Many people spend hours mingling with other professionals or business owners during networking events, trade fairs or business conferences. You may collect a wallet full of business cards, but do you ever contact them once the event has finished? If not, you're certainly not alone. You may not feel comfortable dialing the number of a new contact without having anything to say.
Hence, I'm going to discuss some steps you should follow so you can utilise these valuable contacts at a later date. You have to remember that the steps you take before you actually follow up will determine how easy or difficult the task will be. If you want your new contacts to be available when you need them, take heed to the following 10 steps:
1. Direct Your Conversation To Meaningful Topics
Remember, you normally have a very limited amount of time to chat with other conference participants. Hence, you don't want to waste any time discussing non-important issues such as the weather. You can spend a few minutes breaking the ice, at which point you should move to more important topics. This will enable you to maximise your time spent with as many event participants as possible.
2. Inquire About Their Professional Interests & Goals
If you find initial conversations with strangers a bit awkward, you can always ask a question about the event you are attending. This will not only break the ice, but also lead the conversation in the direction you want. Two useful examples are "What did you find the most useful point you learned from today's conference"? or "What are you hoping to learn from today?" These types of questions will pave the way for more general questions such as their other goals or their profession.
3. Create An Excuse to Follow Up Soon After The Event
Another helpful tool is to create a reason for you to contact any new people you meet during a business event. For example, listen closely to the other person and advise them that you would be happy to send them a suggestion, call them with relevant contact information or email them a recommendation. This will make it much easier to contact individuals because they will be expecting to hear from you.
4. Create A Follow Up Reason That Creates Added Value
Make sure you find a reason to contact the other person that will actually add value to them, rather than just benefiting you. Hence, there is no point sending a person you recently met your company brochure or resume unless they have specifically requested these documents.
5. Obtain A Business Card With Complete Contact Information
Don't risk losing valuable contact information when networking by scribbling names, email addresses or telephone numbers on the nearest available slip of paper. You should always request a business card so you have many available methods to contact them.
6. Write Notes On The Back Of Your Own Business Cards
Instead of jotting down notes on the back of someone else's business card, try the reverse tactic. Make sure to write down some ideas or specifics that you will follow up with on the back of your own business card. This will jog the other person's memory when you decide to contact them at a later date. This is also an effective method of making you stand out in a crowd.
7. Make Sure You Contact Them Within 2 Business Days
If possible, you should follow up with your networking contacts within 2 business days. If you will be away for a few more days, make sure to call or email as soon as you return to your office. If you plan to be away for at least a week, you can send a short email message to explain that you enjoyed meeting them and will follow up when you return.
8. Don't Start Off Asking For A Lot
You risk scaring off new contacts if you start requesting big favours. Wait until you have established a more solid connection. Minor requests such as the name of a great real estate agent generally aren't a problem. However, larger requests such as an introduction to the head of their company or access to main customers should wait. Very few people are willing to risk their professional reputation for an individual they have recently met.
9. Continue To Add Value Whenever You Connect
If you establish yourself as an individual who continually adds value, you will quickly build up an extensive network of contacts. Continue to send information on relevant areas or offer your assistance if someone needs help or has a question. Another great way to build up your contacts is to send people customers who genuinely wish to purchase their service or product.
10. Be Specific & Provide Context When You Ask
When you're finally ready to request a favour or information, make sure you specify exactly what you require. Explain that you felt they would be the best person to contact. This reveals that you have taken the time to deliberately contact them which will increase your likelihood of receiving a favourable response.
Showing posts with label Important. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Important. Show all posts
Friday, August 31, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Instant Cash Loans: Important Factors To Keep In Mind
There was a time when talk of getting instant cash loans crossed dangerously into the realm of fantasy. That was the time when traditional lenders, like banks, still ruled with an iron fist and willingly set tough criteria from which they could make the best profits. But the arrival of the internet, and specifically online lenders, has change the situation completely.
Today, it is possible for some lenders to advertise guaranteed loan approval, but how is this possible? Well, the fact is that instant approvals are a reality and a guaranteed approval is too. This is because the approval process has been cut down to a mere few seconds, thanks principally to computer technology.
However, there are still criteria to meet, basic though they might be. And even if bad credit histories are ignored through the adoption of no credit check processes, the likelihood of securing a cash advance loan is extremely high.
Advantages of Instant Loans
Getting instant cash loans has real advantages, especially when time is of the essence and a financial emergency needs to be dealt with. Perhaps a medical bill needs to be paid, or a late mortgage payment reminder. Access to the required funds then, is essential.
And if there are fears over missing loan repayments, they are misplaced. The single repayment is automatically withdrawn from the bank account of the borrower, so there is no risk of defaulting on the loan. And of course, with guaranteed loan approval none of the concerns over application rejection can be put aside.
And since the approval on the cash advance loan takes only one hour, a 10 am application can see cash in the bank by 2 pm. It means that a financial emergency really can be dealt with by the end of the day.
Understanding the Costs
What should be considered carefully before starting the application process, however, is the cost of instant cash loans. The relief securing much-needed funds comes with considerable pressure to clear the same debt in as short a period of time as 14 days. Also, the interest rates that are charged are typically very high.
It is not unusual, for example, for rates between 20% and 35% to be charged. Lenders claim this is acceptable, partly because they are vulnerable without credit checks, and partly because the speed of approval is an advantage for borrowers. Of course, having guaranteed loan approval is essential in an emergency, so the cost can be worth it.
Still, the repayments can cause havoc with the rest of the financial budget. For example, at 30% a ,500 cash advance loan would cost ,950 to clear. When that much is take from one paycheck, it leaves very little over to meet the regular bills.
Choosing an Online Lender
Finding the best loan deal does require searching online. This is essential when getting instant cash loans, especially if the most affordable is to be found. Thankfully, the job is made simpler by comparison websites, which clearly lists and compares terms relating to interest, fees and other charges.
What should never be taken for granted is the promise of guaranteed loan approval. It is important not to be distracted by this feature, and look at the interest rates charged. Make sure to carefully calculated the figures and that they fit into your budget. But still, a cash advance loan is the fastest to access anywhere, so in times of financial emergencies, they are still the best option.
Today, it is possible for some lenders to advertise guaranteed loan approval, but how is this possible? Well, the fact is that instant approvals are a reality and a guaranteed approval is too. This is because the approval process has been cut down to a mere few seconds, thanks principally to computer technology.
However, there are still criteria to meet, basic though they might be. And even if bad credit histories are ignored through the adoption of no credit check processes, the likelihood of securing a cash advance loan is extremely high.
Advantages of Instant Loans
Getting instant cash loans has real advantages, especially when time is of the essence and a financial emergency needs to be dealt with. Perhaps a medical bill needs to be paid, or a late mortgage payment reminder. Access to the required funds then, is essential.
And if there are fears over missing loan repayments, they are misplaced. The single repayment is automatically withdrawn from the bank account of the borrower, so there is no risk of defaulting on the loan. And of course, with guaranteed loan approval none of the concerns over application rejection can be put aside.
And since the approval on the cash advance loan takes only one hour, a 10 am application can see cash in the bank by 2 pm. It means that a financial emergency really can be dealt with by the end of the day.
Understanding the Costs
What should be considered carefully before starting the application process, however, is the cost of instant cash loans. The relief securing much-needed funds comes with considerable pressure to clear the same debt in as short a period of time as 14 days. Also, the interest rates that are charged are typically very high.
It is not unusual, for example, for rates between 20% and 35% to be charged. Lenders claim this is acceptable, partly because they are vulnerable without credit checks, and partly because the speed of approval is an advantage for borrowers. Of course, having guaranteed loan approval is essential in an emergency, so the cost can be worth it.
Still, the repayments can cause havoc with the rest of the financial budget. For example, at 30% a ,500 cash advance loan would cost ,950 to clear. When that much is take from one paycheck, it leaves very little over to meet the regular bills.
Choosing an Online Lender
Finding the best loan deal does require searching online. This is essential when getting instant cash loans, especially if the most affordable is to be found. Thankfully, the job is made simpler by comparison websites, which clearly lists and compares terms relating to interest, fees and other charges.
What should never be taken for granted is the promise of guaranteed loan approval. It is important not to be distracted by this feature, and look at the interest rates charged. Make sure to carefully calculated the figures and that they fit into your budget. But still, a cash advance loan is the fastest to access anywhere, so in times of financial emergencies, they are still the best option.
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