In one of our recent meetings, as a Marketing Minute, I had highlighted to you a book called “The 29% Solution” by Ivan R. Misner.  This book focuses on giving you 52 weekly networking success strategies, one for each week of the year.

Since we are in Week 6 of 2009, I thought you might find it useful for a summary of the first 6 weekly tips for successful networking strategies.

Tip 1)  Set Networking goals – make sure they are SMART – i.e. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Specific. Answering questions such as “How many networking functions will you attend each month?” or “Whom do you want to meet through networking this year?” may be starting points for you.

Tip 2) Block Out Time To Network – just as you set budgets aside for advertising or public relations or client follow-up, do the same for networking.  You are part of at least one networking group – know that it is one of your business development strategies and set time aside for this consciously.

Tip 3) Profile Your Preferred Client – Imagine what your business would be like if your contacts list was filled with only the people you most liked to work with?  Getting clear on who that is EXACTLY will help you attract them to your business.

Tip 4) Recruit Your Word of Mouth Marketing Team – Based on your preferred client exercise (Tip 3), get really clear on who else serves a similar market.  i.e. as an entrepreneurial business coach, my word of mouth marketing team consists of people who also serve small businesses such as lawyers, accountants, bookkeepers, photographers, web designers, graphic designers etc.  Who’s on your team?

Tip 5) Give to Others First – BY FAR, this is about creating good karma!  This is truly the power and potential of networking at its best.  Each time, think about how you can serve/give rather than what you can get.  What goes around comes around…

Tip 6) Create a Network Relationship Database – this is more than just keeping contact information.  It’s about recording every referral, how it was developed, did it lead to further business etc….the entire record.  Cheryl Scoffield specializes in this – call her for help here if you need it.

Great book – good reminders, good tips and good insight.  Click here to buy a copy through Amazon or visit my website for a more detailed book review at www.enspirecoaching.com/enspiration/enspiration.html.

Happy Networking!

Grace, Founder, enSpire Coaching Inc.