Good Networking Etiquette

I was recently asked to do a presentation for a local ABWA on Networking Etiquette.  After doing a few hours of research, I came to the conclusion that most of what most articles were saying, is what I have been advocating in previous presentations and articles.  Here is my synopsis.  I have also included a list of resources at the end.

The dictionary defines etiquette as conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority in social or official life.  

 To me – Good Networking Etiquette is in simple terms, just the good manners your Mama taught you.  

So with this definition as a guiding principle, etiquette is even more important in a networking situation than in others because most who are in the "taking" end do not even realize that their behaviors - and even attitudes - are making it hard for those at the "giving" end to be gracious about being considerate.

Are you –

·       In Sales

o   Sales Reps use networking to build relationships with potential and existing clients, prospects, and vendors.  Let’s face it; people do business with people they know, like, and trust.

·       Looking for a job

o   According to the Wall Street Journal, 94% of new job finders cited networking as their primary mode of job search.

·       Have a job

o   Think you don’t have to network because you’re not looking for a job or in sales?  Think again.  A recent poll by Inc.com found that 48% of their readers believed that personal connections are the primary factor that most often leads to getting ahead in an organization.  No matter how qualified you are, unless you have strong relationships with key players, your advancement opportunities are limited.

Really good networking is about humility and serving others.  Showing interest in others.  Seeking influence for the sake of making people’s lives better.

Here are some ‘Dos and Don’ts’ for Good Networking Etiquette –

·       Arrive on time or better yet, arrive early.  Check out the location.  Meet the host.

·       Wear a name tag.  Wear it on your right side so that it is visible when you shake hands.

·       Have plenty of business cards that are easily accessible.  (Men do not carry your cards in your back pocket.)  (Ladies – you do not want to have to dig in your purse for your cards.  Better yet, leave the big bulky purse in the car.  Either wear a jacket with pockets or carry a small shoulder bag so as to keep your hands free.)

·       Eat before the event or arrive early, eat and then network.  To me there’s nothing worse than someone eating and trying to talk about their business.

·       (I found this to be interesting in my research) Most people do not like to talk while they are in the food and/or beverage the line, but they do in the dessert line.  So a good place to position yourself is near the desserts.

·       If you have to have a drink, carry or hold it in your left hand so that your hand isn’t wet when you shake hands.

·       Don’t know anyone at the event?  No problem – Go introduce yourself to the person who looks lost.  “Good things don’t happen to those who wait – They happen to those who initiate.”

·       When introducing yourself, say your full name and your company name, especially in a business situation.

·       Women should extend their hand first, especially to a man.  Have a firm not a weak or death grip handshake – web to web.

·       Have a 5 to 10 second infomercial prepared –  KISS (Keep it Simple).  Focus on the benefit or goal of your business.  Have it well rehearsed so that it is will sound natural.

o   For example:  “I help people keep in touch with their clients and prospects with affordable marketing solutions.”  And then say – “And what do you do?”  put the focus back on them.

·       Focus on the person you’re talking with.  Make eye contact at least 60% of the time.  Or you can look at their facial features.  Smile and nod your head.  Your non-verbal communication will indicate that you care and have a genuine interest in what they are saying.

·       Listen 80% and talk 20%.  It’s not about you; it’s about getting to know them.  Ask thoughtful questions, i.e. How did you get started in business?  Or What is the most interesting aspect of your business?

·       If you are interested in following up with them, ask for their business card.  Look at it.  Comment on it or ask a question.  Again show interest.  Don’t automatically hand over your card, although that is what most people do and expect.  Wait for them to ask for it.

·       Spend a minimum of 10 minutes with each person so as not to monopolize their time.  After all you are both there to meet people.  To excuse yourself, find someone that would be good for them to meet and introduce them.  Or simply say, ‘It has been a pleasure chatting with you, and ask it you can follow up with them (if that is what you want to do).

·       Follow up and keeping in touch is key.  This makes you memorable.  The best way is to send a hand written note(if you got their snail mail).  If not, send an email or even better, a phone call to arrange a one on one meeting for coffee or lunch.

·       If you receive a referral or lead from someone, be sure to send a Thank You note, even if the referral or lead doesn’t work out.  Letting the person know you appreciate their help will keep you top of mind when something else comes up.

·       Ask permission to add them to email newslettersand distribution lists.  When you follow up with them is a good time to ask if you didn’t ask when you initially met them.

In closing -

Understanding and applying good networking etiquette will empower you to build and nurture your own network.  These lasting, mutually beneficial business relationships begin with projecting an outstanding impression, but are sustained through trust and the investment of time and effort to help others.

Practicing good etiquette will not only get what you want, it will also help position you in a different way in the eyes of those who are at the "giving" end!

After all – Good Etiquette is the lubricate that makes things move smoothly.”

Get out there and Network!

In gratitude,

Annette

 www.PaintedLadyEnterprises.com

"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Resources –

·       http://www.videojug.com/interview/networking-etiquette-2

·       http://www.sideroad.com/Business_Etiquette/networking-etiquette.html

·       http://goinswriter.com/networking-etiquette/

·       http://www.advancedetiquette.com

·       http://www.culpwrit.com/2009/11/23/10-tips-for-networking-etiquette/

·       http://progressions.prssa.org/index.php/2011/02/22/do-you-have-finesse-to-ensure-success/

·       http://www.glassdoor.com/blog/keys-networking-etiquette-career/

·       http://workbloom.com/networking/networking-etiquette-for-success.aspx

Grammar Rules Ain't Relevant in Copy.....

...And 7 Other Rules We Must Ignore To Boost Our Business

"by Liz Goodgold, Branding Expert, Author, and Speaker. Sign up for her FREE Brand Finale  newsletter with valuable information at www.redfirebranding.com."

Oh, I can hear the fingers typing already from the linguists on my list. BUT, I am here to tell you that when it comes to creating headwhip headlines, gut wrenching copy, and screaming good subject lines, the old rules don't apply. You must throw away the old-school English rules and embrace new writing that grabs eyeballs and sales.

My Top 7 Copywriting Rules That Work:

1. ALWAYS use numbers vs. letters - Here are 2 reasons: 1) our eyes see numbers faster and 2) it breaks up the copy making for faster reading

2. Use Every Single Piece Of Punctuation - Really! Use exclamation marks, commas, colons, quotes, caps question marks, and dashes; fun, huh?

3. Vary Your Copy Length - Use a combination of short sentences and long sentences. Again, it overcomes monotonous writing syndrome.

4. Specifics Are Terrific - Don't tell me that there are a bunch of new copywriting rules, give me 7 of them!

5. Alliterations Allow For Amazing Answers To Annoying Copy Questions - Wondering how one can woo your workers? Try alliterations! Alliterations are simply words that start with the same sound (ex: Constant Contact, Weight Watchers). They easily and quickly boost recall.

6. Speak Like Your Peeps - Using big words or buzzword bingo doesn't work. You want to create understanding. As Mark Twain once wrote: "I would never write metropolis for 7 cents when I can write city and get paid the same."

7. Faster is Better - Who ever thought we'd be communicating in 140 characters?  But, we do. Become the quicker writer.



I had the opportunity several years ago to hear Liz speak.  She is dynamic and knows her stuff.  Sign up to get her newsletter at www.redfirebranding.com

 In appreciation,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

Greeting Card Etiquette

One of my very favorite quotes from Maya Angelou is:

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."        

I think sending a real paper card is one of the nicest little tokens of appreciation we can give someone these days. I know when I open my mailbox, I'm excited when I find something personal, like a card.   I smile and I usually keep that card to remind me of that person especially if it was a genuine heartfelt personal card.

I find that society has become more and more dependent on computers and that the art of sending a real paper card is fading away.  However, there is a wonderful company that has found a way to use technology to send real paper greeting cards.

This is the time of year when there are a lot of occasions and events that we may find ourselves sending or receiving greeting cards, such as graduations, showers, weddings, etc.    

Like all forms of social communication, greeting cards come with their own set of established etiquette rules. Close friends and family members love to receive greeting cards from you regardless of whether or not you follow etiquette guidelines perfectly, but business colleagues and other influential contacts you'd like to impress will certainly have a more discerning eye. And typically more formal invitations, such as wedding invitations are more scrutinized and I have listed some basic guidelines at the end of this post.

Here are some general guidelines for sending greeting cards:

·       Put some forethought into your card selection Your card should match the style and intent of the communication.  This will ensure the greeting card indicates your warm wishes were given some forethought.

·        

·       Let your envelope set the stage.  Since the envelope is the first thing recipient sees, you want to ensure that it is addressed properly and the information is correct.  If you are addressing formal cards for weddings, etc.,      this is one place that Ladies are not always first, unless they outrank the man of the house.  (Refer to handout).

·        

·       Plan ahead.   Allow plenty of time for your greeting to arrive.  For a casual invitation, it needs to arrive at least ten day to two weeks in advance.  For more formal/wedding invitations, 4 to 8 weeks is the guideline.

·        

·       Add extra special touches. Although formal greetings for colleagues and clients should be more friendly than heartfelt, personal greeting cards for close friends and family members deserve an extra special touch. Writing and creating custom cards with a personal message, or including a gift makes your greeting card more memorable.

And if you are Sending greeting cards, then you are probably also sending Thank you cards.  I think one of best things we can teach our children is the importance of writing thank you cards and the proper way to Write thank you cards.   

Tips for Thank You Notes:

·       Be timely – Write and mail your thank you notes immediately or as soon after the event or receipt of the gift as possible.   Sending notes weeks and months after the occasion or event loses sincerity.

o     If you are late in sending your greeting card, try to make up for it by putting extra thought into your personal note.    

·       Mean it when you say thank you!  People get it when you genuinely mean something and also when you are just going through the motions.

·        

·       Keep it Short - Only one or two sentences at the most. Anymore than that and you are running the risk that it will not be read at all.

·       Be specific about what you are thanking people for.  Sometimes it means even more when people know what they are being thanked for e.g. ‘Thanks so much John for the book on resume writing.  I will certainly put it to good use.’  Or 'Thank you so much for the coffee pot with the timer.  You know how we LOVE our coffee.'  It makes the whole exchange richer and more meaningful than just a casual generic “thanks."

·        

·       Smile - Smile while you are writing the note because it will put a positive slant on your words and your happiness and enthusiasm will be conveyed to the reader.

·       Post It - Always use the traditional mailing method for your thank you notes. There is more of a chance that they will remember your note if it is delivered in an envelope, more so than they would if it is just another email on a long list of emails that may not be received or read.

The most beautiful thing about truly thanking someone is that it creates a deeper and instant bond between people.

In 1922 Emily Post wrote, "In writing notes or letters, as in all other forms of social observance, the highest achievement is in giving the appearance of simplicity and naturalness."

My interpretation of that statement is, it is better to write a simple note and mail it in a timely manner, rather than get hung up on what is proper etiquette or not.

Quoting Lydia Ramsey, business etiquette expert  – It’s not about the Rules, it’s about the relationships.

Such a small gesture of appreciation and gratitude should be a habit in everyone's personal and business life.  

Rules for addressing Envelopes for Business,

Formal Communication and Invitations:

·         Always write titles on the envelope. The card or invitation goes to "Mr. John Smith," not "John Smith." It is addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith," instead of "John and Mary Smith."

·         When addressing a couple, use titles, rather than professional initials.  It’s “Dr. and Mrs. John Smith,” not John Smith, M.D. and Mrs. Smith.”

·         If both the husband and the wife are doctors, you write, "The Doctors Smith." However, if they use different last names, address the envelope to "Dr. John Smith and Dr. Mary Brown." The husband's name is placed first.

·         If the wife is a doctor and the husband is not, send the invitation to "Mr. John Smith and Dr. Mary Smith."

·         Try to get it all on one line. When the husband has an unusually long name, the wife's title and name are indented and written on the second line:

The Honorable Jonathon Richardson Staniskowsky and
    Mrs. Staniskowsky

·         When a couple is not married and share a mutual address, their names are written on separate lines alphabetically and not connected by the word "and."

Ms. Mary Brown
Mr. John Smith

·         When sending to a married woman who uses her maiden name at work, address the cards to “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith.” If she prefers to use her maiden name for all occasions, work and social, address the card to “Mr. John Smith and Ms. Susan Jones.”

·         When the woman outranks her husband, her name is written first. It's "Major Mary Smith and Lieutenant John Smith."

 Note: The man's name is always written first unless the wife outranks him or if the couple is unmarried and her last name precedes his alphabetically. So much for "Ladies first."

The above information from http://mannersthatsell.com/index.html

Happy Card Sending,
Annette
Painted Lady Enterprises
"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"