|
What is Relationship Networking?
Relationship networking is simply the
art of meeting people and benefiting from those relationships. Often the
benefit of these relationship is to obtain information and leads
to further grow your business. Any successful relationship, whether a
personal or a business relationship, is unique to every pair of individuals,
and it evolves over time. Effective relationship networking is all about
building those relationships and maintaining long lasting connections with
other professionals.
The Internet is an excellent vehicle for
networking. Relationships can develop in newsgroups, forums, and
via email. Though nothing really beats good old-fashioned face-to-face
networking to start the process of building a relationship and trust, which
is why industry conferences can be so important.
Not all contacts will
be useful or worth pursuing. There will be leads that don't provide much
information. Use your judgment on whether the information and relationship
is worth spending more time on.
Relationship networking opens new
doors, often it's "who you
know, not necessarily what you know".
Tip
to Build Network Relationships:
1. Provide genuine assistance to
others.
2. Be open-minded.
3. Remember personal details.
4. Respect
cultural differences.
5. Research people and companies. Know their goals
and
interests.
6. Reciprocate.
7. Introductions.
Where to
Network:
So many people wear multiple hats; everyone and anyone
could
possibly be a networking opportunity. However, just like targeted
search engine traffic, the more targeted the networking the higher the chance
of success. 'Targeted' networking offers the most potential.
1.
Trade associations or industry specific organization.
2. Trade shows.
3.
Friends.
4. Schools.
5. Focused newsgroups and topic specific
forums.
6. Customers.
7. Suppliers.
8. User groups.
Constantly
refine and grow your network of relationships, as
they are valuable and need
cultivating. If you are perceived as someone who is only trying to get
something your network will likely not increase. Networking is about
building relationships and mutual interaction benefiting both parties.
Share information and help others grow their businesses.
In many ways
relationship networking and partnering overlap,
and on some occasion's
relationship networking will lead to
synergistic
partnering.
Partnering
Partnering is an attractive flexible way for
companies to develop new markets and additional revenue. Working together,
partners can combine strengths in critical areas. Often a larger well-known
vendor provides small vendors with credibility, while the smaller vendor
contributes specific industry knowledge unknown to the larger vendor.
Synergistic relationships come in all shapes and sizes, but the
best relationships and partnerships are the ones that benefit everyone.
Partnering is a good way of tapping into related customer bases. Often the
partners complement each other in such a way that they can provide a combined
solution that neither partner could deliver alone.
Expectations
In
order for a relationship to work you must have a clear
understanding of both
your companies and product(s) strengths and weaknesses. By being aware of
any deficiencies, you will find partners with strengths in the areas of
your weaknesses.
1. Know what you have to offer.
2. Know what you are
looking for.
3. Don't waste yours and your potential partner's
time.
Different relationships/partnering that works:
1. Product
bundling.
2. Newsletter exchanges.
3. Integrations.
4. Link
exchanges.
5. Technology or knowledge exchange.
6. Revenue share.
7. Ad
exchange.
Win/Win
Only when each partner is successful can the
partnership itself claim success. Partnerships are genuinely a
win-win. Developers, who master the art of strategic partnering
and
relationship networking, will obtain long-term profitability and
success.
Final Tips
1.) Qualify sources.
2.) Adage - you are who
you hang with.
3.) Not every relationship is a good one.
4.) Evaluate
potential partners.
5.) Make it personal by taking the time to say thank
you.
6.) Results are not always immediate.
7.) Carry business cards
everywhere you go.
Being proactive and following up, you can have a
network of
contacts that you will be able to access quickly when you need
them. Whether by more traditional means, such as in person or over the
Internet, personal networks are essential for furthering your business.
Relationship networking is give and take, be sure to help others in your
quest for help.
About the Author -
Sharon Housley manages marketing
for NotePage, Inc.
http://www.notepage.net a company
specializing in
alphanumeric paging, SMS and wireless messaging
software solutions. Other sites by Sharon can be found at http://www.softwaremarketingresource.com
,
http://www.rss-specifications.com
and
http://www.small-business-software.net
|
