Networking can be hard.
Networking can be hard, and despite what you might read on Instagram, it doesn’t just come naturally to everyone.
It is however, a vital part of growing any business and should be a priority, not least for the following reasons:
Confidence. Like most things, the more you do it the better you will become, and the more confident you’ll grow.
Keeping up with trends and best practices. Speaking to others in your industry (or even just others in the business world) means you are kept up to date on how things are done, or any changes about to happen.
Connections. The internet is a great tool that can help you find those last-minute suppliers, but it always comes with risk. Better to have met the supplier, spoken to them, and made sure they understand you and your company.
Leads. Lastly you never know where your next sale or contract will come from. Even if you don’t strike any deals at the time, maybe in 6 months or a year someone will remember meeting you.
Like most things in business (and in life for that matter) proper planning goes a long way, and there are a few things you can do to make the most of any networking event:
Choose your event wisely. While you might find your next customer in the most unlikely of places, you need to be careful about spending your money and time networking in the wrong areas. If your business is fresh meat butchered and delivered, an event with a focus on vegan products might not deliver the results you are after.
Set your goals clearly. Are you after new customers, new suppliers, complimentary business? Know before hand what you want, and don’t be afraid to answer honestly when people ask what you are after.
Bring marketing materials. This can mean business cards (still a very common item used at these events), flyers, samples, merchandise. But it can also mean have some videos of your products ready to go on your phone without the need for you to scroll through last weekend’s family activities. Remember that if the attendees at these events are collecting dozens if not hundreds of these items, they may avoid large bulky ones.
Follow Up. Follow Up with the people you meet, even if it’s just an email to thank them for taking the time to talk. It gives you another chance to give them your details (now digitally and likely stored permanently) and may spark a conversation that leads to something.
Networking can be hard, but it can also lead to amazing new connections that will help your business to grow and prosper.
If you need help growing your business, Accord Consultancy is ready to guide you on the journey to success.
