Networking is like Black Jack

Copyright (c) 2007 Audrey Burton

Playing Black Jack (aka ‘21′) requires that you play by the
rules, or you ruin it for the other players.  When the
dealer has a card showing between 2 and 6, you never risk
going over 21.  That’s the rule.  More times than not, you
will come out ahead and so will everyone at the table.

You need to know and follow the rules in networking, too,
or you risk upsetting everyone at the table!  For example,
when you have 30 seconds to talk about your business,
respect that time.

When you follow the rules consistently in Black Jack –
combined with some skill – you win.  When you follow the
rules consistently in networking – combined with some skill
- you win there, too!

One of the rules that – when followed consistently – will
work for you, is to network at the right location.  Either
you attend networking events where your target market hangs
out (direct) or where your strategic alliances gather
(indirect).

For me, because there are numerous networking groups
organized just so my target market can gather, I am able to
gather where they meet.  I target women small business
owners.  If you have not yet selected a target, consider in
your selection process how accessible they are as well as
if they will actually pay you for your product/service.

Another important rule of networking is to give it enough
time.  If you only attend sporadically and/or expect great
returns after only a few visits, you will probably be
disappointed.  The way you win at networking is to build
relationships with people so you will be the first person
they think of when they need you or when they meet your
target market.

In Black Jack, you cannot expect to come in and play a few
hands and win big – you need to find the right table, stick
with it and then give it time.  In networking, you may need
to try out a few groups to see if your target is there and
if you click with the other people in the group.  Then keep
showing up consistently at least *7 times in a row* before
you will know if that group will bear fruit.

One difference is that in cards, the prevailing belief is
that you don’t count your mo’ney at the table.  At
networking, you should definitely be counting your mo’ney!
Otherwise you will not know if the networking you are doing
is working!

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Audrey Burton, Small Business Coach, is “The Tigress”.  Get
her FREE Special Report, “Closing the Sale is Not
Complicated!” and her FREE monthly email newsletter at
http://www.TigressCoaching.com .