Generating Interest - Sincere & Genuine
The foundation for networking is to have a systematic plan. John Paul Getty had a very simple plan for success. It was;
1. "get up early"
2. "work hard"
3. "find oil"
Good plan, however the only problem is that he doesn't tell us how we can; Find Oil.
TNC's system for finding oil or advancing contacts into contracts consists of five fundamental steps. In previous episodes of "A Year in the Life of a Networker", I shared about the first step; "Creating Awareness." This month's episode is all about step two from TNC's five step networking process - "Generating Interest."
The best philosophy for generating interest is based on a quote from my favorite book on networking entitled; "How to Win Friends and Influence People". It's legendary author, Dale Carnegie said; "It is easier to win more friends in two months by expressing a sincere interest in others, than in two years by trying to get other people interested in you". But keep in mind that you have to be specific and sincere in networking when asking questions to elicit interest. I was once asked at a networking event by a person I hadn't seen in a couple months, this opening question; Hi Dan, Bring me up to date on the rest of your life." The more precise you can be with your interest questions the more credible and sincere you will be perceived. Again, you need to be sincerely and genuinely interested.
Here are three specific questions to help you share a sincere interest in your fellow networker;
1. Can you name a couple of organizations that you belong to?
2. What was your most difficult business decision in the last year and what made it so difficult?
3. If you could share one piece of advice you have learned to make networking more effective, what would it be?
You will find with approach that you not only will get people talking about their favorite topic; themselves, but you will be able to win friends and influence people to be interested in you.
1. "get up early"
2. "work hard"
3. "find oil"
Good plan, however the only problem is that he doesn't tell us how we can; Find Oil.
TNC's system for finding oil or advancing contacts into contracts consists of five fundamental steps. In previous episodes of "A Year in the Life of a Networker", I shared about the first step; "Creating Awareness." This month's episode is all about step two from TNC's five step networking process - "Generating Interest."
The best philosophy for generating interest is based on a quote from my favorite book on networking entitled; "How to Win Friends and Influence People". It's legendary author, Dale Carnegie said; "It is easier to win more friends in two months by expressing a sincere interest in others, than in two years by trying to get other people interested in you". But keep in mind that you have to be specific and sincere in networking when asking questions to elicit interest. I was once asked at a networking event by a person I hadn't seen in a couple months, this opening question; Hi Dan, Bring me up to date on the rest of your life." The more precise you can be with your interest questions the more credible and sincere you will be perceived. Again, you need to be sincerely and genuinely interested.
Here are three specific questions to help you share a sincere interest in your fellow networker;
1. Can you name a couple of organizations that you belong to?
2. What was your most difficult business decision in the last year and what made it so difficult?
3. If you could share one piece of advice you have learned to make networking more effective, what would it be?
You will find with approach that you not only will get people talking about their favorite topic; themselves, but you will be able to win friends and influence people to be interested in you.
posted by The Networking Community Radio Show at
6:34 PM
