By Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder of BNI

  1. Have your networking tools with you at all times-business cards, nametag, referral slips, pen, etc.
  2. Set a goal for the number of people you would like to meet. Make it a reasonable number like 3 or 4, not 20.
  3. Act like a host, not a guest. Greet people as they arrive. Select people that belong in your contact sphere with whom to spend more time.
  4. Listen and ask the 5 W’s – Who, What, When, Where and Why. You have 2 (two) ears and 1 (one) mouth, use them proportionally.
  5. Give a referral whenever possible. Listen for opportunities to solve people’s problems by connecting them with other chamber members.
  6. Describe your product or service in 60 seconds or less.
  7. Exchange business cards with people you meet. Ask ‘Can I contact you next week?’
  8. Spend 10 minutes or less with each person you meet and don’t linger with friends and associates. You didn’t come here to socialize with people you already know.
  9. Write comments on the back of the business cards you collect so you can remember the person later. Write their needs on the card, ex: building a house, moving, back trouble, looking to build a new business.
  10. Follow up with people you meet. Contact each of the 3 (three) or 4 (four) people that you connected with and invite them to your referral group meeting.

Read more articles from VOM Magazine here: https://www.veteransoutreachministries.org/vom-magazine/