9 Ways to Connect!

9 Tips to Connect! Links Website Blog Coaching Young Adults Past Newsletters Press As your coaching I want to encourage you to dream wildly, love wholeheartedly, persevere relentlessly, believe in yourself unwaveringly and give abundantly! If you are new this week...welcome...let's make 2010 your best year yet! For a recap of what we've covered so far visit the ARCHIVES. God Bless, Margaret. This Week's Topic: 9 Tips to Connect Dear Friend, "The successful networkers I know, the ones receiving tons of referrals and feeling truly happy about themselves, continually put the other person's needs ahead of their own." ~Bob Burg Are you looking for a job? Looking for clients? Looking for friends? Then perhaps you can use these nine networking tips to your benefit! Have you ever walked into a room and not known a single person? I sure have! It is a scary feeling! Here are some creative ways for you to meet people when you arrive at a function and you don't know a single person in the crowd! Use these 10 tips to make connections and expand your network - personally and professionally! Listen-Listen before jumping into a conversation. Don't rush to change the topic. Make Eye Contact-Make eye contact with at least one person in the group, smile and listen until they include you. Match your posture to theirs. Introduce Yourself-Don't interrupt! Do wait for a pause in the conversation. Initiate Conversation-To do so, you can start by talking about the situation, by talking about the other person or as a last resort by talking about yourself. Engage-If you have something relevant to add to a group's conversation, jump in, and then you can then introduce yourself. Really engage in what people are saying - be perceptive and attentive. Try to find a connection between you and the other person or relate to their conversation Move Around-If you goal is to network - then do it! Move your way through the room. In general terms, try to spend less than 10 minutes with each person or group. Always Close a Conversation-Remember to make eye contact and if appropriate, give a firm handshake hands when you depart. Follow Up-The best networkers are sure to follow up within 48 hours of the event. 24 hours if they are really on their A game! Follow up with a phone call or email. If you discussed something in your conversation that Connect-After the event use social media to your benefit. See if any of your new "connections" are on Facebook or LinkedIn or Twitter. Friend or follow them if you have a genuine interest. Don't waste their time or yours if you don't. Make It Happen The next time you know you will be in a networking environment - use these tips to connect with new faces! Don't be afraid...make it fun! May you be blessed, for you are a blessing! Encourage your friends, family and colleagues by sharing this newsletter with them and invite them to subscribe! Direct them to www.MargaretFortner.com where they can sign up. The "Powerful Living, Powerful You" newsletter is written and distributed by Emerge Enterprise, LLC. Copyright © 2010 Margaret Pundmann Fortner. All rights reserved. www.MargaretFortner.com.