Handshakin'
  • Home
  • Services
  • About
    • About Our Coworking Space
    • About the Founder
  • Contact
  • Blog

Handshakin Networking - Make it About Them

2/2/2015

 
An invaluable marketing tool for small businesses is networking. Unfortunately, many who are just starting out don't fully understand what business networking is. BusinessDictionary.com defines networking as follows:
Picture
Creating a group of acquaintances and associates and keeping it active through regular communication for mutual benefit. Networking is based on the question "How can I help?" and not with "What can I get?"

The most important part of this definition is the one that is most often overlooked. Networking is not about what you can get out of it. It's about how you can help. But the fact that this part of networking is often ignored is a potential boon to those who embrace it. In most, if not all, of his speeches and seminars, Zig Ziglar said;

"You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want."

That's what Handshakin Networking is all about. By approaching people at networking events with a sincere desire to help them further their own business ambitions, you're creating a relationship where they'll likely want to return the kindness.  Don't believe that if you help someone that they'll help you back, but do believe that the more you help others, generally, the more help you'll receive.  As entrepreneurs with an above average risk tolerance, this give us a competitive advantage.  Risk helping someone today who will never help you back.  

The best way to start the process is to ask people you meet to tell you about themselves and their business. It's like an elevator pitch in reverse. Only, instead of their eyes glazing over while you talk and they wait for an opportunity to give their pitch, they get to go first.

People love to talk about themselves and their business. And, if you give them that opportunity without subjecting them to your spiel, they'll come away with a very favorable impression of you, even if you never utter a word about yourself and your business. In the process, you will most certainly exchange business cards. By doing that, you will solidify the beginning of a relationship. Watch for our upcoming post"Handshakin Networking - Following Up" for ideas on how to nurture that relationship.

To hear about our next post, sign up on our informal list.  We also invite you to follow us on Twitter.

    Picture

    Handshakin Blog
    By: Matt Holmes

    Matt Holmes
    (@handshakin) 
    is an entrepreneur, speaker, and world record holder for the world's longest handshake.

    About Matt

    As seen on:

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Aspiring Entrepreneurs
    Lessons From Guests
    Networking
    Tech Startup Tips

    Archives

    October 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014


    RSS Feed

Get Involved

Pitch Your Startup
Co-working Space
Podcast
Handshakin Video Series

Store

Work for Handshakin'

Internships
Most Popular Blog
Handshakin Values
Contact 
Contest 

Free Websites
Picture

Legal/Other

Press 
Legal
Real Estate
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
© Holmes-Holdings, 2017.  
​All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • Services
  • About
    • About Our Coworking Space
    • About the Founder
  • Contact
  • Blog