up artist. Most sales do not transpire until after the 7^th touch. That means if you quit talking to them after they said “no” or after they did not look interested, you are working against your own success. After one meeting with you they still don’t even really understand who you are or what you do. So develop follow up strategies that work for all of your levels of engagement. After a networking event give them a phone call and book a coffee. Send them a card. Then add them to your social media channels. Connect with them on LinkedIn. If you “like” their Facebook page and make a positive comment they will usually then say “yes” to a friendship request as well. Follow them on Twitter and they usually follow back. These are ways that they will continue to see your ongoing content and be touched by you over and over until eventually they call you for business. These things all create a funnel of activity that potential clients will fall into and your bottom line goes up as a result.

Kerry George is the owner of the Canadian Imperial Business Network which is currently the largest business network in Alberta and rapidly expanding across the country. She is a serial entrepreneur/author and speaker with a zest for life and a passion to help others succeed in increasing their potential and their bottom line. Kerry has several publications and blogs that you can follow and welcomes most interaction online.

Twitter: @createloyalty2U, @CIBNtweets, @yycbiznetwork

Blogs

http://loyal2u.blogspot.ca/

http://calgarybiz.net/blog-3/

http://kidsincowtown.wordpress.com/

http://loyal2u.ca/category/social-media-2/linkedin/

Stay Social with Canadian Small Business Women: