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Ten questions to
break the networking ice!
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Jim Young
10 Questions to Break the Networking Ice
Debbie Buxton, Virtual Assistant
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Many us depend on networking to market our businesses.
However, most of us don't want to be considered a pushy
salesman when we are in social situations. The best way
to break the "networking ice" is to ask questions of those
we meet. People like to talk about themselves and their
business. It also gets the dialogue going.
The following ten questions can help you get to know the
other person and, hopefully, begin a relationship with
lots of referrals.
1. How did you get started in your business/profession?
Listen when they tell their story. They have to know that
you are truly interested.
2. What do you like most about your job?
3. What is unique about your business?
4. What advice would you give to someone starting a business
like yours?
5. What business project would you try if you knew you
couldn't fail?
6. Has your profession had any significant changes since you
began?
7. What do you see as the newest trends in your business?
8. What was the funniest or strangest thing that happened to
you in your business?
9. What are your most effective ways of marketing your
business?
10. How would you like people to describe how you do
business?
Remember you aren't a drill sergeant you don't have to ask
all the questions at once. You want the person to want to get
to know and like you. Most business persons are very willing
to help those they know and feel they can trust.
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Debbie Buxton is a virtual assistant who works with small
and homebased business owners to help them make time to
grow their business or to have a life. She provides word
processing, desktop publishing, Internet research,
website maintenance, and a whole lot more - virtually!
Phone (360)830-0992, Fax (360) 830-5048, or e-mail
dbuxton@infoword.com for more information.
Copyright 1998 by Debbie Buxton of InfoWord Services. This
page may be freely transmitted and reproduced for
noncommercial purposes, but only with these copyright and
credit lines included.
