Networking OFF- Line or ON- Line?

Networking on the Net or Face-to-Face?

Networking is key to entrepreneurial success. It involves time, hard work, ambition and a lot of confidence to make it work!

There are many ways of online communication: Among the most popular ones we see a lot of discussion groups and chat room communities online. These forms of networking are more effective on a personal level. You may not do business with people that you’ve met over the Internet.

On the other hand, successful online networking is possible when you get in touch with the same people, exchange information on a regular basis and develop more confidence toward the ones you regularly chat with.

Can business relationships begin, develop and prosper via the Internet? Sure they can! The question is where can we find a proper place online to promote ourselves? Well, the answer is simple. Look for organizations and resourceful web site for fitness professionals online.

Please remember that you can’t avoid face-to-face meetings, you have to handle them. In most cases, you need to meet with the person that you met or contacted via Internet and build your relationship from there.

Successful Networking depends on several important principles that you need to remember and practice!

Basic Face-to-Face Networking:

Effective Planning. Network in places and at events where your target market goes.

Focusing When you are in a special event for networking purposes focus on building one relationship at a time. You want to build trust, get to know the person that you want to work with and suggest a further meeting before the event is over.
Standing out from the crowd At a networking event everybody is eager to talk about their products/services. Remember that you are there to meet other business owners. Instead of doing all the talking, be the listener and ask questions. Refer them business. The best and fastest way to get referrals is to give them.
Being 100% attentive. Stay focused while you are having a conversation. When you give all your attention, people will seek you out.

Taking notes. You just came out from a networking evening, you received over 20 business cards, you have spoken with so many people in less than 2 hours. What do you do with all that? People like to be remembered, they feel special and they are impressed when you remember what they told you 4 week ago at a networking event. Simply take a note about the person or the nature of the conversation you had with them.

Following up. Whenever you meet a potential customer or a possible business partner, make sure to follow-up. You can call within three days, write a letter, send marketing material by email. Emailing is good for the exchange of information or to touch base with the other person but in the early stages of a relationship, it is not recommended and is not personal.
I am certified, what’s next?

Most fitness professionals get their certifications and step out into the big world and wonder how they are going to get their name out there. Lets take 2 common examples: the instructors and the personal trainers. Instructors need a bank of hours to get good working contracts and practice their teaching skills and personal trainers need experience under their belt that helps them build their name and reputation.

Staying on TOP!

What can you do to stay on top, practice your certification and get continuous education, stay motivated and earn money at the same time?

Get ON Line!!!

- Look for resources: Start by Networking your services online. It is an easy way to show your status 24 hours per day. Become an active member of a fitness resources web site that gives you the opportunity to be listed online among other fitness professionals. Employers and decision makers browse these sites looking for professionals like you.

- Be an active member: Your certification is not enough by itself. It is what you do with it! If you network your services online, be an active member.

- Promote yourself by writing articles. You get recognition from doing it. You can put in your resume or simply build you business and get more clients by having your web site listed (if you have one) your email address or phone number at the bottom of each of your articles.

- Communicate with experts online. Ask them for advice. You learn from their experiences, their mistakes and they might refer you to fitness facilities.

- Job postings: Actively look at job postings online related to your field of expertise. We post regularly online fitness job opportunities on our web site and your job is to stay connected and to keep your eyes open.

- Stay connected: Sign up to different electronic Newsletters. Some of them are sent weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. They keep you updated with news, educational articles and all related subjects on education, conferences and workshops available in the fitness industry.

- Take the opportunity: Don’t be afraid to try something new or something different. Some employers offer outdoor training, it is challenging and it is a complete different approach to learn. Ttry it! You might love it and if not, you end up making contacts and building a stronger Network of people.

OFF Line but Active:

- Call and call: Establish an excel sheet where you list your favorit fitness clubs were you would like to work. Contact the person in charge of the department of your interest and ask questions like: when do you need more personal during the year? What are your requirements for hiring? Take notes of the results. In some cases, you can set up a second call depending and the results of your first call. Don’t give up!

- Drop by: Bring your fitness related resume. Ask to speak to the manager and inform them of your interest to join their team of professionals. Observe the gym environment and see if you would like to be part of it. In some cases, you will make better decisions when you get the chance to see the gym.

- Stay in touch with your colleagues: We often forget to keep the phone numbers of our school buddies. These contacts are precious. Many people who stay in contact with their school colleagues have benefited from it on the long run. Your colleagues can simply refer you to new fitness clubs, get your name to the manager for a possible interview if the fitness club is hiring or simply give you tips that will help you in your fitness career.

It is all about Networking!

Rana Sioufi Rodeck, BA. Communications and Advertising, Université de Montréal. Certified from YMCA Montreal since 1997 as a Group Fitness Instructor and FIS CanFitPro. Rana joined Muscle Mania Eastern Canada and competed in the Fitness Model Disvision June 2003, organized by World Natural Sports Organization (WNSO).