Networking 101: 11 Tips to 1-on-1 Meeting Success (Part II: The Final Six)

Well I certainly hope you enjoyed part I of this article where I shared with you the first five tips of my “11 Tips to 1‑on‑1 Meeting Success”. To quickly summarize, they were:

1. Come Prepared To Play

2. Confirm the Appointment at least 24 hours in Advance

3. Dress for Success

4. Make It Easy For Them to Find You

5. Be Respectful of Their Time

If you’d like to review them in detail, you’ll find part I of this conversation on my blog the Motivational Marketer’s Journal at www.MotivationalMarketer.com.

In the meantime, as promised, here are the remainder: 

6. Shut-off Your Cell Phone
Unless in dire emergency, nothing screams disrespect more than your cell phone ringing in the middle of a conversation… and you answer it. You say to the person you’re meeting with: “Hold that thought for a second, I’ve got to get this.” Translation to the person you’re meeting with… you’re not important, this call is. 

7. Be Clear About Your Intentions
Why do you want to meet with them? Don’t mislead them with false intentions. Is this just a meeting to get to know one another better? Or is this a sales meeting where you’ll be introducing your products and services? They’re likely to be upset if they’re expecting good conversation and it ends up being one long sales pitch. 

8. Maintain Proper Eye Contact
Don’t look over their shoulder as if you’re waiting for someone better to enter the room. Don’t check them out as if you were looking for a cheap thrill. This is business networking. You’re not hanging out at some singles club. Give them the respect they deserve. 

9. Listen Twice, Speak Once
Translation… let them do most of the talking and really tune in to what they are saying. Lending a true ear is one of the biggest signs of respect. 

10. Take Notes
Before proceeding with this one, be sure to ask for permission. For example you might say: “You’re sharing some very important stuff here. Would you mind if I took a few notes to make sure I don’t forget any of it?” This just oozes respect as well as lets the other person know that you believe what they’re saying is important… a major compliment. 

11. Identify Next Steps
The meeting’s just about over. What now? Where do you go from here? Does it make sense to take this relationship to the next level? How so? Whatever the outcome of the meeting, communicate whatever next steps you feel makes sense… even if it’s nothing.

So in closing, remember it’s all about respect… it’s all about courtesy… it’s all about making them feel important… it’s all about going deep enough to develop a strong rapport. Why? Because people do business with people they know, like, and trust. And in order to create that possibility, you’ve got to be willing to do whatever it takes to earn it.

© 2008 Online Marketing Muscle -- All Rights Reserved.

Want to use this article in your newsletter, blog or web site? You have my blessing so long as you include the following complete blurb with it (including links).

Liked this article? -- Then check out Long Island-based marketing consultant, coach, and entrepreneur Dean Mercado’s highly acclaimed marketing blog 'The Motivational Marketer’s Journal' at http://www.MotivationalMarketer.com. Additionally, for even more small business marketing and success tips, sample the latest edition of his FREE marketing tips newsletter the 'Marketing Minute', -- a weekly multimedia e-zine designed to give you a jolt of marketing wisdom in less than 5 minutes.

Dean Mercado, Online Marketing Muscle, marketing articles, networking 101, networking, meeting success, business professionals, surface networkers

Networking 101: 11 Tips to 1-on-1 Meeting Success (Part I: The First Five)

It’s scary out there! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve encountered so-called business professionals who simply didn’t get it. They simply didn’t get the fact that business is all about people. They simply didn’t get the fact that people do business with people they know, like, and trust. They simply weren’t willing to invest the time and effort needed to develop strong, mutually beneficial, and enduring relationships. Yet they wonder why this marketing strategy called networking doesn’t seem to be working for them.

These types of business professionals are what I call “surface networkers” and there are literally tons of them out there just cluttering up the networking avenues. The good thing about it though, is the vast opportunity it presents to those who really do know how to play the networking game… “players” so to speak…they tend to stand out like a beacon of light.

So you’re out their networking your tail off at a local networking event and you’ve met what you believe to be a “player”. They’re magnetic. They’re charismatic. They just seem to emanate this vibe that makes them irresistible. You reach out to them after the networking event and schedule a 1-on-1 “get-to-know-you-better” type of meeting. Now what?

You want to impress this person. You want to go deep. You want to explore how you may be able to help each other going forward. How can you make sure you give yourself the best chance of accomplishing that? Well here in part 1 of this 2 part series are the first 5 of the 11 tips that can help you do just that. So here goes: 

1. Come Prepared To Play
For starters, Google them. Check out their web site. Read their current news letter. Do they have any current press releases? If so, read them. In other words find out a little something about them as well as their industry prior to the meeting. This is a sure sign of diligence and respect. 

2. Confirm the Appointment at least 24 hours in Advance
Face it, we’re not perfect. And as busy professionals we can sometimes fall victim to our own busyness. That said… a little courtesy reminder can go a long way.

3. Dress for Success
One rule here; Dress as best you can without making the person you’re meeting with feel uncomfortable. 

4. Make It Easy For Them to Find You
If needed, provide directions to the meeting location. Exchange cell phone numbers. And just in case they may not remember what you look like… and yes don’t flatter yourself, this is a possibility… wear something distinctive and let them know about it (e.g. I’ll be wearing a green tie).

5. Be Respectful of Their Time
Arrive early and wrap it up on time. If for some reason you’re going to be late, give them a quick courtesy call. If the conversation is going so well that it’s about to go into overtime, make them aware of the time and either continue with the meeting (if it’s acceptable to both parties of course) or, break out your calendar and set a follow-up meeting to pick up where you left off.

That about wraps up the first five tips of “11 Tips to 1‑on‑1 Meeting Success”. In part II I’ll share 6 more whoppers that can make or break any meeting. Stay tuned.

© 2008 Online Marketing Muscle -- All Rights Reserved.

Want to use this article in your newsletter, blog or web site? You have my blessing so long as you include the following complete blurb with it (including links).

Liked this article? -- Then check out Long Island-based marketing consultant, coach, and entrepreneur Dean Mercado’s highly acclaimed marketing blog 'The Motivational Marketer’s Journal' at http://www.MotivationalMarketer.com. Additionally, for even more small business marketing and success tips, sample the latest edition of his FREE marketing tips newsletter the 'Marketing Minute', -- a weekly multimedia e-zine designed to give you a jolt of marketing wisdom in less than 5 minutes.

Dean Mercado, Online Marketing Muscle, marketing articles, networking 101, networking, meeting success, business professionals, surface networkers