If you’re in sales, then you need to be networking anywhere and everywhere, but there are definitely hotspots out there to focus your effort. Anytime you roll through one of these six places, make sure to wear your game face and make moves.

Video Transcription

Guys today we’re talking about networking and probably from day one in your sales career it’s been ingrained in your mind that you need to be networking 24/7 but a question I get from sales reps all the time is, Luke where do I go to network? And the short answer to that is you should be networking everywhere. I’m going to share with you. I probably shared it before but I got advice from a mentor of mine years ago that said, Luke everyone you come into contact with in your day to day, they’re a potential client for you, the only reason they’re not is because you haven’t asked them to be and so I challenge you look at your day to day. Look at the situations. You come across and say to yourself how do I connect with this person how do I build a relationship with this person? Because that’s what’s going to turn them into a client long term.

And today I want to give you guys 6 practical areas where I believe you can network.

Number one.

The first area is your gym now I know the gym can be awkward to introduce yourself to people and I’m not saying run up to everybody in yoga class and introduce yourself but with the gym comes consistency or at least I hope you’re going to the gym multiple times a week and you get to start seeing the same people so start with the people that work there. You’re going to see them probably the most consistent and at the end of the day they’re there to help you and so it’s an easy transition to start a conversation with them. Then at your gym get involved with a class, maybe a weightlifting class a dance class because in that class you get to build some camaraderie you get to start introducing yourself to people and naturally what comes up is hey, what do you do? and it’s a perfect opportunity to start networking.

Number two.

Now the second area that I believe you can network is your church, your local place of worship. Now I’m not saying you’re going to church to build clients, but ask yourself this question—Does everybody in your congregation know what you do? And if they don’t, seek those people out build a relationship with those people. Find out what they do, who they are, how many kids they have, and then in turn share with them who you are and what you do. It’s a perfect way to network and a true relationship like that is going to turn into long-term business for you.

Number three.

Now the third area, I believe you can network is this website called meetup.com it’s awesome. You can get on there there’s meetups everything from rock climbing to studying literature but get on meetup.com look at your local community and see if there’s a meet-up on something that you’re passionate about and I challenge you if you get on there and there’s not something that you’re passionate about I challenge you to start a meet-up yourself because I guarantee you there’s people in your community today that have the same passion and interest as you and they probably would love to get together.

Number four.

Now the fourth area that you can network is volunteering. I believe every business should be volunteering. We should all be giving back to our local community and in volunteering you really can accomplish two things, one is you can give back to your community, spread your brand, showcase that you’re not just about making money you want to give back. But also the second is the people who run these volunteering organizations guess what, they’re considered to be the movers and shakers in your community and they know the heavy hitters they know the influencers in the community because they get donations and it’s such a beautiful marriage because you get to give back to your community and in that gift of giving you also get a receive because you get to network and build relationships with those people and even if that mover and shaker doesn’t become a client of yours, guess what? They can give you a referral.

Number five.

Now the fifth place that you can network is classes. Now I’m not saying go back and take college all over again. It might be good to take another class to brush up on your skills. It’s a great place to network, but I’m referring to classes like painting class, music lessons, there’s a you know wilderness survival class where I’m at. Get involved with something that you want to learn that you’re passionate about because you get to build that camaraderie over stuff that you’re passionate about and that’s going to turn into a true relationship.

Number six.

Now the sixth and final place that I believe you can network, technology has changed the name of the game. You no longer have to network face to face with people you can use the web you can get on social media, join a group, LinkedIn is so good at this. Join a group. If you’re a real estate agent on Facebook there’s a great group called Lab Coat Agents.com. You can get on, join that lab coat agent group and share ideas share referrals get involved with groups that you have interest in, because it’s not only a way to reach a network with people in your local community, you can extend it and go across the nation across the globe.

The takeaway.

So there you have it guys there are six practical areas where you can network, but I’m going to leave you with this, that the key to networking is you have to be authentic. There’s nothing wrong with getting involved in every situation hoping to build a relationship and hoping that turns into a client but you need to seek to be real and actually get to know these people for who they really are because a true relationship is going to turn into long-term business and long-term sustainability.

If you like these tips make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel. Be sure to check us out on Instagram and Facebook. Take action on this today.