Let me ask you these questions in order to prompt ideas for taking new contacts from Business Acquaintance to Business Relationship status:
1. Do you really understand this person's business? Have you asked the right questions in order to be listening for an opportunity on this person's behalf? Do you truly know who and what they are looking for?
2. Whom do you know that this person might like to meet, and might generate an opportunity for both of them? I am suggesting you THINK deeply about who you know that could really help this person in their business.
3. If you can't offer this person a referral or a new piece of business, what else might benefit him/her? Would it be an opportunity to speak publicly, or maybe an opportunity to be on a panel?
I am now going to give you 3 direct tips and the benefit to following up and becoming a magnet for better business relationships:
1. Ask someone to speak at an event or maybe have a casual gathering at your home
Benefit: You've helped this person gain visibility in the right arena.
2. Ask someone to contribute to your newsletter or another newsletter you know about that would be relevant to their business.
Benefit: You've helped this person gain visibility and credibility.
3. Ask them if they'd like a recommendation on a professional networking site such as Linked In.
Benefit: Who doesn't want people to be recognized favorably and publicly?
It does take some effort to come up with ways to take a new business relationship to the next level. Getting to know a person on a social level helps to gain trust and credibility. You are more likely to do business with someone you know then someone you don’t. Doesn't it make sense to optimize that investment by taking a little extra initiative and proactively making these relationships rewarding and even productive?
Let me know what you might add to better networking.
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