Rice Business Report May 2019 Rice Business Report | Page 20

20 10 Superstar Networking Tips to Grow Your Business Continued from page 19……. By Susan Friesen This will help you attract exactly the right type of connections you will benefit most from. 3) Show Up Early. Arrive with extra time so you can grab a coffee, visit the ven- dor tables, and get to know a few people before everything starts to get busy. Be on the lookout for people with whom you feel you can connect with and strike up a conversation with them. Attending early also gives you an opportunity to get a seat close enough to better see and hear the on- stage happenings. 4) Be a Giver. Have you ever met someone whom you feel wants to get something from you? It gives off a bad negative energy, doesn't it? Avoid this from happening to you by shifting your energy to one of abun- dance and ask yourself how you can best serve others 5) Ask for Their Business Card. It is always better to ask for the other person's card. Asking for their card feels better than shoving yours in their hand. Plus that leaves you in control so that you can send a follow-up when you return from the event. Write a note about what you learned or spoke about with them on the card so you can reference it when you write them afterwards. 6) Share the Event Socially. Social Media is a great tool for building and maintaining relationships. Take plenty of pics at the event to share on social media. Do Facebook LIVE on location. Your followers want to see where you are. Take pictures with the speakers and other people you meet. This is me with Christine after the event was over. As you can see, wine is a big part of her brand. That and chocolate! Plus you can send these pictures to the friends you meet in your follow up. Try tagging them on social media and give them a shout out saying how nice it was to meet them. You can attach a picture with them in a follow-up email. This is a heartfelt way to share warmth with a new con- nection Continued on page 22…….. Rice Business Report