One of the first things that you should do to build business relationships is to get out and meet people. There are opportunities all around; you just have to look for them. Go to conferences, seminars, volunteer for events, even go out on the golf course.

If your company has promotional items that you can use when you go out, you can utilize those as well to promote your business. All it takes is one curious person to strike up a conversation and ask about the company to get an opportunity to start another business relationship.

Try to be inconspicuous but at the same time available as you don’t want people to feel as if you are pressuring them.

2. Elevator Pitch –

Prepare something known as an elevator speech, which is a sales pitch about thirty second long. It should include who you are and what you do, and it can be used to jumpstart a conversation with someone. There are different types of elevator speeches, from the ones that describe what they can do for a contact or what the contact can do for them.

Think about what your goals are with a new contact and that will help you to figure out what is going to be included in your speech.

3. Catch a Wide Net –

Don’t limit the options that you have. In other words virtual roundtables, don’t say that you are only looking for people who are women between the ages of 30 and 50. You never know when someone who is younger than that, or who is a man, is going to be interested in what you are selling or the services that you are offering.

After all, even if the products are for women, they have birthdays that someone might need a gift for. Think of everyone as a prospect, because you never know what is going to come of it.

4. Business Cards –

No matter where you are going, carry some of your business cards with you every day. Although there are other methods that people use to give someone their contact information, business cards are the universally known method.

From the simple business cards that have your name, number and email is something that is worthwhile. You want people to remember you long after the first initial contact. Business cards are small and easy to carry, so they are ideal for both you and your contact.

5. Notes –

Keep a pen handy so that you can write details down. Depending on where you meet your contact and what else is going on during that time, it’s likely that you are going to forget things that you want to remember about them.

This is especially important if you promised to do something for them or to get in contact with them again. Write down where you met them and any details you need to remember – time to call, information that you need to get them, etc. Let them know that you are writing it down because you want to remember and they will feel honored by the fact that you want to remember them.

No matter where you meet the person – on the golf course, at a conference, or somewhere else, make sure that they know that they are important to you. Give them a business card, write down the information you want to remember, and keep your options open when it comes to your contacts. These are some of the secrets to building profitable business relationships.