Would you believe that you are probably about seven contacts away from Bill Gates? When you participate in various networking events, your chances to meet influential people who can make a big difference to your business soar.

Again, for the list of suitable networking events consult these:

• Chambers of commerce and other business networking groups
• Members of your associations and various organizations
• Your customers’ “watering holes”
• Any other relevant networking events where you might meet important people with contacts to customers

So how can you maximise the effectiveness of your networking strategy so that you win more business?

Let’s work on your 3 power questions, you will always have ready when participating at networking events:

1. Ask them what are the issues in your they (or their friends, customers, partners etc.) are facing right now or what are their desires in the area
2. Ask them to elaborate on that – and LISTEN to them!
3. Ask them how can they see their issues solved

Now try to put the above in your own words.

Are you struggling with your your business on your own or do you work in conjunction with a group of partners where you support each other?

Were you aware that once a customer gets referred to you, they turn into a paying customer much easier, and tend to stay with you much longer?

So what do you need if you want to benefit from successful referral marketing?

• Know how to have your business cards designed effectively
• Understand the benefits of working with partners and how to make it all happen
• Break into the world of networking and get some business out of it
• See how exhibitions don’t need to be just a waste of money

The answer is hidden in the acronym: RAISE. Read more on how referrals, if you develop and implement a decent strategy, will boost your sales. However, this is not going to happen over a night, unless you…

Technorati Tags: downturn, economic downturn, more sales, networking, raise, referrals, revenue, sales, sales consultant, sales process, sales system