May 19, 2022 – If you want to be truly great at sales, you need to be great at networking. Your network is one of your greatest assets as a sales representative. If you build it right, your professional network can grow into a constant source of new business, warm introductions, and direct referrals. The challenge with growing your network is ensuring that your network doesn’t come at the expense of your reputation.
Here are some ways to be better at building your network:
- Make it about the other person
When you are trying to connect with a new contact, find out who they are and what motivates them. If you immediately start talking about yourself or your products, it could be more difficult to build a bridge with that person. Networking is all about first impressions, and any successful networking interaction lives on the first impression someone has of you.
- Differentiate yourself from others
Make yourself more approachable by showing how you might be different from other sales reps. Standing out from the crowd at a networking event might be the only way to make sure people remember your name. Whether it’s in how you introduce yourself or the style of business card you’re using, try to make yourself memorable without making the wrong impression.
- Deliver on your value
A lack of follow-through is a huge problem in sales. It’s easy for sales reps to feel like once a deal is closed that the job is done, and they can move on. Networking can often produce the same results. Adding someone to your network and never reaching out again shows a lack of sincerity. This could eventually catch up to your reputation.