That was Year 1996.
I had just then started selling to Corporate. Until then, I was selling to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Selling to corporate called for lot more skills than selling to entrepreneurs & small businesses.
Networking skill is one of them.
We didn’t have #LinkedIn then.
I was hanging out where my clients met.
Road shows, seminars, conferences, product launches, workshops and any event where the corporate was in full attendance.
In most cases, the event would be conducted by our Principals – Microsoft, Oracle, IBM etc. We used to get a stall outside the hall to showcase our solutions.
Do you know how and when I met my clients?
During tea breaks and lunch time.
I sacrificed my lunch to go around and meet people. When they were having their lunch.
It used to pay off.
I would introduce myself. Exchange business cards. Would ask them if they are looking for some help.
I then promise to visit them soon and talk further. They’ll agree.
If there were 2000 people in attendance, I would have met at least 40 customers. That was just 2%.
But I have 40 contacts now.
I would start my outreach immediately after the event.
I provided value to my prospects before they bought anything. And I provided more value after the sale.
Coming back to networking, I networked not just with prospects and customers but also with competitors, partners and principals. Literally, anyone in the Eco-system.
I would know about the purchase of Air Conditioners by my prospect through the AC vendors, even though I was selling only Software.
All those strategies apply these days as well. On LinkedIn as well as otherwise also.
Stay tuned for more stories.
Happy Selling!!
#sales #customers #prospects #networking #skills
