Why Network?
Networking - How it Can Help Your Business
Although many people hate the idea of introducing themselves to a complete stranger, business networking remains a popular and effective form of marketing for any business.
Those who are not networking are missing tapping into a whole new world of contacts and business. It can make you more successful, profitable and help you understand your customers and the marketplace while testing your business message and how effective it is. Many networking groups meet monthly or even weekly with a view to their members building relationships and offering support. Members often build their own relationships outside the meetings. Soon trust develops and are increasingly confident about exchanging business contacts and referrals.
Business networking can take place in a number of different ways, including online communities and in local venues. A great place to start is the local Chamber of Commerce in your area. Edinburgh Chamber.
To find your local business groups click here.
First identify what group works for you - each group offers something different. Once you know which groups work try not to attend every group's networking events all the time. Be selective and ensure that you get the most return from the time you invest.
5 Tips for Successful Networking
1. Ensure you have a plentiful supply of business cards to exchange. It‘s best to exchange cards at the end of the conversation. Always ask if you can give them your card. Make some notes on the back of the card about important areas you discussed. That shows your level of interest and allows you to pick up on those areas again.
2. Try not to focus on your business or appear pushy
Listen as carefully as you can in order to find a point of connection with the new person. Make the exchange as smooth and natural as possible but do ensure you ask the right questions. As you listen, follow up with more in-depth questions in order to gain a real understanding of what the person wants and needs.
2. Try not to focus on your business or appear pushy
Listen as carefully as you can in order to find a point of connection with the new person. Make the exchange as smooth and natural as possible but do ensure you ask the right questions. As you listen, follow up with more in-depth questions in order to gain a real understanding of what the person wants and needs.
3. Attend the group as regularly as you can
Keep expanding your network of groups as time allows. Regularly introduce others. Offer help first to others and others will in turn help you.
Keep expanding your network of groups as time allows. Regularly introduce others. Offer help first to others and others will in turn help you.
4.Respond to questions/requests as promptly as possible.
Say you are looking into it! even f you have no answer yet always say you’ll get back to them and DO get back to them.
5. After the event always follow up.
Don‘t leave more than a couple of days to send a short thank you email. Thereafter, try to stay in touch, maintaining your presence without making a nuisance of yourself. That way, when the service you offer is required, your network prospects are likely to remember you and seek you out!
Say you are looking into it! even f you have no answer yet always say you’ll get back to them and DO get back to them.
5. After the event always follow up.
Don‘t leave more than a couple of days to send a short thank you email. Thereafter, try to stay in touch, maintaining your presence without making a nuisance of yourself. That way, when the service you offer is required, your network prospects are likely to remember you and seek you out!
6. Personalisation
You could further enhance your presence by personalising mailings detailing the goods and services you offer. Personalisation will strengthen the bond you’ve established with potential prospects. As well as offering information about your goods or services you could go further and provide free suggestions or information to address a problem or meet a particular need in your business community. Your business might then spring to mind when prospects encounter a related problem at some later date. You could also expand your network by requesting referrals from current contacts.
Online networking
As well as face-to-face networking, companies are increasingly harnessing the power of the internet to expand their networking horizons. Hundreds, if not thousand of new websites are being created each day and more and more companies are creating a commercial blog. One of the most attractive things about internet networking is the relatively low cost.
At most face-to-face networking events there are approx. one or two hundred people. Of those, only a few dozen are - realistically - likely to exchange contacts with your business. However, if you post your business on a social networking site like MySpace or FaceBook you'll instantly reach millions of people!
The downside of online networking lies in the sheer anonymity of it. Without personal contact and the opportunity to assess body language etc. its much harder for potential prospects to really grasp your personality strengths and establish the kind of bond of trust face-to-face networking facilitates. That said - if you’re not really comfortable meeting new people, online networking may be the perfect tool for you!
Weigh the pros and cons of both methods and identify people in your organisation who might excel in both environments. By exploring and exploiting all options you’ll maximise your company’s business networking opportunities.
Have Your Say
Do YOU have any sure-fire tips for successful networking you'd like to share? Post your comments below.
Post new comment