As an entrepreneur, the success of your business venture relies in a big way on how much you invest into it – not just financially, but in many other ways as well. As a new entrepreneur, building a business from the ground up takes huge amounts of time, dedication & energy – and the support of other professionals. Networking is the best way to start building the relationships that will help publicize your product or service, find possible investors and find new business opportunities.
The only trouble is, not everyone is comfortable with networking. Perhaps some have tried it without much success; while perhaps for others, they simply don’t know where or how to start. To that end, here are 20 tips for successful business networking.
Take every opportunity
Never pass up on talking to someone because you don’t think they can offer you anything you’re looking for. A golden rule of networking is that you never know who you’re talking to, or where it could lead; so make sure you take each opportunity you’re offered.
How can you help?
Never go into a networking event wondering how others can help you. Networking is about mutual benefit, and it’s much better to go into it from the perspective of how you can help others, which is a much more effective foundation for building a connection.
Go solo
While it can be a little scary to attend events alone, it has the advantage of forcing you to engage with the other attendees, which is the whole point of networking – and which is what everyone else is there for as well, anyway.
Always carry a card
Make sure to always carry your business card with you, so you never miss an opportunity.
Find your community
A good way to meet people is to join classes that engage you in your interests and hobbies. You can find a lot of like-minded people and build connections more easily.
Branch out
Don’t only look to connect with those who are in the same industry as you. Very often, professionals from other industries can open up completely new opportunities for you.
Have a goal
Set a goal for yourself of how many networking events you want to attend in a month, and then stick to it – even if you want to back out. This will help you become more comfortable with it over time, and make it easier for you to build connections.
Know your objectives and audience
If you have a business plan, why not have a networking plan? Outlining what your goals are and who your audience is helps streamline your networking and makes it more effective.
Connect with your customers
Having a personal touch in your interactions with your customers is important. Find out what is important to them, whether through personal interaction, social media, online forms or any other way.
Ask to be introduced
You never know who the people you know may know. If you’re looking to build more connections, ask the people you know to introduce you to whomever they know, who could be a mutually beneficial connection.
Always be kind
You never know where or when you could meet your next prospective customer, so make an effort to be kind & warm in every interaction.
Industry Happy Hours
Industry happy hours events are a great place to meet other professionals in your industry. Even if you don’t like to drink, you can get yourself a soda and start networking.
Listen
Despite what you may think, it’s not always necessary to talk a lot at networking events. Being a good listener can prove to be much more effective, and it gives you time to consider what you want to share so that you can focus on what’s most important.
Go off the topic
Not all connections need to be built on business talk. Talking about similar interests, hobbies or shared experiences can help you build better and closer connections.
Make the move
Experience is the best teacher. Encourage yourself to make the first move and start the conversation. You will naturally become better at it as you go along, and you will receive valuable tips along the way from other experienced professionals.
Expect delayed gratification
Not every connection brings immediate referrals. Sometimes it takes time, but the network leads you will get are still extremely valuable.
Be relaxed
The saying “People do business with people” could not be more true. People want to do business with you when they like you and feel they can trust you, so don’t be overly formal. Having a more relaxed & friendly attitude can help them relax with you more easily too and lead to a better connection.
Practice makes perfect
The more often you engage with others at business networking events, the more familiar you will become with it, and the more effective you will be.
Relationships > business
Remember that when it comes to networking, it’s better to focus on the relationship you are trying to build, not just the desired outcome. Adding value to a connection is what often motivates them to want to help you.
Follow up
Keeping in touch with connections you’ve made is vital. If you want to build a relationship, always make you follow up with them within 72 hours of meeting them. Sending a short text or email to say hi and schedule another meeting shows them that you are serious about and interested in them.
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