Great Connections For A Lifetime
by Anita Sirianni

Being in-the-know, connected, and having a finger on the pulse of the action all happens through consistent networking efforts. Every successful sales representative has a database or card file filled with contacts to die for! Let's discuss a few ways you can get your "Net working" for you.

SELLING YOURSELF SHOULD BE A CONSTANT PROCESS
Think of three of the most success-ful people you know. Do you notice anything about the number of people they meet and are involved with? Highly successful people work hard at creating opportunities to meet people. Consider approaching people while in elevators, restaurants or while shopping. Make standing in lines at the post office, grocery store, or airport, work for you. Once you begin a conversation, let people know what compa-ny you represent, the position you hold, and something of interest that makes you unique or special. In other words, develop a 30-second "commercial" about who you are as a professional and as a person. Oftentimes, we tend to promote the suc-cess of our company and not ourselves; this limits our opportunities. Marketing yourself is not bragging. You are simply giving more people more reasons to remember you. Carry business cards always. Be sure to collect the cards of peo-ple you meet. Business cards are your keys to beginning life-long professional relationships.

A ROLODEX STUFFED WITH BUSINESS CARDS IS OF NO VALUE
É unless you work the contacts. Stay in creative contact with people. Sending a fol-low- up note after an initial meeting is always a good way to distinguish yourself and brighten someone's day. How did you feel the last time that you received a per-sonal note? The next time you read an article or newsletter, think of people who might be interested in its content. Jot a note or staple your business card to the copy you send Ñ it will remind them of your gesture. Perhaps, you recently have attended a seminar, read a good book, or know of a speaker or expert. People really appreciate quick telephone calls or mes-sages with information of value. More often, you are remembered for the consid-erate gesture more than the content of your message. However, be careful not to misuse the correspondence by providing information of no relevance; the impact will have a dramatic opposite effect!

BE OF SERVICE TO OTHERS
There's no better way for you to advertise your skills and sell yourself than to use your expertise to help people. "What goes around does come around," as the saying goes. Problem solving or helping others will have an impact on people that will pay you back many times. Share your expertise in a variety of ways. Send a copy of an article or book you have written. Or a tape or notes of a program you have pro-duced. You might agree to a luncheon and offer some consultation time. Using your experience and expertise to add value to Being in-the-know, connected, and having a finger on the pulse of the action all happens through consistent networking efforts. Every successful sales representative has a database or card file filled with contacts to die for! Let's discuss a few ways you can get your "Net working" for you.

GET IN THEIR FACE!
People like doing business directly with other people! Businesses spend billions of dollars each year on advertising, promotion, and marketing. Yet, their effectiveness pales when compared to the power of personal contact and relationships. Doubt it? Consider the last time you were vying for business against a competitor that had "background" with the client. The most important thing you can do to effectively market yourself is to establish relation-ships with people. By incorporating just a few of these ideas into your work habits, you will be astounded by the rewards. Start Now! Anita Sirianni, the Professional Sales Coach, speaks from experience.

A top performer in sales for over 20 years, today she is one of the industry's most popular sales trainers and consultants, providing customized programs for leading corporations throughout the world. For more information call (800) 471-2619 or visit www.AnitaSirianni.com.

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