Do you find yourself frequently caught off-guard when confronted with informal networking situations? When I first became an entrepreneur, I focused so much on formal networking events, that I totally overlooked the every day opportunities to connect with people - at soccer games, dinners out, even the evening commuter train.
I was often unprepared when someone asked what I did or requested a business card.
My answers were either too long and complicated to be understood or too short and simple to be useful.
While I tried to shrug it off as not wanting to be a bore, deep down I knew I was missing out on some good opportunities.
Since networking in informal situations is different than networking at a business event, I came up with some personal guidelines to follow.
I did not want to make every dinner conversation be about me and my business and drive all my friends away.
On the other hand, I did not want to miss opportunities by failing to talk about the exciting value of my business.
The following are the guidelines that I developed to talk about my business as a Micro-business Development Specialist who focuses on Women Entrepreneurs.
You can adapt these guidelines to fit comfortably with your business and your social network.
1) I always carry my business cards.
This does not mean, however, that I always give them out.
But I have them if they are needed.
If someone wants my phone number or website, I give them my card rather than having them write it down.
If they want the number of a friend or the name of a good mechanic, I write it on my business card and hand it to them.
2) I refer to myself and my business in a short, informal way that friends and acquaintances can remember.
Instead of saying my full title, I might say, "I help women grow their small businesses".
They're able to remember that and repeat it to their own friends and acquaintances.
3) I have an informal version of my 30 second commercial, that's appropriate to social situations.
"I help women overcome some of the challenges they face in building their own businesses.
Many of them have a lot of passion and drive but need some help marketing themselves, getting out on the internet, or making better use of their time.
" 4) I have a description of my ideal client that is simple and memorable.
It helps them picture which of their friends might need my services.
"I like to work with women who are either just starting their businesses or are trying to make existing businesses grow.
A lot of them are juggling family responsibilities or working full time jobs on the side and don't have time to learn everything the hard way.
I help them to find out what works best for them and to make fewer mistakes along the way.
" Networking in social situations can be challenging but it also can be rewarding.
If your friends and neighbors have a good idea of what it is you do, they are more likely to refer their other friends to you.
This means that when done with sensitivity and self-restraint, informal networking might be the best networking investment you make.
Do you want to learn more about overcoming the everyday challenges of building a business? Sign up for my free special report Getting Out of Your Own Way: 7 Steps to Sustainable Success for Women Entrepreneurs: Small Business Success [http://www.
morethanweknow.
com/7-secrets-of-sustainable-success-for-women-entrepreneurs/].