Sunshine Coast Business Networking

While an awkward meeting between two people is cute and endearing in the movies, in scriptwriting terms, these are called “meet cutes”, in the real world of business networking all it means that your business or service is DOA before you’ve even had the chance to pitch.

There are a lot of “experts” that are going to share how to do the “perfect” intro, and possibly they would tell us that we use to make quotation marks in our sentence about them, but we are going to step away from perfect and just own the heck out of the room. Let someone else settle for perfect. This is the formula for doing intros like a boss!

What is it about?

So, you have the chance to meet a big shot, maybe even someone with deep pockets just itching for that next investment, you want to impress them. Not only do you want to impress them but darn if you want them to like you. Well, here’s the long and the short of it, it’s not about you. I know, it stings a little. There is plenty of time to get to know each other and share that really awesome anecdote about that business trip you took, but this about what your business can do for them. It’s a networking event, not a blind date. The best piece of advice a business coach ever gave me was that when someone asks you about what you do, what they are really asking is “do I want to use this service or product?”.

Tell them EVERYTHING!

“It started with an idea…and now here’s my 182-point business marketing strategy. Page one..” and you’ve already lost them. While it might seem like you need to share every aspect of your business with someone, it might be a bit much on the first meeting. Coming up with a compelling “elevator pitch” is the key. A simple, but interesting, who-what-when-where-and-how that will let them know that you are about results, not about retelling your entire history.

Facts vs Confidence

It should come as no surprise that you need to be confident in what you say. If someone walked up to you and told you that the sky was blue, but they were very unsure about it, you might be as well. On the flip side, someone might come up and tell you that the sky is plaid and while you know it isn’t, their confidence and charisma might make you hesitate for a second. That’s the kind of moxy that you need to share when you are making your boss-like intro. While you should never misrepresent your business, as those kinds of white lies will come out in the end, you could always confidently embellish the truths to get that hook.

You might also be interested in: How to attract interest in your business with only a few words

Sunshine Coast Business  Networking – Tips, Groups & Events

4 Ways to Attract Interest in Your Business in Sunshine Coast

Some networking advisors will tell you that fewer words are better. This might be true when you are about to fall out of an airplane and want someone to throw you a parachute, but we find that it’s the quality of words that makes all the difference.

An elevator pitch, for the few that don’t know, is summing up your business when you only have a short about of time. This is exactly what you need when you go to business networking events as you want to make an impact but not talk someone’s ear off.

The origins of the elevator pitch is almost exactly what the name implies. Someone had the length of an elevator ride between floors to pitch an idea to someone of power. So how do you make yours land with an impact and not a dull breeze?

Who are you?

Here’s a fun game – try to sum up who you are in one sentence. The sentence should encapsulate your business title and your main responsibility. Example: I am a marketing manager who helps develop social media campaigns for clients.

What’s your mission?

Does your business have a mission statement? How can you condense the message of that statement into a few words? People should get the idea of what the main object of your business in in a few sentences. Example: We work with struggling business to ensure they can clearly find areas of improvement and succeed.

Who do you serve and how are you different?

The business world has never been so flooded as it is now. Let who you are talking to know exactly who you are looking to work with and how you are different from your competitors. Example: We are the champions of small business, anyone with an eye for digital marketing who values input from those in the know. I know how to help because I’ve been them and learn the tips and tricks on how to accomplish huge returns on original and creative campaigns that people are still talking about.

What’s next?

Finish your pitch with a goal, something you would like to get from this discussion. Example: I would love to talk more about this with you and the creative ways we could wow your clients.

Short, brief, and memorable. That’s how you can best benefit from an elevator pitch at your next network event.

You might also be interested in: How to Make More & Better Networking Connections!

Networking Etiquette Tips – Business Networks in Sunshine Coast

There are three types of people at network functions. There are those that don’t know how to talk to people, those that can talk to people, and those that are more akin to bulldozers when they interact with people.

Know how to work the crowd at an event is great for everyone as it ensures that you are not wasting your time or theirs. So, we have come up with a simple etiquette tips for business networking.

Professional

By working on your introduction and a short elevator pitch you will ensure that you are more than equipped for introductions. The key is to keep this professional but friendly. Joking is more than fine and can help break any ice that might be there, however, you need to keep it as clean as if you were talking to someone’s elderly grandmother. People who get too friendly or even borderline offensive with they way they speak might think they are showing comfort with whom they are talking too but could be alienating them and any more potential networkers.

Building trust and relationship

While you are there to promote yourself and your business, networking is not just about you. Make sure that you engage who you are talking to about their business. You never know what you might be able to gleam from their side of the conversation. It’s also very important to be open and honest about your business and even your reasons for coming to the event. These tips will ensure that you build a genuine rapport with the person and let them know that they can trust you.

Narrow your search and keep expectation realistic

We’ve all heard the story of the business person that went to an event talked to everyone and walked away with a million dollars. It’s as made up as the claim I wrote saying “We’ve all heard the story”. Keeping your network to the areas of interest that can help you and your business is key to making sure you don’t waste precious time. Keeping your expectations realistic is also helpful as you will most likely not make a billion-dollar client from a networking event but you will make contacts that might make the opportunity greater.

If you would like some more tips about business networking, contact us as we live for it.

You might also be interested in: The Dos and Don’ts of Handshakes!

How to Network in Sunshine Coast

When you are at a business networking event, or meeting with a client, some things speak volumes about you or them without words being uttered. Obviously, the way you look creates the first impression, the way that you walk and carry yourself is also very important. But are you forgetting something? Did you extend a dead fish, a rock, or did you seal the deal with your handshake?

Think about the last time you shook hands with someone? What did it feel like? Was it firm? Hard? Limp? Sweaty? What did it make you think about that person? How would you rate your handshake? If you are honest with yourself, you’ll know that you do judge a person by their handshake and so do others.

What does a handshake say about a person? What are people meant to perceive from your handshake? Let’s have a look at some of the most common handshakes to see what people think about them.

The dead fish
We’ve all had it and not many people like it. We understand that when it comes to handshakes you should go in like an industrial clamp, but at the same time you have to give a little something. Limp or weak handshakes tell people that the shaker lacks confidence or even worse that they don’t think enough about you to give you a firm handshake. Both men and women respect a firm, but gentle, handshake.

The crusher
Easy there! No need to be aggressive about it! No one is questioning your alphaness! A crushing handshake can give people the sense of an ego problem or a bully, not to mention that if you hurt someone, they are not going to want to do business with you.

The brush off or lingerer
Time is also a factor when it comes to handshake, too quick and you can make the person feel like you are brushing them of and don’t care; too long and it can become needy and off putting.

The perfect handshake says I’m confident, I care about this conversation, and I’m ready to do business. A firm grip, with gentle pressure, keep eye contact, smile and let go after two seconds.

Simple but effective.

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How to Make Better Networking Connections in Sunshine Coast

The old saying of “work smarter, no harder” can apply to so many things, except maybe weightlifting. You’ll never gain muscle no matter how much smarter you are than a dumbbell.

Terrible jokes aside, there is a lot to be said for making other enhance your network experience. While your business might be able to afford to send multiple people to a single event, not everyone has that luxury. While the term “single serving marketers” kind sounds like you don’t care about them it simply means that people that you meet and talk to at an event could do a lot of the leg work for you.

If you “wow” someone with your elevator pitch and follow up conversation and let them know what you are in the market for they will more than likely bring you up in conversation with someone else. If they are having a discussion that sounds like someone you described to them as a “perfect client” and, of course, they are also not looking for that client they might be keen to introduce you to them. This works two-fold because they have found you a lead, and it has endeared them to you and the client. It’s a win for everyone.

Incentivising a conversation might be a way to get the word out as well. If you happen to mention that you are looking for multiple businesses as there might be a discount or a finder’s fee for helping out than that might encourage the other party to not only get the word out at the event but they might continue to do so for some time after the event as well.

Word of mouth is still one of the greatest marketing tools in your arsenal and creating relationships with people at networking events will deliver.

Business Cards Tips – Networking in Sunshine Coast

There is a scene in the film American Psycho where business folks are around the table out doing each other on the quality of their business cards. While we try not to life advice from a film like American Psycho we do take away two things. One, Huey Lewis and the News is a great band; and two business cards are important.

A lot of times, your business care is your first impression, but all of the time your card is a lasting impression. In one little card it will sum up everything your business is and how you represent it. Seems like a lot of pressure for some paper and ink. Luckily, they aren’t sentient and can’t say how much they don’t like the pressure or being in your pocket for days on end. However, what your card looks like can influence how your perceived.

What should your card do?

Stand out

There used to be a time that all business cards look the same. White stock paper with black text. Technology has done some amazing things and business cards can be all different shapes, sizes, and stock. Over the years I have seen everything from round business cards, to USB cards, to sponges and edible cards. Being different helps you stand out from the other business but it must be for a reason. It must be an extension of your brand.

Communication

Of course, a business card should have all of your contact details on them. That’s the core reason that you have them. A great card must also communicate you and your business values and brand perception. Are you edgy and cool are your upmarket and elegant? That should be expressed in your card.

Must keep item

The longer someone keeps your card the longer they will keep you in mind. Make your card a keeper. Offer a discount if they supply your card, make a deal with a local coffee house for a discount using your card. A gimmick with your card will endear yourself and your business to the card holder.

For such a simple item, these tips are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cards. Contact us today for more tips on how to make your business card memorable.

You might also be interested in: Weeks meeting with Team Powerhouse!

Some photo from this weeks meeting with Team Powerhouse..

Great start to the year for team PowerHouse with almost $60K of closed business over the holiday season!

Monthly Stats: Dec 17 – Jan 18

Referrals Passed: 128
1-2-1 Meetings: 51
Closed Business: $59,481

Wow what a killer first year to date (start of April till 5/12) for Team Powerhouse! These superhuman networkers had the top 5 TYCB figures for the year!

5th – Tim Stubbs – Think Smart Accounting – $16,870
4th – Jarrad Mckenzie – Jaz Airconditioning – $20,149
3rd – Shane Hewitt – Procheck Automotive – $21,541
2nd – Alex Robbins – F45 Caloundra – $26,541

And drum roll please ….

Our number 1 For TYCB for 2017, with a massive $93,925 in Closed Business is… Brad Fragar of Unearthed Electrical!! Well done Brad!

Congratulations to some of our newest members on being awarded their certificates for successful completion of the BNI Passports Program! Well done and welcome aboard!