Conquer Your Fears Of Networking

Conquer Your Fears Of Networking ©

One of the main barriers to successful networking is the FEAR of networking. When we are successful professionals, it’s hard to admit that we are actually afraid of reaching out to network.

In order to conquer our fears, we need to first identify and recognize them. Some of the most common fears, and their solutions, are listed below.

1. FEAR OF ATTENDING LARGE EVENTS.

Believe it or not, many people at these events are just as nervous and uncertain as you. Behind that perfect suit and sparkling smile lurks a ton of insecurity. We are all part of the human experience.

To help you go beyond survival and actually enjoy the event, do the following:

A. Have a purpose for attending the event. Are you attending for pleasure, business, or to fulfill an obligation? When you are clear about your purpose for being there, you can create a plan to accomplish your purpose.

B. Take a friend with you. There is comfort in numbers! You will also have someone to talk to and their added energy will boost your confidence.

C. Look for people you know. It will be easy to spend a little time networking with them. Then, look for people you DON’T know. Look for people who appear to be alone and approach them. Concentrate on learning about them and what they do.

D. Decide how long you will stay before you arrive at the event so you can slip out when you wish.

2. FEAR OF INTRODUCING YOURSELF IN PUBLIC.

A. Create a powerful self introduction that you can give in 15 seconds or less. Engage the assistance of a friend or a professional coach to make the most of every word.

B. Write out your self introduction.

C. Practice, practice and practice some more. Say it to the mirror and audio tape it. Get feedback from friends.

3. FEAR OF PROMOTING YOURSELF.

A. Ask a few professional friends to serve as a focus group. Create an attractive promotion of yourself or your business and rehearse with each other. Keep this to 30 seconds.

4. FEAR OF MAKING COLD CALLS.

Most of us would rather have a root canal than pick up that phone and work on our contact list. Remember, this is networking, not marketing. You want to establish contact and develop a relationship.

A. Schedule the time of day for phone calls and stick to the schedule.

B. Work from a list of people you want to meet. You may want to invite some of them to meet you for coffee. Ask others to tell you what they do. Give tips and referrals. Keep conversations short and to the point.

5. FEAR OF MAKING REQUESTS.

If you don’t ask, you won’t receive! Making requests is easy once you have established good relationships with people. That’s why being visible at networking events is so important. For example, if you are a printer, ask your friend if you can print the business cards and letterheads for his/her new business.

Requests made in a respectful manner will be acknowledged. Let people know you are willing to help them.

The next time you are tempted to run from your networking fears, turn and face them! Conquer them with these solutions!

My purpose is to create and offer tools that accelerate

professional and personal growth and success

I like to know about the people I work with. I believe that everything is about relationships, beginning with your

relationship with yourself. I believe there is a spark of genius and great potential within each person. It is this genius

that holds the vision and defines where you want to be.

After working in the worlds of education and business, I created an innovative, one-of-a-kind networking business,

Resources For Women, Inc. in 1984 and sold it years later. The purpose was to provide opportunities to exchange

business, increase skills development and serve as a support system and safety net. I enjoy writing and found many

opportunities to write through our monthly tabloid newspaper, The Network Connection. I also wrote my first book on

networking, “EMPOWER . . . Through Networking!” I produced unique systems that empower people.

My clients included the Quebec Business Women’s Association; Arizona-Sonora Professional Women’s Conference;

Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy; the University of Phoenix and the National Association of Women Business Owners

(NAWBO) in addition to numerous businesses, individuals and organizations.

After selling Resources For Women, Inc., I created Tools For Achievers, a business dedicated to coaching, facilitating

and writing. I enjoy the magic of seeing my tools contribute to positive, lasting results in the lives of my clients as they

create and deepen their relationships.

On a personal level, I married my high school sweetheart, and raised two daughters who are married with families of

their own. Most of our family, including four adult grandchildren and four delightful great grandchildren, live in

Tucson, Arizona where we enjoy the desert, mountains, beautiful winters and long, hot summers. Family trips to

Mexico, Hawaii and other delightful places have created many happy memories.

I enjoy good health, many interests, a life-long pursuit of learning and creating and nurturing meaningful relationships.

Donna M. Reed, Owner

Tools For Achievers

Providing tools that accelerate professional and personal growth and success.

5740 E. Paseo del Cenador

Tucson, AZ 85750

(520)299-8199

www.ToolsForAchievers.com Reed@toolsforachievers.com