How To Connect With People, Grow Your Network and Expand Your Business

As a small business owner, creating a network can play an important role in the success of your business.

Every day we pass by tens, hundreds or sometimes thousands of people who are really just friends we haven’t met yet. You never know who they are and if there is a potential “win win” between you. They could be someone who could really expand your business, provide you with referrals or even become a customer themselves.

This trick to this is to be genuinely interested in people without any agenda. If it comes across that you are talking to them to try to sell them something, they will pick up on it and it will show.

People like to talk about themselves, so get them to talk. Ask questions and really listen. Don’t even think about the next question until they have finished their answer. This will allow you to ask the next question with more relevance to what they just said.

Eventually if they are feeling good about the conversation, they will start to ask you questions. Once they do, don’t talk too much about yourself. Give a little then take control back by asking more questions. She who is asking the questions is in control of the conversation. If you want to direct the conversation towards a certain topic, then you must keep control of where it goes.

Remember to ask open ended questions that start with who, where, why, when, what and how. This give the other person the opportunity to really tell you something instead of a simple yes or not which doesn’t really tell you much about them.

What do you think this person will be thinking after the conversation has ended? They will probably be thinking about what a nice person you were and if the conversation leads to an exchange of numbers or email addresses, then they will most likely look forward to speaking with you again.

Not everyone has the “gift of the gab”. For those who don’t and realize the importance of connecting, it’s time to push your limits and expand outside your comfort zone.

Exercise

Here is a simple exercise you can try on a regular basis to push yourself outside your comfort zone.

Walk down the street and into a shop and say hello or hi to every single person you see. It may just be a nod at first until you get comfortable with it, but eventually if you continue to do it and push yourself, it will be come easier. If you’re in front of someone for more than a few seconds START the conversation.

Here’s how it might flow:

STEP ONE: Compliment Them Or Ask A Relevant Question.

By complimenting them you’ve immediately helped to lower their defenses. If you had started the conversation with "Hi my name is John.” they might think you’re a tad weird.
Remember to ask open ended questions.

STEP TWO: Find A Common Ground.

Use the F.O.R.M. method to continue the conversation until you find something in common. Share your side of the commonality and then back to them with asking questions.

STEP 3: Get Contact Information And Agree To Follow Up

If they ask for your contact info, then give it…but ensure you get theirs. If you don’t get their info, then you’ve given up control and have no way to contacting them.

STEP FOUR: Follow Up

This is the most important step and one that most people don’t do. What is really the point of doing steps 1 thru 3 if you never call them. Don’t leave it up to them to call you cause they might not.

When you do call, don’t ask to see them next, just imply that it’s a given you will meet again and ask what day or time is best.

Side note: If the conversation seems forced, let it go. They may be having a bad day or are just not the type of people you really want to meet.

Tracy Matthewman
		About the author:
		Tracy Matthewman is the publisher and editor of Women Can Do Anything, an online community and business resouce for business women and female entrepreneurs. She is also a graphic designer, website programmer and Internet marketer.