How to Avoid the 10 Most Common Business Networking Mistakes
Business networking is one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal as an emerging wellness entrepreneur.
If you’re testing an idea, trying to solve a problem, or looking to make connections with people who can take your coaching career to the next level, business networking is absolutely the #1 way to do it.
But networking can be the black sheep of business growth for even the most experienced entrepreneurs. Many don’t do it, do it sporadically, or make so many mistakes that the process becomes totally ineffective.
Whether you’re networking on social media or at the next big wellness conference, here are the top 10 mistakes to avoid:
- Networking Online Only
As a wellness coach, you know that face time with your clients is integral to their success.
So why try to network completely online, without ever meeting people face to face?
Getting out there and being able to shake hands with potential clients and partners is incredibly powerful, especially in a world where more and more interactions happen online.
So book that conference, take that meeting, and schedule that coffee date!
- Moving Too Fast
Business networking is really just another name for relationship building.
Just as you’d never expect to fall in love and get married on the first date, you can’t expect to form a lasting bond after speaking with a brand new contact for five minutes.
Think of networking as a slow, steady courtship that deepens over time, and cultivate patience as you expand your circle to include more and more high-quality contacts.
- Skipping the Elevator Speech
When working with new training or coaching clients, you have a clear, specific way of telling them what you do and what they can expect from working with you.
Networking with a new business contact should be no different.
By getting crystal clear about who you serve, what you want, and what your goals are, you’re much more likely to connect with people who can help you.
- Getting Too Personal
Remember that when you network, new contacts can easily look you up online. That being the case, it’s important to have a seamless, professional brand image even on your personal Facebook page.
In other words, if you wouldn’t want your entrepreneurial idol to see it, you probably shouldn’t post it online.
- Sticking to Small Groups
Attending a business networking event can be intimidating. You may feel pressured to meet the ‘right’ people and relieved when you find someone you connect with right off the bat.
But don’t spend all of your time chatting with your newfound friend. Once you know there is a mutual connection and an opportunity for a mutually beneficial partnership, get their card, schedule a phone call or follow-up, and move on to the next group of people.
- Being Too Vague
At your gym, do you allow your training clients to set vague goals such “I’d like to lose some weight” or “I’d like to do more push-ups”?
I doubt it!
Just as you encourage your clients to be specific, you need to be specific when networking with people who can help you succeed.
Go into any networking event with tangible goals in mind, and share those goals with the people you meet.
No one can help you if your goal is to ‘grow your business.’ If, on the other hand, your goal is to “increase my email subscribers by 25% this quarter,” new contacts can easily connect you with the perfect person to accomplish just that.
- Dressing for Failure
Whether you’re networking online or at an event, your personal appearance matters.
Part of marketing yourself as a wellness coach or trainer is projecting an image of vibrant well-being; something that’s difficult to do if you’re wearing clothes that scream “I just rolled out of bed.”
Take care to choose the outfits you’ll wear when networking, and make sure the image you’re projecting is in line with your overall company brand.
- Failing to Follow Through
After working so hard to meet and connect with new business contacts, it’s a wonder that so many entrepreneurs completely fail to follow up on their business networking leads.
Before you leave an event, create a follow-up plan for each and every person you meet. Decide whether a phone call, email, or in-person meeting is best and assign each ‘touch’ a specific date and time.
There’s no point in networking for its own sake – the real benefits can only be realized once the conference or event is long over.
- Taking Contacts for Granted
Let’s say you meet a highly influential coach at a networking event, and that coach helps you secure an incredibly lucrative joint venture.
Before you hit the ground running with your new partner, don’t forget to thank the person who helped make it happen.
Sending a personalized thank you note, email, or even flowers is a great way to show someone that you value their help and expertise, and that you are deserving and appreciative of their generosity.
- Getting Impatient
Getting more training clients doesn’t happen overnight, just as becoming a master business networker is never instantaneous.
Meeting the right people, and finding your personal networking groove, takes time and patience.
It’s great to hit the ground running, get out there, and start meeting as many people as possible. But only time and experience will show you which business networking techniques work best for you and your business.
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ragab selem says
I appreciate you dr really,specially thanks from Egyptian person .
Regards
Kathy Draper says
Great Information! At a coach and personal trainer we must also be aware that we are always being watched. How you interact with others, including clients. I am going to work to project a more put together appearance on a regular basis while I am working on my branding.