Networking Q&A: What is More Important? Selling Your Business or Selling Yourself?

Question: What is more important? Selling your business or selling yourself?

Answer: This is a great question! You may meet someone through networking who has a direct and immediate need for your goods or services. If they are ready to purchase right away, then by all means, close the sale.

In general, the professionals you meet when you are networking will not be ready to sign on the dotted line right away. In these situations, remember we all do business with those we know, like, and trust. Don’t focus on selling your business. If you approach new professionals you meet and try to sell them right away, this can put them off.

Instead, focus on yourself–but not selling yourself. Focus on “being” yourself. As you build a solid relationship with them over time, they will remember you. Always have the attitude of “How can I help this person? Who can I connect them to?” with the professionals in your network. You can become their “go to” person when they are ready to purchase themselves or when they have a need to refer you to others.

Terilee Harrison helps entrepreneurs and small business owners get more referrals, clients and leads through proven offline and online marketing strategies. Book your referral strategy session here.