Networking People

During networking with people Should I ask them to take out life insurance policy from me . Please guide me

No, networking is different than selling. Networking is making connections with people, some of whom will be prospects and some of whom will be able to refer you to others. Part of networking is also being of service to the other person.

Skip gives a good definition of networking.

I've been at chamber events - TGIF, networking events, etc. and have watched inexperienced or aggressive people abruptly try to sell and it's a turn off. AND reputation spreads.

The best of the best of networking to you.

MitchM

Networking is 'building relationships' with people who as they themselves get comfortable with you, develop trust in you, will then refer people to you who need your services. The upside could be a person you meet, becomes a client themselves, but that is not the initial goal.

Networking to build your business takes time. You also have to be a 'referral giver' before you will find yourself, getting referrals from others in the group.

If you want to become a better networker, all you have to do is ask people questions about themselves. In fact, one of the best books about this (IMO) is Dale Carnegies "How to Win Friends and Influence People." Pick up a copy for about $10 at any bookstore or free at a public library.

Ask them what they do. Ask them what is the ideal referral to them. Ask them how long they've been in the industry...etc. Talk to them about them a lot more than you talk about yourself. I've been able to get tons of business cards and personal contact information this way. I don't offer them to buy or do any business with me...save that for later!

Thanks,
Nam Do

Networking has a potential strength in the creation of relationships which can lead to business. Likewise, networking has a potential weakness which can lead to dead ended relationships and no business. Much has to do with how you view and use networking.

Whatever anyone does to generate referrals and leads it still always get back to: do you want what I got?

Finding that out is the question regardless of how people are found - you don't want to waste time of course.

I've known people who network in networking groups for years collecting shoe boxes and web templates of full of business cards and yet never generate much business.

Knowing who/what you are looking for is half the game. The other half is finding those people who identify themselves to you.

MitchM

You have to find a good networking group to belong to and then GIVE referrals before you expect to get referrals in return.

You can waste lots of time networking, never getting business in some cases and in others spend very little time, and develop good relationships quickly that turn into business.

In too many networking groups, the people there go because they are being told to go from their sales manager or boss. They may be more busy socializing that 'caring to network' at all. It is very important to find a serious group that is 'intent on helping each other, rather than doing a lot of talking about the importance of networking'.

It is not easy, but it could be very rewarding when the right one is found.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis27

During networking with people Should I ask them to take out life insurance policy from me . Please guide me

Doesn't it depend on where the networking ends and the selling begins? Do you really feel that you could do a proper needs analysis as a prerequisite to an underwriting process (making a sale) at a networking function? Or maybe I should ask whether you believe such an analysis is necessary to provide proper coverage.

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