| We've all had the experience of going to networking | | | | does come up in a conversation so you at least |
| events and collecting business cards. Some people | | | | know the month of theperson's birth. |
| have so many cards that they make a special | | | | 4. Winter holiday - Send a Holiday or New Year's |
| database of people they met at networking events. | | | | Card with a note or invitation to a party. There are |
| Others keep the cards in a box or business card files. | | | | those who say that people get so many cards at |
| I've got several files full ofcards myself. Sometimes I | | | | that time of year that the person won't remember |
| don't even remember who all the people are. | | | | their card. Then you could be a little innovative. |
| Periodically I purge the file of the unknowns to make | | | | Maybe try Christmas in July. Some send Thanksgiving |
| space for new ones. | | | | cards so that their card is the first to be received. |
| Is everyone you meet a potential client or referrer? | | | | You do want to be remembered! |
| It starts with the conversation you have when you | | | | 5. Interesting business idea - If you've talked about |
| first meet the person. Focus on those in your target | | | | an interesting business idea, send an article about the |
| market and/or those people who know lots of | | | | topic to the person. Any article on a topic of mutual |
| people in your target market (influencers and | | | | interest (not just business) will work. |
| strategic partners). | | | | 6. Nonprofit connections - If you walk in a "Walk for |
| It is with those two categories of people that you | | | | Hunger" or volunteer at Habitat for Humanity, ask the |
| want to begin building relationships. To build the | | | | potential client or influencer to join you. |
| relationship you will want to stay connected with | | | | 7. Religious or spiritual group connection - If your |
| them. (You don't want them to forget you!) | | | | connection is through a religious organization or |
| Here are some ideas of ways to stay connected in | | | | spiritual group, watch for programs of common |
| addition to the usual breakfast, lunch, coffee and | | | | interest and call the person to join you in participating. |
| dinner possibilities. As you look at these activities, | | | | 8. Community organization connection (PTA, Little |
| think about some questions you might ask a | | | | League, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary) - If it turns |
| prospect or referrer to get you the information to | | | | out that your lives overlap in unexpected areas, |
| do the follow up. You'll need a system of some sort | | | | renew your connection at meetings. Volunteer to |
| to record this information. | | | | help and recruit your potential client or influencer to |
| 1. Hobbies - Send information about hobbies the | | | | join you. |
| referrer or potential client has expressed an interest | | | | 9. Your publications (newsletter, blog, article you |
| in. Invite the person to an event that focuses on the | | | | wrote) - If you write a newsletter, put the potential |
| hobby. Examples: You collect antiques. Send an article | | | | client or influencer on your list. Some firms have |
| on antiquing or go to antique auction with potential | | | | updates or comments on current issues that they |
| client. | | | | send to clients. Add your prospect or referrer to the |
| 2. Cultural interests (museum, theater, music etc) - | | | | office mailing list. Be sure the person knows why and |
| Send a review of a play you spoke about. Include a | | | | from whom he/she is receiving the mailing. When you |
| handwritten note letting them know you were | | | | write an article that gets published send them a copy. |
| thinking of them. Invite the person to a concert or | | | | 10. Your presentations - Invite prospects and |
| similar event. | | | | referrers to be your guest at workshops and |
| 3. Birthday - Send a birthday card if you know his/her | | | | meetings at which you are speaking. If your |
| birthday. It may be awkward to work birthday dates | | | | presentations are not local, be sure your prospects |
| into the conversation unless someone has a birthday | | | | and referrers know that you are speaking and the |
| on that day but sometimes the topic of horoscopes | | | | topic on which you will be speaking. |