Socializing Can Make or Break Your Business

The business people in smart clothing sit around a small table and sip their coffee chatting about everything from the latest mergers to their son's little league game. Even though these people are enjoying themselves, they aren't here to waste away their time in idle chat. Like true entrepreneurs they are here to further their businesses agendas. With each sip of coffee they get to know each other better and are able to make those special connections that result in either a sale or in a new friendship.

Social clubs and charity organizations have been and will be more about networking then about whatever function where were started for. Each time a handshake is given it usually results in a short discussion about the type of work the parties are engaged in and an exchange of business cards. The crucial aspect of any socializing even is to raise your exposure.

The more people you meet and the more times you give your card out and the more business you will receive. Socializing is one of the easiest and best ways to market your business. Each time you give your card out the receiver associates your personality and appearance with it. This imprint lasts longer than any television or radio advertisement.

Each person you have a conversation with might have 100 or more other contacts in their social network. When you give them your business card pretend you are trying to tap into their social network. Thus each person is the gate keeper to his friends, relatives and business associates. Meeting 10 people could possibly tap you into 1,000 others.

To develop these networks doesn't require endless ours of painful and forced greetings. It only requires the love of getting to know other people. If you enjoy rubbing elbows and have a genuine interest in others this will be one of the first marketing activities you might enjoy. There are two purposes in networking which include meeting new people and soliciting new business. Both are mutually satisfying.

The way in which we can meet new people of a business mindset is to join social clubs, charity functions and by frequenting places where they hang out. It wouldn't do you much good to join a club for Star Trek fans if you are looking for business people. Scan your local club listing and pick out the ones that are likely to have the best results. It isn't difficult to introduce yourself to the right people if you know where to find them.

Even though paying a lot of money for advertisement will produce a large response, it doesn't make sense if you are ignoring a major untapped resource. Furthermore, these mass marketing techniques aren't likely to produce repeat visitors. A handshake and a friendly smile will go father than any 20 second sound bite.

Relationships and relationship marketing is one of the most effective and cheap ways of gaining new clients. Other than the cost of the business cards, it doesn't cost much to hold a conversation. These types of encounters are also likely to produce more repeat business as face-to-face meetings build the most trust quickly. If you have a mutual friend with the perspective client, the trust is likely to flourish quickly. Get out there and enjoy yourself as you expand both your social horizons and your financial well being.