Networking for business is great for all kinds of reasons. First, the more people you meet the more potential prospects you can do business with. Second, the more time you spend out of the office or store, the more opportunity people will think about you and your business - in other words, out of sight out of mind. And, for women entrepreneurs especially, networking is what most of you do naturally even if you aren't aware of it.

The key to successfully turning your contacts into cash, however, means you need to do more than just show up at networking events.

First, YOU MUST make sure your contacts know WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THEM – what is your value! Women entrepreneurs tend to be shy about singing their own praises, but get over it. If you don't tell people how great you are at what you do, who will?

It isn’t enough to hand your business card out and expect people to understand what you can do for them – you must say it over and over again.

For example – I can make sure that you get the best price for your house if and when you decide to sell it. I have customers waiting for a house just like yours.

When you speak about your value – and clearly what you can do for others – then and only then can you turn those contacts into cash.

Women are natural networkers.  If you need help locating a good butcher, a good hair stylist, good schools or a doctor that really listens. Who do you ask? A woman of course. So why is it we are so good at this type of networking, but don’t make the same effort when it comes to our businesses?

I believe it is because women are born nurturers – we want to give – we want to help – we know how to be an honest resource for all things personal. So, isn;t this all the evidence YOU need to know why YOU can do this with your business also?

I want you to begin by visualizing your spheres of influence:

Here’s how you start – put yourself in the middle of a circle and think about arrows to groups and organizations filled with people who are your contacts. For example – you are connected to your family and all those who are connected to the members of your family. You are connected to your school/college and all those associated. You are connected to your customers and all those connected to them – you are connected to your vendors and all those connected to them.

I want you to realize that every contact you have is a referral to other contacts – and the way to make these contacts is simply to ask. This is what I call planting seeds – you want to continually plant seeds if you want to grow your contacts into clients and into cash. Of course, seeds only grow when they are watered and that means you must pay attention to your contacts.

Besides your sphere of influence you have the opportunity each day to broaden your contact list with strangers.

This is important – because strangers are the contacts you don’t have yet. Strangers are everywhere and most of them are not scary, but potential prospects for your business. This also means potential cash.

My Dad taught me to talk to strangers when I was a little girl. What do I mean by this? My Dad always started up conversations with other people no matter where we were. Stranding in line at a movie theater or sitting in a restaurant – Dad would lean over and introduce himself to the people in line or at the next table. At first, they might think it was odd, but before long we would all be chatting and getting to know each other. My Dad was a real estate developer. He knew what was happening with every piece of property in New England back then. He learned because he talked with people and kept current on what was going on.

I learned from him that you just don’t know what people need by looking at them. The lesson is stop making judgments as to who might be your customer. Allow yourself to talk with everyone and tell everyone how you can help them. Yes, help them. Selling your product and or service to some one is helping them fill a need. That’s what business is all about – filling a need in the marketplace. You will turn your contacts into cash as long as you fill a need.

So, here are the top 3 things You must do to do more business and turn your contacts into cash:

(1) Make sure your contacts know NOT just what you do, but what you can do for them. What value you bring them.

(2) Become an expert in your field or industry – be the go to person or resource in that arena.

(3) You must remember that you must give to get. And in order to give you must become excellent at listening. Only through listening well will you learn how to turn a contact into cash. People will tell you what they need and when they do you will be ready to take action.

The bottom line is women entrepreneurs and women in business must change their attitude about networking – because unless you play the game of networking you can’t win the game – it’s not about how many contacts you have it’s the quality of the relationship you build.

Call me or email me and let's get you making more money from your contacts!