Build Your Network Faster with Smarter Questions
Networking can be a waste of time or it can be very profitable. What’s determines
the difference? You – and how you approach the science of networking. To build a more profitable
network you need to understand and master the power of questioning.
Networking without good questioning is doomed to failure.
Follow these three ways to improve your questioning
skills:
Prepare and ask good questions
Good questions will help you to better identify and target the prime prospects
that you want in your network. Questions with purpose will move you faster to your goals then idle gossip. Good
questions asked well will engage your networking contacts in interesting conversation.
Engaging conversation will make them think. It might make them laugh. It will help
them remember you because we tend to remember interesting people. And it will help them to help you better
because they will better understand your needs and mindset.
Good questions demonstrate forethought. Good questions don’t happen by accident.
Don’t try to wing it. Networking will required a significant investment of your time. Networking done well
can be very profitable for you. Why would you wing anything so important?
Anticipate and prepare for questions
If you were summoned to a job interview you would think about and prepare answers to
the questions you think you will be asked. Consider every networking event as a job interview. Think about,
anticipate and prepare good answers for the questions you might be asked.
Don’t be like the financial planner I met at a networking event. She had a catchy
opening line. Then I asked her about what books she based her investment philosophy upon or might recommend.
Her halting reply was that she did not support any of the books out there. What a ridiculous answer. She
immediately lost all credibility with me. That ended the conversation as I dismissed her. Her only networking
tool was a clever opening line but her inability to answer my question demonstrated lack of planning and thus
a useless networking contact.
Ask yourself good questions
This type of question is the most important to the success of your
networking. While planning your networking strategy ask yourself about your purpose, assumptions and
expectations.
What do you want your networking to do for you? How will you make your networking as
productive as possible? What are you willing to invest (time, thought and money) in your networking
activities to enjoy the best return on your investment? How will you improve your networking skills? How will
you learn the science of networking? Who are the difference types of contacts that you want in your network?
How will you identify them and nurture those relationships?
Become a master of smart questions
Some networkers are afraid of questions. Why? Maybe they have something to hide. Maybe they are
afraid to grow. People who want to grow are learners and learners are people who ask good questions.
Albert
Einstein continually asked difficult questions of others and especially of
himself. Einstein would have been an incredibly effective networker.
Be aware of the myth that “there are no dumb questions”. In fact there are many dumb
questions – so think and prepare smart questions. “How’s business?” is a dumb question. “What’s new?” is a
dumb networking question.
To get better networking results become a master of smart
questions.
© George Torok is author of “Your Networking Guide to Success”. Learn how easy it is
to be a smarter and more profitable networker at www.NetworkingExposed.com
George Torok is the coauthor of the bestselling “Secrets of Power Marketing” the
first guide to personal marketing for the non-marketer. Read a free excerpt from this book at http://www.powermarketing.ca/
Find more free networking tips at http://www.business-networking-tips.net/
George Torok is the author of “Your Guide to Networking Success”. He is the
co-author of the national bestseller, “Secrets of Power Marketing”, the first guide to personal marketing for
the non-marketer. As host of the weekly radio show he has interviewed over 400 business leaders.
Order your copy of “Your Guide to Networking Success” at www.NetworkingExposed.com
© 2000-08 George Torok All Rights Reserved
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