Networking activities take place every day and everywhere. These networking activities fall into three distinct categories: Face To Face, Electronic Encounters, and Social Media.
Face To Face:
Face to face networking takes place when you are out and about with people. There are different formats for meeting face to face.
- Structured Networking: This includes organizations such as Toastmasters, Rotary, Lions Club, or organizations like AmSpirit Business Connections.
- Networking Events: These are generally trade shows, volunteer activities, business after-hours, Chamber events, seminars, and even social events like tailgates.
- Free-Form Networking: More casual in nature, these include a round of golf, meeting over a cup of coffee, or just an impromptu get-together.
Electronic Encounters:
With respect to networking in the modern age, much of what you can do face to face, you can accomplish via ELECTRONIC ENCOUNTERS. More specifically, you network over the phone, by email, and through texting. Remember networking is more than selling and prospecting. It is two or more people working towards their mutual benefit. That is sharing referrals or contacts, passing on information, being encouraging and supportive.
Social Media:
Finally, in the 21st century, technological innovation has given way to social media websites. These are nothing more than virtual venues where you can network. Again, places where you can share referrals or contacts, pass on information or be encouraging and supportive.
The three main social media applications are LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Beyond these are dozens and dozens of others. Used properly, social media allows you to network on a massive scale. You are connected worldwide 24 hours a day / seven days a week. And you can be prepared with incredible information about your networking partner before you even make contact.
Whichever networking activities you choose to participate in, remember to Give First, Get Second and that Every Contact Has Opportunity.
Learn more about networking and AmSpirit Business Connections at www.amspirit.com