I give out a enormous number of business cards per day – each one is roughly about 27p each and believe me, they are awesome! Yet without a doubt, I never hear back from entrepreneurs that I give them to.
Anyone can start a business and anyone can be a entrepreneur but unless you treat it as a full time career, you will fail. I offer new entrepreneurs the opportunity that most are dreaming for – introductions. If I like you, then I will want to help you. This includes introducing you to customers, businesses and those all important investors. Yes, I do know them but like everything in life, you can’t get the goodies without doing some work yourself.
So here is my tips for all those who attend events:
1) Networking is the most critical skill that you must have and you have to continue to do it everywhere – 9 in 10 startups fail but in my experience, the shelf life for a newbie is even less. You have less than 6 months to impress with results and 3 months from the time you start to leverage your network. Why? People are busy and they are less likely to remember you after 3 months unless you have something to offer them.
2) Networking does not mean just collecting business cards but following up. A kind email with thanks goes a long way to reinforce the relationships. In my example, it makes the biggest difference in those I chose to help and those I sideline.
3) Its still about personality – getting into the door for a networking event is easy but building a relationship is harder. So be prepared to talk outside the box rather than just a particular idea.
4) When at a event – it is easy to identify who is who – age, clothes and groups often identify where you fit. Developers stick with developers and investors stay in each group for a set amount of time so they will move around. Recognise who is who. Makes it easier for you to enter into a group.
5) Don’t ever argue – this isn’t the time for it. If you let your ego get the better of you, people will be offended. Developers are the worst at this – micro vision means that they have little commercial experience so whilst they might have a valid point, from a macro point of view, its seems pointless.
6) Exchange business cards – the worst you can do is take one and not offer anything in return. I judge people on their willingness to exchange and particularly impress with those who actually read the business card. Remember, if you have nothing to exchange then the discussion will become uncomfortablely focused on the person giving the card.
7) Never put it in your back pocket – its rude!
8) Take note of who the person is and have a pen ready – make notes on the business card to remember something about them.
9) Follow up. For heaven sake, send them a email thanking them. Have a action to follow up – a promise of information is a easy and good way to continue the relationship.
10) Add them to linkedin – a profile and picture is a great way to remember them.
11) Have a good signature in your email – outlining what you do and your contact details.
Be civil, be nice and be funny. Your success depends on it. Losing £5 a day on business cards is a small price to pay because it just takes that one new contact to get things moving.
