Networking Meetings – Tips that helped me be more effective

Welcome to September – we officially re-engage the networking season as people come off summer holidays. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up in making my meetings a more productive:

One: Start each meeting by stating the purpose for meeting - sets the table for the whole meeting

Two: Do a time check after you state the purpose - so you know how much time you have

Three: Save the idle chit-chat to the end, they have agreed to meet and help - use the time wisely

Four: Start with how you can help them - to show this is a true networking meeting

Five: Do your homework - try to have 2-3 contacts that may help them

Six: Keep your pitch short - treat it like a commercial. Get them interested to learn more

Seven: Use a Marketing plan - a great tool to help express the role you seek

Eight: You take all the notes - confirm the actions each of you agreed to - starting with your own

Nine: They pick up the Blackberry or close their notebook - the meeting is done. Says thanks and close it down.

Ten: Send the follow-up note within 48 hours. Put your name in the e-mail title – they will remember you.

Nothing too fancy here – but helped me get loads of connections (a couple hundred!).

Good luck today! (and this month!)

Mark Richards

www.candidateschair.com
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