A lot of people in search for a job think twice before engaging into business networking.  They don’t see themselves as networking material, this is, they don’t believe anyone will have an interest in talking to them or even less take time out of their schedules to help them.

Before you take this path and torture yourself with these thoughts, consider these:

1.    People’s natural instinct is to help.  It comes natural to us.  When you see someone in need, the first thing you want to do is give him or her a hand in any way you can, right?

2.    Most probably the person you are talking to has been in your same situation or a similar one, thus, he or she will relate and will want to give back.  In this time of continuous lay-offs, it is very probable that you will meet someone who was looking for a job not too long ago and was also requesting others for a few minutes of their time.  You are just giving them an opportunity to help others.

3.    Maybe they will see you for their own convenience.  Someone may think you are a future potential networking source.  Good networkers know that building a successful network is a continuous process, and they are always on the look for new faces.

4.    You may have something the other person needs, perhaps information, experience, or connections.  If you have networked before, you may have valuable and relevant information about your industry.  Read professional journals, articles, and books.

5.    When meeting with a manager, see it this way:  this is a part of his or her job; he or she is in the position to identify good talent, and there is no way they can find that talent if they don’t meet the candidates.  There won’t necessarily be an open position right away; however, after meeting you, the manager will keep you in mind for future opportunities.

6.    It is possible that someone knows about a job opportunity but doesn’t mention it to you, and this is a common tactic used to maintain the meeting more casual and to be able to assess you without the pressure and demands of a job interview.

7.    You may impress someone with the way you introduced yourself or with how you talked about your background, and he or she may agree to give you some time because you caught his or her attention.  This is a very good opportunity that we hope you take advantage of to start business networking or begin your own network.

The truth is that people have more than one reason to meet you, so, you have two choices: either you network or you are out of work.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and become bored at meet-and-greet events, business expos and leads groups.  Take a chance and step outside your comfort zone.  Parties and social gatherings can only take you so far in your networking circles.

The following “think outside the box” venues allow you to meet people and expand your networking horizons.

1.    Coffee houses – This is a favorite hangout for the meeting of the minds. Strike up a conversation while you’re waiting in line for your latte.  Even a simple hello or small talk could open up the conversation and lead to exchanging business cards.

2.    Book stores – Book stores attract a wide variety of people. Check out bookstores on the weekends when the store is busy with foot traffic. Bookstores draw large crowds, especially when they host book signings. Sign up for a book club – this gives you another opportunity to meet more people.

3.    Laundry mats – A laundry mat is a unique spot to meet new people. You have a captive audience since people have to wait for their clothes to dry. If your apartment or condo complex has a laundry room on-site, this is great place to meet your neighbors and get to know them better. You’ll never know where the conversation could lead. They might be in need of your products or services.

4.    Grocery stores – When you’re waiting in line, strike up a conversation with the person next to you. Make small talk – pick up a magazine on the corner aisle and comment on current news. People always love to give their opinion and offer feedback. This is a great segue into finding out more about a person.

5.    Gym/fitness classes – The gym or yoga classes are another great place to meet new people. It’s easy to chat about your health/fitness goals with like-minded people. Because you consistently see the same people in your classes or at the gym, it’s easy to find out about people’s lives, jobs, kids, etc.  People are more relaxed during or after a work-out and are more likely to share personal details.

6.    Dog parks – If you’re an animal lover (especially in big cities), dog parks are one of the hottest spots to meet new people. Who doesn’t love talking about their beloved Spot? Talking about common interests, such as animals, helps break the ice.

7.    Kids’ Activities – School functions and sports activities allow you to meet other parents and support your children’s interests. It also opens up a new circle of people you wouldn’t meet otherwise.

8.    Church – If you attend church/a place of worship, take the opportunity to chat with people in your congregation. You may find that you share other common interests, and fellow church members might just turn into your next client.

9.    Volunteer/Charity Work – Charity work is not only a great way to give back to your community, but you meet a diverse range of people as a result of your volunteer efforts. Many professionals enjoy volunteering their time (think charity golf tournaments and gala events) – you might be surprised who you’ll meet!

10.     Airports and airplanes – Airports and airplanes are one of the easiest ways to meet new people and exchange business cards. If you’re on a four hour flight, this is a great opportunity to make small talk with the person next to you. Take a genuine interest in what the other person is doing (comment on how much you like the book they’re reading, etc.) People can spot a fake a mile away – so keep it real.

Whenever you step outside your door, make sure you always have your business cards in your purse or wallet. You never know who you’ll meet that day. When meeting people, always remember to share a common ground and actively engage the other person in conversation.  Make small talk and remember to always listen.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).

Everyone is guilty of leaving the office unprepared – you forget your cell phone and leave your business cards on your desk. Networking is an effective and easy way to build your career, and creates lasting social relationships with people - people who could be your future clients.

Even a small mistake can set you back. Before you leave your office, remember to avoid these common networking mistakes when you meet people. It could be the difference between losing or gaining future business.

#1 Forgetting your business cards – This has happened to everyone. You’re running late and you forget to bring your business cards. When you attend a networking event without your business cards, you look unprofessional and unprepared. Always replenish business cards and keep them in an easy-to-carry business card holder.  A polished-looking business card grabs people’s attention fast. As a result, they’ll check out your website or contact you for more information.

#2 Eating and drinking while networking – If you attend events that serve alcohol, limit your alcoholic beverages or avoid them altogether. When networking at social functions, try to avoid eating and drinking while networking. It’s awkward to juggle plates and cups while trying to shake hands or hand out business cards. It’s also rude and unattractive to talk to someone with a mouth full of food.

#3 Handing out an unprofessional email address – Handing out a funny or cute email address in your social circles is fine, but it’s inappropriate for potential business contacts. If you create an email account and use it for business purposes, make it sound professional. You want people to take you seriously.

#4 Dressing in appropriate clothing – A first impression is a lasting impression. When you attend business networking events, don’t dress down.  Wear business casual attire or professional attire (depending upon the particular event). You want to always come across as professional and the clothes you wear say a lot about you.

#5 Acting passive and not circulating the room– The point of networking is to meet as many people as you can at the event. Even though it’s easy to feel comfortable with one group of people, work the room. Act as if you are the host of the event and want everyone to have a good time – offer to get someone a drink or plate of food. This is a good ice breaker and makes a great first impression. Don’t be passive and sit on the sidelines waiting for someone to talk to you. Walk around the room and introduce yourself to different groups of people.

#6 Monopolizing a person’s time or conversation– Everyone has experienced that annoying person who traps you in a corner and takes over the conversation.  Do not monopolize a person’s time or conversation. The point of networking events is to socialize and mingle. It doesn’t mean latching onto one person for the entire evening. This is a sure-fire way to instantly turn off people.

#7 Coming across as a pompous know-it-all – Don’t be a walking sales pitch. Listening is just as important as promoting your business. To avoid sounding like a pompous know-it-all, ask other people questions about their business. Offer advice if appropriate. While it’s important to market yourself effectively, draw that line between self-promotion and bragging.

#8 Waiting too long to start networking – It’s a common misconception that you have to lose your job before you can start networking. Networking is on-going, and builds and nurtures relationships over time. It’s in your best interest to start networking TODAY. With this unsteady economy, it helps to have as many leads as possible in case you find yourself unemployed. Be proactive and don’t wait too long to start business networking.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).

Everyone has heard about The Secret, world-renowned book and movie that shows you how to attract what you want into your life. As you immerse yourself in busy, frantic schedules you sometimes don’t have time to stop and breathe. When you first meet people, you might walk away from a conversation because you think that person was rude and dominated the conversation.

Do you realize that the person you met is a direct reflection of who you really are? You may be just as rude and dominating as the person you just met.

Have you ever been in a bad relationship and wondered: how did I end up with this person? This is not the person I wanted to attract. However, you did attract that person.
The laws of attraction are simple – who and what you attract is WHO you really are. This same principle applies to networking and how you can attract that perfect client that resonates with who you are.  What you put out there to people is what you will get back in return.

Ask yourself the following questions:

•    Are you negative and critical?

•    Are you the first one to make crass, pessimistic comments?

•    Do you complain about your life and have a “poor me” attitude?

•    Do you feel that everyone is out to get you – customers, colleagues, etc.?

If you find yourself answering “yes” to these questions, then it’s time to re-evaluate your own attitudes and how you view yourself. If you approach life in a critical, negative way, you will attract negative and unhappy people into your business and your life.

Think about your current clients and customers.

•    What do you like about them?

•    What do you dislike about them?

•    Have you accepted clients that you didn’t like and felt they would be more hassle than they were worth?

Even though the economy is tough right now and you can’t afford to turn away clients, it’s important to listen to your initial gut instinct when you meet people.  Here are some easy rules to follow to attract positive, helpful people into your networking circle:

•    Do not surround yourself with people who bring you down or lower your self-esteem. Interact with positive, energetic people.  Feed off their positive energy which only fuels productivity. Being around negative, pessimistic people will only reinforce negative thoughts and destructive behaviors.

•    If you want to attract trustworthy clients and business partners, then practice what you preach.  Be a good role model to others and they will take your ethical lead.

•    Think more about others and less about yourself - show appreciation for the kind, caring people in your life.

•    List the positive qualities and traits you like in others  - send out that message by verbalizing the list out loud or writing the list on a piece of paper. Share that message to the world that you only want to attract positive people into your business.

Remember that you need to first make changes with yourself.  Stop blaming others for what you don’t have in your life.  If you are positive and happy, you will attract positive people into your life – the right people to help you achieve success!

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).

Social media has created an Internet phenomenon and has taken online networking to a dynamic level. Do you ever wonder why social media is so successful? It’s viral and it spreads quickly – just like word-of-mouth spreads quickly in offline networking.

When you meet people for the first time, take a few lessons from the social media gurus and apply their secret tactics to your offline networking strategy.

Secret #1- Social means both talking and listening. Listening is just as important as talking

When you interact on a forum or leave comments on a blog, you first read what the other person wrote and then you comment. If you constantly leave comments about yourself and don’t interact and comment off-topic, you will make a bad first impression.  Other members will ignore you.

This same philosophy applies when you are first introduced to people. You want to learn about them and ask questions. How can you learn about a person if you are constantly talking about yourself? Pay attention, listen and ask appropriate questions according to the conversation topic.

Secret #2- Widgets that instantly find thousands of followers don’t always give the best return on investment

Social media gurus always tout the benefits of handy widgets that automate Facebook and Twitter followers. Do you realize that the 5,000 people you just added probably won’t be interested in your products or services? You just wasted time and money adding people who don’t care about what you’re pitching.

Use this same social media approach when you attend networking events and collect business cards. Don’t just pitch your products/services to just anyone you meet. Talk to people who might actually benefit from what you offer. It doesn’t make sense to attend a networking event filled with seniors if you are a nightclub owner whose target audience is 21 year-old college students.

Secret #3- Freebies don’t always mean more subscribers, BUT worthwhile freebies make all the difference

Freebies don’t always mean instant success. Contests don’t always draw thousands of new members to your site either.  In the social media world, if you make your prize too abstract or unappealing, you will drive away visitors.

This social media tactic also applies to freebies offered in the offline world. If you attend networking events and conduct raffles or contests, make your prizes worthwhile for guests. Target your audience and get inside their heads. You want your guests to actually use the product or service you’re giving away.

•    How will this freebie benefit the contest winner?

•    Will this freebie make them contact me for more services or products?

Secret #4- Don’t scare away others with the “me me me” syndrome

If you start every blog comment or tweet with “I did” or “I want” then you are headed down the “me me me” syndrome path.  Social media is all about helping others. Being an expert in your field doesn’t mean acting like an egomaniac.

If you start every networking conservation with “I” you will be met with glazed over expressions. Don’t be surprised when people make excuses to leave the conversation. Remember the “social” in social media and apply that to your offline conversations. Social means give and take – social doesn’t mean a one-sided, it’s all about me conversation.

Secret #5- Always use professional Net-iquette

Don’t come across as rude or condescending in your Facebook or Twitter updates. You never know who will come across your updates in the cyber world, and how it can come back to haunt you.

This tip should always be applied to offline networking. Always remember to practice professional, ethical etiquette whenever you meet new people. Think before you speak, and remember that you represent your company/business. First impressions make a lasting impression, so always put your best face forward.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).

One of the many benefits of local networking and consistently trying to meet new people involved in your company or organization’s area of interest is the exposure to new people who may be interested in serving on your board of directors.  Choosing candidates for sitting on a board can be challenging, but knowing who to look for is half the battle.

For a Board of Directors to be successful it must have a good working dynamic made up of members who are committed to the growth and development of the organization.  Most board members will have established a strong identity in the local community and will be known for their hard work and efforts to the organizations’ area of interest.   The board should also be diversified to encourage a variety of opinions, outlooks and approaches.  If your organization is in the process of setting up a board of directors, or is just in need of replacing members who have left, this article will provide some tips on how to identify the best potential board members for your group.

Visibility
A potential board member should be well-established and well-known in the community.  He or she should have a reputation as an honest, involved and respected individual.

Insightfulness
You want to find people to sit on your board who are intelligent, open-minded and able to see the big picture in order to serve the board well.  Individuals with a biased or very narrow focus will not likely be able to provide the forward thinking and problem-solving skills that will serve the best interests of the whole organization and the community it serves.

Honesty
Board members must be honest and genuinely interested in the goals and visions of the organization.  An individual who possesses integrity and good ethics will work to promote the cause at hand in only truthful, above board ways and will not stoop to deal making or cutting corners.

Team Player
While an individual’s personality and behavior is to be closely considered for serving on a board, that person must also be able to work well in a team-centered environment.  You want people who can listen well, express themselves well and then work together to solve issues.

Availability
A good candidate for board membership must have the necessary time to dedicate to serving the board, and want to put that time in willingly.  You want to see evidence of the enthusiasm and energy that will be applied to the position.  An individual that needs to be coaxed or prodded into serving on the board will most likely fall short of your expectations in the end.

Strong Convictions
Board members need to believe in the goals of the organization and be willing to stand up for what they believe in.  A strong board needs some members who are not merely observers and passive participants.  You must have some members who are willing to speak up and motivate others with their passion and inspiration

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).

A well-written press release is one of the best business networking tools that you can use. It’s a great way to move your business ahead and open the doors to new opportunities. However, writing a press release is not something many small business owners are comfortable with, and therefore it’s not a task that’s undertaken as often as it should be.  If you think your business could benefit from the publicity of a press release, here are some helpful hints.

o    Just as in any type of writing, to get anyone to read it, you have to capture the attention of the reader right away.  A good “hook” that invites questions, promotes curiosity and makes them want to read on, is a must!

o    Make certain your press release goes out to the right market.  If your business is house painting, a press release that lands in an artist’s trade magazine will not do your business much good.

o    The information in your press release must be newsworthy.  If what you’re promoting isn’t new, different or in some way outstanding, the release will fail to generate any interest.  For people to follow up on a press release, they have to believe they’re going to see something they haven’t seen a thousand times before.  Be new.  Be different.  Be the first.  Be newsworthy!

o    Research what you’re promoting and be ready to back up your claims with statistics, testimonials and facts.  Getting lots of response from your press release will be meaningless if you can’t prove yourself, your business and your product to be everything you have said it is.

o    If your business or product isn’t new, then make certain it is different and include in your press release the ways in which it is unique.

o    Remember your press release is not only meant for your clients or customers.  It is also meant for the media.  Make certain you catch the interest of the media as well.  You must be able to demonstrate how having them cover your story will benefit them and drive business in their direction.

o    Time your press release to tie in with current events whenever possible.  To use the house painting example again, knowing that many people are desperate to sell their homes, you could try using an angle that relates to selling your house fast by dressing it up with a fresh coat of paint.  In some cases, timing can be the most important difference between a press release that works and one that doesn’t.

A well-written and timely press release can add credibility to your business, provide exposure, and even give you the edge on competitors who neglect this cost effective and attention generating form of advertising.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).

Meeting people and organizing a time to get together is a great way to share ideas, make new friends and plan for the future.  However, whenever you organize a meeting it is always a challenge to really engage the attendees and get them talking.  Without this interaction, a meeting can be boring, unproductive and fall just short of a disaster.  So what is the best way to draw people out and get them to be active participants? Consider these ideas:

1.     Try to do a bit of pre-meeting planning so individuals know what to expect.  This can be done by sending an email to those that have responded to the meeting invite.  Ask them to tell you what topics they would like to see covered.

2.    Share your own ideas.  As the organizer or leader of a meeting, one of the best ways to get people to open up is to be open yourself.  If you share your ideas freely, others will be more inclined to follow suit.

3.    Ask for their opinions.  Some people are just too shy to speak up on their own but they are willing to speak out if asked directly.  A lot of times we overlook this little nuance of human behavior.  Some folks just need to be invited to speak.

4.    Never put down the ideas or suggestions that someone has offered.  Their ideas may be different than yours but every idea and opinion has its own value.  Criticism, sarcasm and ridicule are sure-fire ways to stop communication.

5.    Consider the use of a suggestion box for topics to be covered at future meetings.  Sometimes individuals who are too intimidated to contribute within the group will have good ideas to share.  A suggestion box allows them to share those ideas in a more subtle manner.  If they have identified themselves with the suggestion, be sure to thank them in a positive manner when you bring up their idea, so maybe next time they’ll feel secure enough to share openly with the group.

6.    Try not to rush meetings if possible.  If the atmosphere is calm, friendly and relaxed, you may get better results.  Some people take a little while to become comfortable and willing to participate.

7.    As simple as it may seem, if this is a first meeting, name tags are a great idea.  This way, as leader of the meeting, you can direct questions or ask suggestions of individuals by name.  This automatically makes people feel more at ease in the situation and may result in better communication.

8.    Be sure to show appreciation of ideas and input, and thank individuals openly for their contributions.

9.    If future meetings are planned, try delegating different tasks to different members that they can bring back to the next meeting, something like a homework assignment.  This will not only get people involved with the project, it will also give them time to prepare for presenting what they have found at the next meeting.

10.    Make it fun! Dry, dull and boring meetings are not something anyone enjoys!

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).

Networking is an art as much as a business strategy.  It is also a skill that can be learned, and one that you require if you want to be successful in the current business arena.

There are many tricks to networking, however, you don’t have to be a magician to learn this valuable ability, you just have to pay attention to several details and be conscious about the way in which you approach people:

1.    Adapt your attitude
Networking is about helping others; it is a way of life, and as it comes, it goes.  It takes advantage of the laws of the universe, which will always rule it.

2.    Evaluate your network
Be sure to know whom you know.  Make a list of all the people you know, including your hairdresser, the cashier at the supermarket, your mechanic, your accountant, your dentist, and even your favorite waiter.  Important ‘titles’ mean nothing, you never know who will lead you to someone who can truly help you.

3.    Relate to people of all ages and backgrounds who are good professionals
You can learn valuable things from everyone you meet.  You can find mentors anywhere and everywhere.  Offer to help them from the heart, and ask for help confidently.

4.    Form a network before you need something
Attending business networking events, community organizations, or chambers of commerce only when you need them for something is not going to take you anywhere but down.  In networking, you don’t look out for yourself, instead, as you look out for others, the help you need will come your way.

5.    Stay visible
You have to be everywhere and get known.  Say yes to every invitation, even if you want to say no, other successful networkers will be there too.

6.    Become a matchmaker
Help your contacts meet the people who can help them meet their needs.  Only the most powerful people are selfless enough to help others succeed without a personal interest in the match.

7.    Keep in touch
Just call or write to say hi and to ask how things are going.  Invite people to lunch or coffee, just to have a good time learning more about them, no hidden motives involved

8.    Keep people informed
When someone refers you, gives you an idea, or a lead, keep them informed of your progress so that they know to what extent they were useful.  It is just simple, but deep, courtesy.

9.    Value small talk
If you think small talk is BS talk, excuse me, but you’re a snob.  The intelligent networker knows that small talk leads to big talk, because this is how we bond.

10.    Have manners
The best of the best are always respectful, courteous, and gracious, and they always acknowledge others for their help and support.

11.    Reciprocate
Give back your support, help, and advice.  In fact, if possible, be the first to give all these to others, and expect nothing in return.

12.    Follow up
For effective business networking, you have to stay in the loop as to how your contacts are doing after you helped them, in this way; you ensure they will be there for you when your time comes.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).

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Many renowned business writers and self-proclaimed gurus will tell you that the biggest sin in business is not returning a call in a timely manner or not answering an email within 24 hours of it hitting your inbox.

It is obviously clear how being responsive can benefit your business; however, there are certain calls and emails that are not worth your effort.

When you receive a phone message that sounds like an advertisement, because only the name and phone number are left without any meaningful message, you should not answer it.  Equally, if you receive a call from someone you have already worked with and clearly dislike, or from a friend who only contacts you to ask for favors, don’t waste your time.

Laura has a cousin who never picks up the phone herself, not even at home.  Her secretary screens all her phone calls and she never returns a message.  Eventually, her whole family stopped calling her because they got tired of not receiving an answer, and that was probably her intention in the first place.

The same goes for emails.  Do not answer an email if you don’t want further contact with that certain person.  Incredibly, some rude people think they can get away with emailing others they have insulted and still receive an answer.  No, they are not writing to apologize, they are writing because they need something from you.  Resist the urge to give them a lesson in writing or on the phone, it will only lower you to their level and will be a waste of time.  The worst you can do to them is ignore them, because they normally don’t even notice what they have done; they are that disconnected.

The best you can do is distance yourself completely from these kinds of people because, how can you know what they will do next?  Are you willing to risk your reputation by being close to such a dysfunctional person?  Do you care enough to help them see their error?  Probably not.

Normally, it is very clear when you have to reach a point where you no longer answer someone’s calls or emails, and you have to follow your intuition otherwise, you are not honoring your time, energy, and reputation.  When you meet people of different backgrounds and ages, some of their behavior just finds the way to work against them every single time.  That is a message you should indeed receive loud and clear.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.meetingwave.com as the original source).

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