What does networking really mean? Well, to me, networking is simply, again, marketing yourself! Getting out there, letting people know who you are. It doesn’t matter if you’re a shy person or a person who’s very vivacious. You can network through the Internet without ever having to speak to anybody. There are lots of ways that you can network, but you must believe in yourself. Networking can be fun, that’s why I suggest at this seminar, and at all of my seminars, everyone bring their business cards and network together. “Hi, my name is Michele Blood, and I have a wonderful product line called MusiVation. This is going to help you be richer, happier, and more successful. Please take my business card and go to my Website.” That’s networking, but it’s also marketing. It’s marketing myself; it’s marketing my product. When you network, you are networking for a reason-to let people know what your product or your service is.
Listen to people when you’re networking. It’s not always about you. Listen to them. Give your little two-minute spiel and then listen to them. Find out what other people want when you’re networking. Be a good communicator. Let them know that you’re there for them. When you look into their eyes, say silently, “I love you, I’m here for you.” People will feel your love.
I feel that a lot of networking people don’t even look at me as a person. They just simply want to get me…they look at me as money, not even as a customer or as a person. I love to remember to say, “No person, place, or thing is my source. My source is from God.” Therefore, when you’re meeting people and networking, you’re not looking at them as though they’re your way of making money. You’re looking at them as another soul that you’re connecting with when you network. And, they’ll feel that. You never, ever have to run after people and hassle them. Just be open, get your product out there, and network with people in a natural, lovely way.
Go to different seminars and always remember to bring your business cards. Go to social events, business events that are going to help you. Small business association lunches, lots of places. Network yourself; let them know who you are and what you can do for them. Give things away. Say, “I really like you. I’m a great masseur, and I’m going to give you a free massage.” Give things away, have contests. It’s wonderful fun giving things away, and it’s a great way of networking. Network, network, network! Give discount vouchers for your product or service when you network with people. “Hey, call me and when you are ready to do blah, blah, blah, take this discount voucher.” There are lots of things that you can do to network.