The buzzword these days is relationship marketing. Just what is it? And why is it important? Relationship marketing is so much more than networking. Its gathering support of your friends, peers, and business contacts. Its developing strong, lasting, unique relationships with your most valuable asset, your customer. Its what keeps people coming back for more. Its an excellent way to shorten the traditional routes of building trust, create opportunities, increase valuable contacts, to achieve success and excel in business.

Every opportunity you have to meet new people is an opportunity to grow your business! If you are willing to invest your time, networking is a process, and the payoffs are almost immeasurable. Its not realistic to expect instant success. It takes time. You can plan your networking opportunities to shorten the time it takes to build those relationships.

What do you want and need to accomplish? Do you want to develop lifelong individual customers, land large accounts, or make an impact in your community? You will accomplish all three by getting involved in your local civic organizations, Chambers of Commerce, Business Associations, Non-Profit organizations, etc. One of the best ways to get to know people up close and personal is to volunteer to serve on a committee; give your time and talent to a cause. People want to do business with people who have similar interests and values.

Whom do you need to meet to accomplish your goals? And where do you meet them? Angel Cicerone, Associate Editor of the South Florida Business Journal says, If youre going fishing, go where the fish are. Focus your efforts by being in the right place at the right time. Its not just who you meet, but how and where you meet them. Meeting people in the right places adds credibility to that meeting. Thats not to say that striking up a conversation in the supermarket has no value. It does. Its just that if you want to develop first class contacts, you must fly first class.

If you are flying first class, those sitting in the same section will view you as a peer. Of course, theres no guarantee youll make those great contacts. However, if you dont fly first class, youll never know. It may be worth the investment. The same people flying first class can also be found at those events, fundraisers and conferences in which you participate. Go where the people you wish to network with will be!

Are you willing to invest the time it takes to achieve your goals? How much time is enough? Begin with the end in mind. The key to relationship marketings success is to know what it is you want to accomplish. To start networking, you have to set your foot in the door.

Excerpted from The PMS Principles - Powerful Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business