Our Valentine’s Gift to you – Networking Tips!

One of the key advantages of being a KLCBT member, is to gain access to our many networking functions and opportunities.  Today marks such an occasion as we host our very first function for 2026.  Whether you will join us in a few minutes or you sadly had to miss it, perhaps it is an opportune time to share my top tips for networking to use in your everyday business environment.

1. Show up—Grab every possible networking opportunity you can!    This is the single most important tool in the marketing box.

2. Dress up—Dess for the occasion, not too casual and not too smart, do not intimidate or put off people you want to network with.

3. Pitch perfect—Have a 30 second pitch ready, a polished very well crafted and interesting pitch on your business offerings, off the cuff!

4. Be memorable—Be your unique self and make your personality     connect with your business as a memorable combination.

5. Listen as well as you talk—listen more than you talk, you might hear of someone who might need your services or you may find an        interesting idea for your next business venture.

6. Undivided attention—When you are networking or meeting for that matter, do not get distracted with anything around you, put your phone away!  Give the other person your full attention.

7. Note contacts—Get those business cards, take photos, store details in your contact book, make notes on paper, anything, just keep them.

8. Follow up—Once you are back at the office, follow up with an email or a whatsapp to thank them for meeting them and make a follow-up appointment if you are interested in doing business with them.

9. Update your socials—invite your new contacts on your social networks, i.e. Facebook, linked in etc.  This is your homework at the end of each day.

10. Prioritize Maintenance—Make a point to phone at least 10    people a week from your contact book (just 2 per day), just catch up with a friendly ‘hello’ to see if they have any new    offerings or services and you present the same—a simply 3- minute call, not long stories, don’t waste time, just a catch-up.

11. Stay front of mind—Make an effort to recommend other        businesses to people you meet or know.  Link local businesses to potential clients you may meet.  Do this as often as possible, it costs nothing.  If you become known to refer business,      everybody else will also start referring businesses to you! 

By doing this you will surely be first on any potential invitee list for  future networking opportunities and then the magic circle is complete! 

Go get them!