Are you looking for networking strategies to grow your business? I know the feeling – I’ve been there. And what’s really frustrating is when you want to start networking, but you don’t know where to begin, or you find random articles on the Internet that don’t give you any actionable advice.
What is networking?
Networking is the process of developing mutually beneficial relationships with people who have the ability to help your business grow and develop by word-of-mouth referrals. This article will share some of the most effective networking strategies to help you grow your business. Networking is one of the most effective ways to grow your business. When done right, it will help you meet new people and develop mutually beneficial relationships that can help you build your brand, find new customers and clients, find employees and more. But if you don’t know where to start or what to do once you get there, networking can seem like an intimidating process.
The good news is that networking is not as difficult as it seems. Here are some tips to help you network successfully: Find events in your area, or networking groups like this one!
Get ready to go by writing down a few talking points and questions you want to ask people when you meet them. You don’t need to memorize them, but they will help keep you from feeling awkward or unprepared if things go quiet. Remember to avoid asking simple yes or no questions because it can become quiet again very fast. Be memorable, remember that successful networking isn’t all about you; show a genuine interest in a conversation with those you are networking with, ask them why they love what they do, or how they became interested in their business, trust me, you will be remembered. If they remember you then they are likely to refer you or even engage in your services down the road.
The human brain is pretty good with remembering names and faces. It will most likely remember a potential business connection’s name. Unfortunately, our memories are not as good with phone numbers, email addresses, and websites. That’s why it’s so important to get this information whenever meeting a potential business connection for the first time, so remember to offer a business card and ask for one when you meet someone new. Take important notes on the card while you’re there speaking with them and most importantly remember to send a follow up email as a thank you for taking the time to speak with you.
The secret to successful networking is a combination of meeting new people and having meaningful conversations that can lead to mutually beneficial relationships. When it comes to growing your business, you should never ignore the power of good old-fashioned networking. Sure, social media can bring you a bunch of new clients, but nothing beats real life connections and relationships for creating loyal customers who will return to your company over and over again.
