How to Use Networking to Fill Your Calendar with Bookings -My Mentor Biz

If you had told me when I started my Direct Sales Business that NETWORKING would be the number one source of filling my calendar with sales and bookings, I would have probably not believed you.

It took me a few months to join groups, learn the skills and build strong relationships, before I realized the power of joining networking groups like a Chamber of Commerce, an Ewomen’s Networking group and a Professional Women’s group. Networking, indeed, was my number one source of new clients, long term friendships and most of all it kept my calendar full of sales, bookings and recruit leads.

Live Networking events came to a halt when Covid hit in 2020. However, many organizations quickly switched to the online virtual method and didn’t miss a beat. Now, in 2022, we are BACK to meeting and greeting at live networking events. So… I wanted to share with you how effective these events can work for you to fill your calendar with sales and bookings using my networking formula for success.

MY NETWORKING FORMULA FOR SUCCESS

TIP #1 Show up with Purpose. If you want to make connections at networking meetings, you have to show up! Show up consistently and show up with purpose. If you join a networking group, you want to make sure you don’t miss a meeting. When you attend consistently, your “worth” is noted. People want to do business with people who have integrity and follow through.

Schedule your networking events on your calendar every month. Whether it’s a weekly networking group, or a vendor event, or a larger event put on by organizations, reserve the time on your calendar to show up and expand your circle of new friends.

When you show up at the event trust you’ll meet the right people who are interested in your products. When I walk into a room at events, I say to myself, “Whoever I see today, I’m meant to meet and give them my full attention.” I show up to discover my ideal prospects.

TIP #2 Consciously Connect and Be the first. Don’t hold back. Be the first to introduce yourself, and make eye contact because eye contact is real contact. Be present and in the moment and give them your FULL attention. Don’t let your eyes wander around the room. Show them you are solely interested in getting to know them. Be genuine and friendly and let them know you want to consciously connect

And, of course don’t forget to smile and point your heart at their heart, and be the FIRST to shake hands to introduce yourself.

TIP #3 Be Curious about others. Try not to share “your” information. Be curious about “them.” Be curious like a detective and find out as much about this person as possible. Learn their story, who they are, where they work, what brought them to the event. A first question might be..

“It’s great to meet you Suzie. Tell me about your business? “ Ask questions about her home, her family, her hobbies, her lifestyle!

Keep being curious and ask layering questions. Layering questions help you discover more information. Questions like

Tell me more about that.
Can you explain a little bit more about your business.
“Suzie, I know you are a busy mom of 3 kids – what else?”

Detectives know how to get more information asking layering questions. Establish yourself as a listener. When you listen you hear if this person is someone who will love your products and/or your business opportunity. Heart-centered listening is being present, having eye contact, asking questions and developing a true connection.

TIP #4 Use my “Back Pocket” Invite. After consciously connecting and getting to know more about her, be ready to offer what I call, a “back pocket” invitation. This is where you begin to fill your calendar. The first step is an invitation! The next step will bring you future sales and bookings, but this will depend on your follow up and follow through.

Here’s what I say with my back pocket invite…

“Suzie, it’s so great to get to know more about you. Let’s exchange information. If you’re interested, I’d love to invite you to one of my weekly style showings. I do private style appointments every Wednesday, where I show you what styles work best for your body.”

When you invite someone to something specific, they more than likely will respond and give you their information. Then it’s up to you to follow-up to book the appointment.

TIP #5 Commit to developing new connections. After the networking event, you want to follow up with every person who was interested in learning more about your products and your private appointments. When you offer private one-on-one appointments with people, you are deepening the relationship. At every private style appointment, my goal was to get a booking. Sometimes, they only wanted to place an order to try the products first. But as soon as she booked, I would invite her into my funnel. First, the VIP CUSTOMER group and continue the relationship with my customer care program.

When you COMMIT to this formula you are developing new connections.

You are committed to showing up with purpose at every networking event.
You are committed to consciously connecting and being the first to introduce yourself.
You are committed to being curious about others and getting to know them.
You are committed to inviting people to exchange information and follow up to schedule a private appointment
You are committed to developing new connections.

This is the POWER OF THE NETWORKING FORMULA FOR SUCCESS!

You meet them and build a connection.
After a private appointment they become as a new customer.
As a new customer, they learn the benefits of being a hostess.
Some enjoy the experience and maybe move on to become a team member.

I’ve been consciously connecting in Networking events for a long time, and it became the number one source for me in growing new customers and new hostesses and eventually new team members.

NOW IS THE TIME TO JOIN NETWORKING EVENTS

Looking to learn more about being a STRONG CONNECTOR AT NETWORKING EVENTS?

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