When you attend a networking function, the real work begins when the event ends. Your time should have been spent making as many meaningful connections as possible with other networkers and gathering their business cards. Each connection you make should be entered in your contact database. This is the most effective way to integrate networking with your small business marketing plan. That’s much more important than handing out your own card to people who will probably never contact you anyway!
When you are talking with someone for the first time, gain as much knowledge about them as you possibly can. Do your best to find out their primary concerns within their business and the problems they want solved. Let them know which solutions you provide that could help them out. When you take their business card make some notes on the back so you can properly follow up with them the following day.
