I love networking mixers. Almost enough to order a bumpersticker that says so. If it has been a while since you have been to your last business networking mixer, now is the time to plan for the next one that you’ll attend. If you have never been to one, you’re really missing out on some phenomenal opportunities for your VA business.
Networking is important. Virtual Assistants are often good at networking online, but face-to-face networking should be equally important to you. Business networking mixers are great because you get to meet other professionals in a relaxed and casual environment. You will be amazed at the phenomenal contacts you will make at a mixer.
A lot of overstressed business owners and professionals have never heard of a Virtual Assistant, much less considered the benefits of teaming with one. It’s a great opportunity to introduce an option to them that can have an exponential impact on their success and dave their sanity at the same time. And by building a professional relationship with the businesses and people in your area, they develop a favorable impression of the VA industry.
If you are looking to get all you can out of the next business networking mixer that you attend, you may want to try the following:
Offer your hand. Not sure how to start up a conversation with the person next to you? It’s simple. Initiate a handshake, smile, look them in the eye, say hello and introduce yourself. It really is that easy. Be happy. Be enthusiastic. Be yourself (unless you happen to be neither happy nor enthusiastic, in which case you should be anyone but yourself.)
Bring plenty of business cards. Pass them out to everyone you meet. Don’t be shy. Going without business cards is like going without pants — and every bit as bad. When you hand someone your card, ask for theirs if they don’t immediately present it.
Dress conservatively. Many mixers are casual, but you still want to appear professional. This is not the time to show up in cut offs and flip flops. My advice is to dress in “business” or “business casual” attire. People will make judgements about you before you ever meet them, so make sure that you appear to be someone that they can benefit by knowing.
Engage the other person in conversation about their business. It’s easy to keep the conversation going when you ask someone to talk about themselves or their business. What do they do? What do they love most about it? What are their challenges? How is business currently? What is the next step that they plan to take? Pay special attention to everything they say because you will learn specifically how they could best benefit from your services.
Share what you do. Chances are, when you say that you are a Virtual Assistant, a lot of people will ask, “What is that?” What a great opportunity to share how you partner with other business owners and busy professionals to help them leverage their time and increase their productivity! Open their eyes to the possibility of what a VA can do for them. If they seem interested in working with you, schedule a time for an initial consultation.
Follow up with the new contacts that you made afterwards. Now that you have a stack of business cards from all of the people that you met, don’t just let them sit in a drawer collecting dust. Give them a phone call, send them an email, or mail them a card and let them know that you enjoyed the opportunity to talk to them at the mixer. They will be impressed with your initiative and will be reminded of the services that you provide.
So look in your local paper, call your chamber of commerce, read your local business publications and find out when the next business mixer is being held and make plans to attend. You will be glad that you did.
