Networking and Lead Generation

Supercharging your networking

Telemarketing brings the personal follow up into your networking

Networking events and networking at business events often come with high hopes of meeting your next big client or securing that ideal partnership. However, it’s essential to manage your expectations. The true value of networking lies in building relationships, not directly selling your product or service. Think connection not conversion.

When attending a networking event, the focus should be on creating authentic connections rather than delivering a sales pitch. People buy from (and refer) those they know, like, and trust. Networking is about laying the foundation for those feelings, even if the return isn’t immediate. 

It is a great chance to learn, discuss and understand challenges, and opportunities either in your industry or just your local business community.  Even if attendees aren’t your ideal target market, they could refer you to someone who is, based on the impression you make.

Follow up with telemarketing

Networking events don’t end when the last handshake happens. Incorporating telemarketing into your follow up strategy helps turn those  fleeting introductions into long-term relationships. Here’s how the telephone can supercharge your networking efforts, here are 3 obvious uses:

Where you are about to attend a large event you can effectively use telemarketing to identify and connect with attendees beforehand, establishing familiarity that makes face to face introductions smoother. 

After the event, the telephone bridges the gap between initial connection and meaningful engagement. A follow-up call shows initiative, keeps the conversation alive, and opens the door to exploring collaboration or opportunities further.

Telemarketing as part of a multichannel follow up approach allows you to extend the warmth created during the event.   See our article on our 7 step follow up strategy here –  

Networking creates warmth

Nobody is taking action if they are a stranger (or cold), a warm network will serve you, it takes time and effort, and the immediate return may seem limited. But think of it as planting seeds. Consistent attendance, engagement and follow up inbetween events build a network that supports your business over time.  To manage expectations:

• Go to engage, not to sell.  Follow up on the phone afterwards.
• Follow up thoughtfully with people you’ve connected with, nurturing the relationship over time.
• Evaluate outcomes periodically to ensure the time spent aligns with your broader goals.

⭐⭐Public Service Announcement ⭐⭐Networking is a 2 way street,  isn’t just about what you can get, it’s also about what you can give. Who can you help, refer, cheerlead – being active in your community of businesses has a broader purpose:

• Proactively build your visibility so that people associate your name with trust and expertise.  Bringing  in the phone as part of you follow up and staying in touch campaign keeps you on the radar.
• Demonstrate and give goodwill, which naturally encourages others to refer you.  If you are speaking to a connection you want to refer call them and check that they would ike the referral and have that bridge building conversation and then follow up with an email introduction
• Staying relevant, being seen and heard keeps your business top of mind, even for opportunities outside your immediate focus.  The phone can be great for keeping in touch, an informal invitation or sharing something current that you think might be interesting to the individual.

Networking events are powerful and their impact often extends beyond direct sales. By shifting your mindset from pitching to connecting and embracing your role in the wider business community, you’ll create long term relationships.  By integrating telemarketing into your post networking strategy, you can create long-term relationships that lead to referrals, trust, and future opportunities.    And quite simply, being a business owner is just more enjoyable with a warm supportive network around you filled with people that you can pick up the phone to.

So, the next time you attend a business event, remember go to connect, engage genuinely, listen attentively, and be alive in your business community.   With telemarketing as a key part of your toolkit you can add some really effective follow up.  The returns may surprise you in ways you didn’t initially expect.