How To Increase Your Networking Receptivity

Posted on | March 18, 2010 | No Comments

How can you make business professionals more receptive to you and your message? Everyone is tired of another sales pitch, another pretentious business conversation, and another meeting under the pretense of helping each other out when really you just want to pitch your opportunity.

We have our guards up because this is what most of us are you are used to. To break down the walls that most people put up will require someone very adept at these skills. It requires someone who knows how to increase receptivity with every encounter.

So given that, how do you make yourself more receptive during the networking process? Some tips below. I’ll probably keep adding along the way as I think of them.

Don’t talk first. Let them talk first. You can then customize your message in accordance to who they are as a professional. They’ll be more receptive to your message when you’re able to tailor it in accordance to who they are.
Think and approach with win/win in mind. If you want to arrange a follow up meeting, do it with the intention of both of you coming out ahead. Don’t set up a meeting under the pretense of helping each other out but really, you just want to talk about your business.
Follow up. Follow up with a simple thank you note. No need to push your business that hard in the follow up email. It turns people off. You’ll be better received in the future because you didn’t come off so pushy.
Ask for partnerships, not leads. This requires a separate entry all unto itself. But most people don’t have leads to share. I mean really, do I look like I have people asking me if I know of a loan officer to help them with refinancing their home? They get tired of being asked for leads by a complete stranger. It’s less threatening and more productive to ask if they know people who might be good referral/alliance partner to you. This is win/win at its best. Why go for the fish when you can get the whale?
Take notes during the conversation. People are impressed if you take the time to jot down notes while talking to them at the networking event. It shows you care and are attentive. They’ll be more receptive to helping you as well.