Business Networking Meetings - How to Approach People and Five Of The Best Conversation Starters

If you are just getting started in your new business venture, or if you have owned your business for a while and want to expand your reach locally, you want to read every word of this article. It will explain how to maximize your time invested in attending live business networking meetings. When you finish reading this article, and even if you are a person who is shy by nature, you will be able to confidently start conversations and establish the business contacts and referral partners you have come for.

I will start by explaining what business networking meetings are, what they are not, then I will explain the basic fact about business only happening when people interact, and, finally, I will give you five easy conversation starters so you will be able to accomplish more in an hour than you ever thought possible.

What Are Business Networking Meetings

Business Networking Meetings - How to Approach People and Five Of The Best Conversation Starters

Business networking meetings are gathering of local business people who want to establish contacts in the community, and promote their own and other people's businesses. Usually the business networking meetings have at least two parts, an invited talk, and a social. If the social happens before the talk, it is best for you come to the meeting early. That way you can start your conversations sooner and get more accomplished.

Business Only Happens When People Interact

Many of us were told from young not to talk to strangers, that it is unsafe and risky to do so. As business owners we must overcome this fear. We must do it cautiously though. It is all well and good to start a conversation with a stranger in a business networking meeting. It is a safe environment. We should be careful however not to go to the other extreme either. We do not want to be overwhelmed by a person who has taken a liking of us and wants to chat about themselves for the entire allotted time. We must know how to leave a conversation like that quickly as well. I will write about this in another article. For now, let us focus on us being brand new to the meeting and getting the conversations started with the intent to get down to business, and establish useful connections that will be our source of referrals in the near future. Here are the five best conversation starters:

Five Conversation Starters

In this day and age, there is no time for obligatory politeness. You can skip introducing yourself also; you brought your business cards for that. The best way to start a conversation in a business networking meeting is to go directly to the point. Smile and ask: "So, What is Your Business?"

Then transition to asking about what their ideal customer is like. Finally, conclude the conversation by telling about your business, what the ideal customer is for you, and tell them that you came to the meeting to initiate the referrals. With that, exchange the business cards and move on. If for any reason, you are still having difficulties starting the conversation with the direct approach above, here are five additional questions you may want to ask to move the conversation along:

What separates your firm from the competition? What will be the coming trends in your business? Tell me about your most important work experience. How has the internet/Twitter/Facebook impacted your business? What do you enjoy most about your profession?

Here you have it. The best way to start a business networking meeting conversations, and five helper conversation starters. Now that you know how to approach your fellow entrepreneurs, and you know what to do and what not to do, you can go out and test this approach in the next business networking event. Keep in touch with the contacts you gather and your new referral partners will be fun for you and mutually beneficial.

Business Networking Meetings - How to Approach People and Five Of The Best Conversation Starters
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What Are the Effects of Social Networking Websites?

"Words can't describe me", is how Adnan Patrawala, 16 yr old teenager from Mumbai, India had described himself on his Orkut profile. However, his kidnappers and murderers got to know a little more of him and ensnared him into a trap which ultimately led to the death of the young boy. This is perhaps an extreme example of the social impact of these social networking sites such as Orkut, Facebook, MySpace and Friendster on today's youth. But there is no denying its presence or its effects in our lives and minds today.

Often these days when we make new friends we do not ask, "What's your number?" Or "What's your email id?" Instead we ask, "What's your MySpace"? or "Are you on Orkut?" Such is the impact of these sites on our lives .The way we speak, the way we interact and the way we think is changing. Words such as scrapping, blogging, teasers---which a few years back wouldn't have made any sense to anybody; but today it's being used with so much spontaneity.

As a matter of fact, Google even has links to sites, which gives the world's most popular acronyms. It is amusing but that is the way it is.

What Are the Effects of Social Networking Websites?

However, these sites fulfill a very basic criterion of humans. It is that of communication. People living in extreme corners of the world are seen to be getting married, friends from far-off places are able to keep in touch with each other and lovers from two parts of the world stay connected with each other's emotional needs. These help us make new friends, stay in touch with the old ones and let us know more about the persons we care... their likes, dislikes, interests and emotions.

There is an element of addictiveness in these sites and the youth are indeed getting endeared more and more into this addiction. The most appealing thing among these sites is that they provide a platform for the individuals to express their views, gives them the freedom of choice and expression... from anti-war campaigns to global warming issues, from Harry potter fan clubs to Osama bin Laden hate clubs... there is everything for everyone to share and speak about.

What else could be more appealing than the thought of being heard not just by your group of friends but to the whole wide world. And that is where I feel these sites are here to stay. It just emphasizes the fact that man is a social being and shall always remain so.

What Are the Effects of Social Networking Websites?
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Differences Between Formal and Informal Social Control

Social control can be considered as an important aspect of an individual's socialization process. There are some universal norms or rules which should be followed by members of all societies. Any deviation from these norms may result in a minimum level of punishment for ensuring the social order. It refers to the processes of regulation of an individual or group behavior in a society, which encourages conformity and obedience. It may include social or political mechanisms. Its two forms are formal and informal controls.

Formal Social Control:
Formal social control is implemented by authorized agents including police officers, employers, military officers, and others. It is carried out as a last option at some places when the desired behavior is not possible through informal social control. The situations and severity where formal control is practiced varies with countries.

This is practiced through law as statutes, rules, and regulations against deviant social behavior. For example, certain laws like prohibition of murder can be directed at all members of a society. Fishing and hunting regulations are made for certain groups. Corporate laws are laid for governing the behavior of social institutions. Formal control is conducted by government and organizations through law enforcement mechanisms. It can also be conducted through some formal sanctions including fines and imprisonment. Processes of formal control in democratic societies are determined and designed through legislation by elected representatives.

Differences Between Formal and Informal Social Control

Courts or judges, military officers, police officers, school systems or teachers, and government agencies or bureaucrats, enforce formal control.

Informal Social Control:
It is exercised by a society without stating any rules or laws. It is expressed through norms and customs. Social control is performed by informal agents on their own in an unofficial capacity. Traditional societies mostly embed informal social control culture to establish social order.

Shame, sarcasm, criticism, ridicule and disapproval are some of the informal sanctions. Social discrimination and exclusion are included in informal control at extreme deviant cases. Self-identity, self-worth and self-esteem are affected in informal control through loss of group approval or membership. The severity and nature of informal control mechanisms differ from varied individuals, groups, and societies.

Informal is effective in small group settings including friends, family, neighborhood, work group and others. However, in some large and complex societies, informal social control and disapproval is ignored easily. At such situations, it is necessary to follow the formal one.

Some of the differences of formal and informal social control are:

•Formal social control includes written, formalized and codified statements in laws, rules, and regulations. Whereas informal control does not contain any written rules.

•Formal control agencies are authorized ones created by government and informal control agencies are created by social networks and organizations but not by government.

•Formal control is much effective and stronger than informal social control. Any situations which cannot be handled by informal control are subjected to formal one.

•Formal control is effective for even large groups of population but informal control is effective only for a small group of people.

Social control, formal or informal, thus helps in regulation of society. The study of social control includes disciplines of sociology, anthropology, psychology, law and political science.

Differences Between Formal and Informal Social Control
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10 Top Network Marketing Products

The best network marketing products have a few things in common.

First, there are plenty of items to go around. An original oil, no matter how beautiful, just doesn't qualify here. A quality giclee reproduction does count.

Second, there is solid profit in it. You can either make a lot of money from a few sales, or a little money from a lot of sales. But a little money from few sales doesn't work.

10 Top Network Marketing Products

Third, these are marketing products that you have access to. There may be a great audio program on your topic that you know you could make a lot of money on, but if you can't become an affiliate it doesn't do you any good.

And most importantly, it must be a product that reflects your website topic. Selling vitamins on a site for jalopy owners really makes you seem desperate. No matter how desperate you really are, don't admit it. Stick with on-topic products and you will do better over the long run. Your online business needs to reflect the same quality as a brick and mortar store would have, if not more.

Even those four qualifiers immediately disqualify about 98% of the products out there for most sites. So, what's left? Well, here are our choices for the ten Best Network Marketing Products:

1. Natural products. Everything natural had its real hey day back in the 1960s. Surprisingly, there is a new surge in natural stuff. Natural cosmetics, natural clothing, natural vitamins, natural food. Everything.

2. Cosmetics. Speaking of cosmetics, women seem to have an insatiable appetite for looking beautiful. Choose a topic and a product that is a specialized niche, like mineral make up, and your sales will be much stronger than if you generalize for all types of makeup.

3. Vitamins and age-defying products. The world is getting older. No one likes to look older, or feel older. There is a big market for products that can rejuvenate and provide a barrier against aging.

4. Retirement options. Yep. All those people need places to live. They need products that make their lives easier and ensure their mobility. Even tours designed for retired people are a good option - 70 and 80 year old don't usually move as rapidly as teenagers, and they appreciate a bit slower paced travel event.

5. Parties. Kids parties. Retirement parties. Birthday parties. Quincineras. Bar and bat mitzvahs. All kinds of parties need decorations, ideas, and all kinds of network marketing products.

6. Designer clothing for large women. People are becoming super sized. Women in particular, no matter what their age, like to look sharp. Present great options for stylish attire. This is definitely a top network marketing product idea.

7. Children's clothing and toys. There are soon going to be lots more grandparents than grandchildren. That means that lots of grandparents are going to lavish their grandkids with lovely toys, clothing and goodies.

8. Auto accessories. Guys still have more love affairs with cars than with ladies. I don't even know the names of all the doodads they put on their cars, but there are lots of them. And there is lots of money to be made with these top network marketing products.

9. Movies. We are all still replacing our old videos with the new CD format, so there are millions and millions of movies yet to be sold. Pick your topic, and get a great selection for your clients to buy.

10. Self improvement products. The market for gaining self-confidence and friends and jobs has never waned. This has been a top network marketing product area for many years, and will likely be so for many more years to come.

Don't see your favorite among these top network marketing products? Not to worry. There's lots of room for your creative ideas as well.

10 Top Network Marketing Products
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MaryAnn Shank, the webmaster of http://www.YourNetworkMarketingCoach.com and http://www.BusinessPlanMaster.com has worked with online businesses for over ten years, creating new markets and developing established markets. She knows first hand the very real pitfalls of MLM marketing, and she knows that the future of online business lies in Network Marketing.

Networking for Success - The Top 5 Tips to Becoming a Great Networker

Meeting new people is never easy. But humans, by nature, are social beings that depend on other people to survive. We are taught, nurtured, and supported by others. Studies have even shown that individuals who lead solitary, non-social lives end up having shorter life spans than those who surround themselves with friends, colleagues, family and other acquaintances.

Building a large network may seem like a daunting and time-consuming task, but with the right attitude and mindset it can be very rewarding and a lot of fun! These 5 tips are some helpful ideas to get you started on your road to networking success.

1. Expand your definition of "networking event"

Networking for Success - The Top 5 Tips to Becoming a Great Networker

The first step to becoming a great networker is understanding that every single time you find yourself surrounded by people you don't know, you are at a networking event. From Chamber of Commerce meetings to a neighbor's child's birthday party, every time you meet someone new you are building your network.

It is always important to be on your best behavior (look your best, feel your best, send out positive signals to others) because you never know who you are going to meet.

Plenty of people mix work with pleasure, and the best networkers always do. Remember, people like doing business with people they like. What better way to connect with a potential client than socially? That's when you really get to call your clients friends!

2. Ooze positivity and friendliness

You walk into a party where you know no one. You take a look around the crowded room. Not knowing where else to begin, you go to the buffet - more to look like you're doing something than because you're actually hungry. There's a man getting food right next to you, but he doesn't even look your way. He must know you're there. Across the buffet is a woman who looks up at you, makes eye contact, smiles and beams, "Doesn't the food look fantastic?"

Who would you like to speak with? Of course, the woman! She's friendly, positive and has put you at ease by starting the conversation off with a simple statement about something you have in common - the food. You continue chatting with her while you nibble on appetizers and the man beside you quietly disappears into the wallpaper. He missed a very simple opportunity to connect with others.

The moral of the story: ooze positivity and friendliness from every pore. Everyone is just as nervous and insecure as you are. Make others feel at ease with a smile and positive comment and you'll be surprised how easy small talk can be!

3. Be yourself

It's amazing how much we can read into other people. Have you ever had a "bad feeling" about someone you just met? I sure have. And when I sit down and try to figure out what it is that bothers me about this person I don't even know, I usually end up with the same conclusion: the person is hiding something. I feel like the person isn't entirely sincere or honest, or that he/she is putting on some kind of show to impress people. The irony of it all is that these people will be much less successful in their networking attempts than those who let their true, less than brilliant colors show.

How can you really "connect" with someone if you aren't giving your authentic self to the other person? Even if you manage to slip by during the first encounter and make a good impression, eventually your façade will begin to chip and crumble and the other person will end up losing respect for you - not because they don't like who you really are, but because they feel deceived by your attempts to be someone you're not.

4. Show a sincere interest in others

Fact: people like to talk about themselves and things that interest them. If you want to be a good communicator, let people do just that.

It may be surprising to hear that to be a good networker you actually don't have to talk very much! In fact, the best networkers talk very little. Instead, they listen actively to the other person, nodding in approval, opening their mouths only to add a reassuring, "Oh, I see," or "How wonderful!" They also ask open-ended questions and encourage the speaker to continue.

The person could be talking about their new puppy or latest fishing trip - it really doesn't matter what the topic is. If you let them share their passion openly they will walk away excited about your encounter and feeling good about you because you showed a true interest in them.

Notice I said true interest. This is important. Simply saying, "Uh-huh," over and over again while you skim the room for someone else to talk to is not going to get you far in the networking scene. Give the speaker 100% of your attention and focus on what is being shared. Ask yourself how you can help this person instead of always thinking about what the other person can do for you.

5. Just go!

It doesn't matter how busy, tired or hungry you are (those little appetizers will never hold you over)! I've heard all the excuses. In fact, I've used them all myself! But remember, every time you skip an event where you have the opportunity to network, you are potentially missing a unique opportunity to meet someone who could change your life forever - personally, professionally or both.

That may sound like a far-reaching statement, but it's true. Think of the people who have helped you the most in your life. Think of the people who you have had the opportunity to help and how helping them made you feel. Where did you meet these people? Most are likely to be family members. You were lucky to be born into that support group. But what about the others?

You never know when you will meet someone new and interesting that not only can help you in some way, but will also give you the opportunity to help. That is really what networking is all about. As you give to others, you also gain.

The gains might be financial in the form of a connection to a new job. They could be mental in the form of a really interesting conversation where you learn something new that changes the way you see the world. Or the gains could simply be the emotional high of meeting someone new and "connecting" with them on some basic human level.

You will never know until you go!

Networking for Success - The Top 5 Tips to Becoming a Great Networker
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Heather Hansen, founder of Singapore-based Hansen Speech & Language Training, is an executive speech and language coach, writer and trainer. If you want to boost your linguistic abilities and become a powerful speaker, visit her website http://www.hansenslt.com now for free information on how to speak clearly, correctly and confidently! Join her mailing list to receive your free special report, Speak Clearly! and as a special bonus you'll also receive her monthly newsletter, Speak like a Star!

Elevator Speech Template Examples - Basic 30 Second Introduction Scripts

An elevator speech remains one of the most important networking and marketing tools you have at your very disposal. Of course every business is different and it is all very well talking to people at networking events and so on, but how do you make sure you grab their attention? Is there a template that can be followed that allows you to come up with a 30 second introduction for YOUR business?

Actually there is a format that has proven success and can be applied to pretty much any business that aspires to have clients! Hopefully that is every business that wants to stay solvent!

There are some pre-requisites to achieving success with this approach and the main one is developing a clear idea of your ideal client and the issues with which they are struggling. Closely related is how you help them - what does your company do that solves the chosen challenges of your ideal client base.

Elevator Speech Template Examples - Basic 30 Second Introduction Scripts

Armed with that information, the more detail you have the better, here is the template to follow for any business:

Part 1: Who You are

Hi, My name is... from (company name)

That is all you need. Obviously if you are in a conversation already and someone asks you what you do you don't need to reintroduce yourself! You can also vary this along the lines of: "I'm Jerry and my company is..."

Most importantly, resist the temptation to expand this into a long explanation of where your office is located, when the business was founded, how many employees you have and so on. Shorter is better

Part 2: Who you help

We help (this target audience)...

Again, as short and targeted as possible. Avoid the temptation here to think everyone is your IDEAL client. Messages such as: "We work with anyone who owns a car" is too broad. There is leeway here to change the words as well of course. Pick a variation with which you are comfortable - we work with, we help, I am focused on etc.

Part 3: What problem do you address

Who have (this problem, issue or challenge)

You don't need to elaborate for minutes on end. Define the main problem you solve - not the solution at this stage.

Part 4: What they get

So they get (this particular solution)

The best way to couch these parts is using language that speaks to the emotions of your ideal client - frustration, anger, annoyance, fear, worry and so on.

For example:

Hi, I'm Jerry from Acme Insurance. We help home owners in Leawood who are worried they don't have adequate coverage or even that they are over-covered. With us they get over the frustration of not knowing and get the peace of mind they want by knowing they are insured appropriately.

Elevator Speech Template Examples - Basic 30 Second Introduction Scripts
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Jerry Smith is the co-founder of Marketing Action Club, focusing on small service based businesses and independent professionals who want to grow but struggle to attract quality clients consistently.

Visit http://www.30SecondElevatorSpeech.com for a step by step, online program to lead you through producing an effective, attention grabbing introduction for you and your business.

Social Networking - Netiquette

Over the years, the beauty of the Internet has opened many different doors pertaining to socializing, networking, and the overall art of communication. Today, computer users of all ages are exploring the possibilities associated with chat rooms, discussion boards, forums, and online personals. Sending emails, instant messaging family and friends, and relaying text messages across the World Wide Web are also popular forms of contact. Despite the fact that users are unseen behind the guise of their computer, there is still a written and unwritten code of conduct that exists about the Internet.

Even in the world of online communication, one may offend, confuse, and irritate the people they send emails to or speak with in a chat room. Just as you participate in face-to-face communication, you are often aware of the way you move your body, execute hand gestures, or raise your voice. When contacting others across the Internet, there are also certain messages conveyed through the way you type out your thoughts. One of the most irritating online habits involves the use of all-caps when typing to others. Not only are long strings of capped words a strain on the eyes to read, but is often viewed as "shouting."

When typing emails or chatting with others while online, spelling and grammar really does count in not only making people see your side of things, but also promoting intelligent and free-flowing conversation. Usually, glaring spelling mistakes cause a distraction and confusion in correspondences. Additionally, just because you attempt to avoid making spelling errors and lapses in grammar - doesn't mean you have the right to criticize others for their poor use of the English language. It is highly suggested to ignore the spelling mistakes of others and concentrate on the way you communicate while online.

Social Networking - Netiquette

Additional email etiquette rules include the avoidance of sending or forwarding junk mail and Internet hoaxes, forwarding virus warnings (which are sometimes hoaxes), replying to all recipients of a collectively sent email, and sending unnecessarily large attachments.

There are also plenty of "netiquette" issues to recognize when communicating with others in online communities (chat rooms and forums). One of the first things to do when joining a chat room, forum, or other online group is familiarize oneself with the rules or guidelines of the service. This practice comes in rather handy and helps one avoid any future online confrontations or misunderstandings.

At all times, your privacy should be protected, as well as other members of the online community. It is unwise to use full names in chat room correspondences and is rude to ask the full names of those you come in contact with. Staying on topic is also a rule of Internet etiquette. For instance, if you have joined a chat room community regarding model airplanes, it is often inappropriate to start sharing your marital problems with others. Using offensive language is warned against and is usually punished (suspension or ban).

When chatting, it is also suggested to keep messages short and present information in the most concise manner. Also, a common practice is to use abbreviations, but not everyone is familiar with the current lingo and this should be kept in mind - the abbreviation of your words and phrases should be used sparingly.

Overall, it is suggested to treat communication across the Internet in the same manner that you like to receive correspondences. Usually, the things that irritate you are the same actions others dislike as well.

Social Networking - Netiquette
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Linda J. Allen is the co-founder of GirlfriendsCafe.com, an online social networking site for women throughout the United States and Canada.

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