POWER NETWORKING

MODULE 2

THE ELEVATOR SPEECH

Create an elevator speech - a short, condensed story about you lasting 30 seconds to a

minute.

THE ELEMENTS OF A GOOD STORY

Authentic and personalWho you really are What you're passionate

about.

Create different stories for different situations and goals

ACTIVITY:

Draft three possible stories that fit your goal.

Try out all three in practice with friends as well as at real networking opportunities and select the best one.

WHO'S WHO – IDENTIFYING YOUR TARGET NETWORKING PROSPECTS

INTRODUCTIONIn order to benefit in the best

possible way from your networking, you need to identify target prospects, or the specific people you want to meet.

WHO YOU ALREADY KNOW

Who is already in your network?

Write down their names, how you know them, and what you've done for each other in the past.

WHO YOU WANT TO KNOW

Create a profile for the kind of people you want to connect with through your networking.

Make this profile as detailed as possible.

HOW TO CONNECT

Connect with your target prospects by finding them,

approaching them, and telling them your story.

FINDING YOUR PROSPECTS

Research and find out where

your target prospects are and then make it a point to be

there.

Research the people

you're going to

meet BEFORE

each networking function.

 

ACTIVITY: Make 3 lists:

1. Contacts you already have

2. Contacts you'd like to have

3. Power players that can help you reach your goals

Research the best places to connect to your market and create a schedule for visiting them.

POWER NETWORKING – WHAT TO SAY AND HOW TO SAY IT

Prepare what you're going to say when you meet people…and practice.

WRITE A SCRIPT

Write a script for an imagined

conversation to help you prepare.

QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS

Prepare general questions to ask people that you

meet.

OPENING AND CLOSING

Create an opening and closing to your

conversation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Prepare stock answers for questions that

people may ask you.

PRACTICING YOUR CONVERSATION

Practice your conversation with someone else and

get their feedback.

SAYING THE RIGHT THINGS TO THE RIGHT

PEOPLEResearch the people you'll meet at each networking function

beforehand.

It may seem awkward at first, but after you

start attending functions, talking to

others will come naturally to you.

 

ACTIVITY:

1. Draft a hypothetical conversation script.

2. Create a personal FAQ with answers to stock questions.

3. Prepare your own questions to ask, an opening and a closing.

4. Practice with a partner to get feedback.

POWER NETWORKING FOLLOW-UP STRATEGIES AND ETIQUETTE

Networking doesn't get you

anywhere if you don't

follow up with the contacts you meet.

WHY WE DON'T FOLLOW-UP

People often don't follow up because they assume the other party will, but

as time passes, the opportunity disappears.

YOUR FOLLOW-UP SCHEDULE

Plan to follow up 24 to 48 hours

after you meet a new contact.

WHO IS THIS AGAIN?Remind the person of your name and where you met.

If you're following up by email, put as much pertinent information as possible in the subject.

SHOW THAT YOU WERE LISTENING

In your follow-up communication, mention

something specific from the conversation you had with

them.