Have you ever attended a networking event with the intention to find connections for someone else? Most likely not because that’s not what we’re taught to do. We’re taught that we should stuff our pockets with business cards, through our shoulders back, put our game face on and let the hunt begin! If we’re able to muster up any courage at all, we walk up to a likely looking stranger and start grilling him or her. What do you do, how long have you done it and gee I’ve got a great product (service) for you that will surely solve all your problems! Wrong on oh, so many fronts. But we’ll cover networking etiquette and relationship building in another blog post.
But think of how much pressure it would take off your shoulders if you went to a mixer or other networking event on someone else’s behalf. You always do a better job when you stop thinking about yourself and think of the needs of others. And that’s one of the key tenets we promote in Pink Passport Society. Uplift and support other women. Help them be successful. Because by doing so, your connections and relationships will also be strengthened and you too will win in the long run.
So for your next event, interview three potential candidates – say for your strategic partner or perhaps one of your clients, armed with the information you’ve gathered beforehand (what is their target market – gender? income? industry? etc.). Prescreen the referrals, get the contact information and if you’re really good, go ahead and set up a date and time to make introductions (because we’re always “going to keep in touch” and then life, work and time intervenes, and another opportunity lost!)
Finally, once you’ve completed this task you’re free to relax and he yourself. And who knows how that will turn out – when you’re relaxed you’re more approachable. Your next client might just walk up and find you! So go out there and try a little reverse networking. You just might like it!
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