Making introductions is a huge part of networking and creating connections. Once again, it’s not about you, it’s about serving others. It’s about connecting people in your networking. After all the people you know are some seriously amazing folks, everyone should know them.
Part of your job as a thank you to the people who support you and travel in your circle is showing your appreciation for them. The best way to do this is by making introductions for them to other people you meet along the way, other people in your network, and to potential clients who will also benefit from their brilliance.
Before making introductions, you need to spend time getting to know the people in your network. Know what they do, how they serve their clients and community, what their interests are, who they want to meet, and how they want to be introduced. Ask for their permission to share their information with your network should the opportunity arise. The best way to find this out is by spending one on one time with them.
Once you know these things about your connections, commit them to memory. I’m not saying you must remember every little detail, but remember the important stuff, the stuff that impressed you during your time together. Keep their contact info in your phone and add a few key notes that will help you find their info quickly when you need to.
Purpose to pay attention as you meet new people. When you come across someone who is struggling or needs help finding someone they can trust for a project make the connection. Be purposeful in making introductions. Tell them who you recommend, why you recommended them, and then follow through making the introduction.
Here are some simple ways to make introductions, help your network, and grow your reputation as a trusted go to person:
- Share contact information when you meet someone face to face. If the opportunity to share someone’s contact information presents itself and you have their permission go ahead and share it. Tell them to use your name when initiating contact. Follow up with an email introduction (see below).
- Introduce people via email. It’s very simple and only takes a few minutes. Copy both parties on the email, tell them why you are connecting them, include contact information for both, encourage them to connect from that point on, and wish them well.
- Introduce people through LinkedIn messenger. It’s very simple and only takes a few minutes. Copy both parties on the message, tell them why you are connecting them, include contact information for both, encourage them to connect from that point on, and wish them well.
- Pick up the phone and make a quick introduction. If you haven’t spoken to someone in a while and need to reconnect with them yourself, this is a great way to re-establish your relationship. It’s very simple and only takes a few minutes. Initiate a phone call, tell them who you are introducing and why. Follow it up with an email, copy both parties, reiterate why you are connecting them, include contact information for both, encourage them to connect from that point on, and wish them well.
- Make introductions in person. Invite people to a business event or networking meeting that you attend regularly. Introduce them to the people in the group and be sure to share a little bit about them and why you invited them focusing on the services they provide that will benefit the people in the room, your network.
Are you starting to see a pattern here?
- Who are you introducing?
- Why are you introducing them?
- What do you want them to do once you introduce them?
From here it’s up to you. Who are you introducing? Making introductions is key to growing your connections and supporting the relationships you have with the people in your network.
If you network a lot, like I do, and you have a lot of people you’d feel comfortable and confident introducing, that’s great! Even if you don’t network a lot but you know some amazing people you think everyone should know, you’re going to want to know this.
I have a great tool to share with you that will make a big difference during your next one on one connection meeting. I’ll share how to create it yourself and how to use it to grow your network. Tune in Thursday, July 19 for Live in 30! at 3:30pm at http://facebook.com/30secondsuccess I’ll be sharing this easy to implement tool and more about making introductions.
At 30 Second Success we support you in making better connections and building your business through networking. We help business owners, professionals, and sales teams develop their 30 second message for networking and video. If you are ready to “Ditch the Pitch and Start Connecting!” try one of our online courses or schedule a call today.