NETWORKING - 4 WAYS TO GAIN INSTANT CREDIBILITY

Networking is all about building relationships. Building rapport and building credibility, so people can get to know you and see that you are a person that they want to do business with (or just get to know better!).
But there are several ways to gain instant credibility with people, giving you the opportunity to separate yourself from the herd.

When first meeting people, we put them through a mental obstacle course. We wonder if this person is valid, someone that you could trust. Have you ever been to an event and you are talking with someone when a third party comes up and says, "I've used John's services and he's just great! Yadda-yadda-yadda (the details that is!). Your viewpoint takes an automatic leap. That person, by getting that "attaboy" gains greater credibility in everyone's eyes and gets to advance a few squares (so to speak) of trusting that this could be a person you could do business with.

Now, I'm not suggesting that you hire a professional plugger for yourself, where they wait until you engage in conversation with someone and then on signal come running up and start proclaiming the wonder of your services. But are you attending networking events with people that have used your services? It certainly wouldn't be out of line, to ask them to mention it or be available if you told someone that "Sue over there has used my services and would be happy to talk to you about her experience". Instant Credibility.

Another way is to be a speaker. Many organizations, especially chambers are looking for people to speak to their groups on relevant topics. Being a speaker gives you instant credibility as a knowledge expert. People that don't even attend your engagement will still give you that "expert" status when they find out you did a presentation. There are pitfalls however and public speaking has a whole bunch of them. The two top pitfalls are you need to do a decent job speaking and secondly, not do an infomercial. Infomercials, where you basically do a 30 minute sales presentation where they get 25% off if they sign up today (and there are still people doing this) are a huge turn-off for the vast majority of participants.

But presenting a good, informative speaking on topics pertinent to your listeners immediately puts you in front of numerous people allowing you to present yourself as an "expert" that wants to help them improve their life/career/business. Someone they would want to do business with. Instant credibility.

Another way is to write articles. There are a lot of publications out there, again chamber/neighborhood newsletters come to mind that would like submissions. There are also online venues, such as this one that accept articles. The articles themselves are a long term marketing solution to gain business or traffic from.
However, being able to say in a conversation, "oh, yes, I've published an article on that very subject", immediately alters your status. People who write articles are considered knowledge experts, once again giving you instant credibility. Bringing the subject up needs to be natural however. If you're running around telling people you write articles may not have much effect (or at least the effect you want). But if a topic is being discussed and you casually mention your article you can expect positive interest in knowing you better.

The last and easiest way to gain credibility when networking is to take a position within the organization. Get on the board, or a committee. If the group has them, become an ambassador greeting new people. If you're networking to meet new people isn't that a great position to be?

Board members, etc. get a certain introductory pass. Let's face it, we're impressed and maybe a little flattered that they would pay attention to us. By being a board member, people believe that you are going to be connected whether in the community or the organization and that you are a good person to get to know. Someone they should know. Instant credibility.

As an officer, you can offer to have a meeting with a new member with the stated intent of letting them know how the organization works. And they'd love that! Should you then do a hard sell for your business? Absolutely not. But if the purpose of your networking is to meet new people and build relationships, this gives you a genuine, non-threatening (read non-selling) opportunity for you to approach people, get to know them and begin a dialog that could a relationship profitable to all parties.

If this is an approach that would appeal to you, I'd recommend that you genuinely commit to the position. Don't just go in with the attitude that you're in it for the name tag and this will help you score more business when you network. The main reason is because it's just the ethical thing to do, but if you need a business reason, think of who else is on the board. Chances are they ARE connected; they ARE good people to get to know. And if you go in, commit, work to support the organization that only makes both the new member and the more senior ones more than happy to know you and support you in your business.

People go through a buying process. They first have to "buy" you; then "buy" your company and then lastly, they may buy your product. If you are someone who is recommended (first example), knowledge expert (speaking or writing) or is an organizational leader, you gain that instant credibility of being someone they should get to know better. And isn't that how you want people to view you when you network?