Rice Business Report May 2019 Rice Business Report | Page 21

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10 Superstar Networking Tips to Grow Your Business
By Susan Friesen
Continued from page 21….
7) Switch it Up. Try sitting with different people at lunch. Join groups for after
workshop dinner and conversation. Sometimes the chit-chat that occurs be-
fore and after the event can lead to the best connections.
8) Step Up to the Mike. If there is a Q&A opportunity, step up to the micro-
phone and let your question be heard. You'll get a chance to introduce yourself
to the whole room and get expert answers to your question.
Often times people will come up to you afterwards and say how they related to what you shared.
9) Give a Testimonial. If you loved the event, be vocal about it. Tell the event coordinator and offer a tes-
timonial. You can also record a Facebook video testimonial and tag the event coordinator on social me-
dia.
Email a written testimonial to the event host. They may post it on their website and give you massive
exposure.
10) Love 'em Up. There is a Chinese proverb that says "A bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives
flowers." When you get back home after the event, the most important part is following up with and
nurturing relationships you made
Here it's a strategy of quality, not quantity. Sort through the cards you received. Narrow them down to
the few people you had a real connection with and send a warm, genuine email.
Is there any further suggestion or resource you can send them as a follow-up to your conversation? You
want them to experience their life is better now having met you.
And don't forget to post to your social media accounts and send an email to your list about your experi-
ence too!
Attending industry conferences or seminars keep you up-to-date with the latest changes that are occur-
ring within the industry. But equally valuable is the chance to meet other like-minded individuals and
build connections that can last a lifetime.
Susan Friesen is the founder of eVision Media, a boutique web development and Digital Marketing firm
of over 15 years that specializes in designing, building and marketing professional, unique websites for
entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations.
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