BEING PREPARED FOR NETWORKING

What Do You Take With You Every Day?

When I leave the house, I have a sign on the door leading to the garage with a list of all the things I must take with me:

1. Business cards: how many do I need for the event? Which cards (if I have more than one style that I use) am I taking? Do I have my business card holder in my purse? Do I have a table top holder filled with cards?

2. Flyers: do I have information sheets that I can hand to someone if they have a question about an event I have mentioned, or a benefit of my product, or how to contact me?

3. Samples: do I have samples or examples of my product that I can give to someone who asks? Or do I have examples of the product I am marketing, so people can actually see what they can expect to get?

4. Calendar: I always carry my calendar, so that I can make appointments to follow up with people I meet. If you have your appointment calendar in your phone or PDA, make sure you update it, or sync it with the calendar on your computer daily so it is always up to date.

5. Phone: Yes, I have actually gone off to an appointment without my cell phone. So, be sure to check that off your list before you leave the house.

6. Directions: do you have the address of the appointment you are going to? Have you a map, or directions, or a GPS unit that can help make sure you get to where you are going? Be sure to double check with the person you are meeting to see if there are any snags with getting there. One of the meetings I went to last fall was at someone's home, and both the online directions and GPS unit did not acomodate a closed-off street that made it really tricky to find. Unfortunately my hostess did not alert me to this possibility, and I didn't think to ask.

7. Food/Snacks: if you will be out all day, or past a mealtime, do you need to take some snacks with you? This ends up being an issue for me sometimes, so I usually pack a lunch if I am going to be gone from the house for an extended period.

8. Computer and Computer Accessories: Have you ever left the house with your laptop in its case, and when you got to your appointment realized you didn't have the cords you needed? That can put a real damper on a presentation.

9. Outfitting Your Car: One way to make sure you have what you need is to always carry a portable file or roll-around file in your car that has your materials and/or products. And be sure to put any portable display in the car before you leave for your appointment (see pictures).

When you are this organized your days and appointments will go smoother, but be sure at least once a week to go through your file and restock what you have given away.

Happy Networking.

Kaaren

FOLLOW UP

What is YOUR Score on Follow Up?

Has this ever happened to you?

1. You buy a new direct sales skin care product and the distributor never calls to find out how you like the product?


2. You decide to buy that insurance you know you need, and you never hear from your agent again?


3. You call someone you met at a Chamber event, leave them a message that you are interested in their service or product, and they don't call you back?

As I am out networking with people all the time, I meet lots of folks in direct sales. I want to use their products or services whenever I can, so I can also tell others about them. I cannot tell you the number of times, no one has called me back after I have made a purchase.

Just recently I bought some face wash and day cream from a long-time distributor of a well known company. I have never gotten a call or card from her either thanking me for being a customer, or to ask if I have any questions, or to see if I need more product. So now I am shopping for another representative of her company to buy products from.

Or how about my insurance agent, who, because she had a baby and left the company, handed me off to another agent. The latter sent me a letter several months ago to say she would be calling, and then I get a call a couple of days ago to see if she can SELL me more insurance! Ugh.

So how can we turn this around so WE remember to treat our customers, clients, and contacts better perhaps than we have been treated?

1. Send people a note or card after you meet them, if you want to get to know them better. Folks who go to networking events meet tons of people, and YOU want to stand out from the crowd, so you need to do what others don't.


2. When you make a sale, call the person a few days after they have started using your product to see if they have any questions or concerns. You stand a much better chance of making sure the person continues to buy from you, or continues their autoship.


3. Always carry business cards, and forms or a notebook with you, so when you meet someone that has been looking for a distributor from your company, you can take care of their needs on the spot!


4. THANK YOUR CUSTOMERS OVER AND OVER AND OVER.

Treat people the way you want to be treated. Let them know you care by following up with them. Do what others fail to do, and your business will thrive. Give someone an awesome day!

Kaaren