Networking is just another word for living.  In sales or in business the way to grow is as simple as “having conversations with more people” That’s what we do as people, and that is what we need to do as sales people.

This can happen at an organized meeting such as Rotary, Kiwanis, and Chamber of Commerce meetings.  It can just as easily take place at the grocery store, the gas station and the baseball game.  If you went to an organized networking event and met with, and had a good feeling about one person there, you would consider that a worthwhile event.  That same person could have been met and talked to at the gas station with the same results.  One must always be prepared for the “spontaneous meeting”.

You should look for these unusual encounters.  You will see that they happen more and more, the more you are talking with people.  Amazingly they were just thinking about you. Or they decided just this weekend that they needed a new deck that you could build. Or, they decided this morning that they want to sell their business, which you could help them with.  (This particular example happened to me again just yesterday)  Things happen while in conversation with people.

Here are the rules for conversation:
1. ask about them
2. ask about their family, health, and job
3. dig deeper about them
4. ask how you can help them
5. think of who else can help them and make a referral
6. take action and give value to them

With this attitude and sincere friendship, the partner in this conversation will open up and become a raving fan of you and your business.  Not because they have to, but because they want to.  It is all about the relationship, and all about you giving value first expecting nothing and getting everything.  That is the way to network, and that’s way to live.