Networking
| Author: Vanessa Holmes | Published: 11th March 2008 21:26 |
It's not about who you know - it's about who knows YOU!
Networking is about making connections and building lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.
If you are in business - any type, size or stage - you need to meet lots of people so you can get your name known.
Successful business people across the globe will all agree that the single practice that excelled their career was networking.
Ask yourself: Who do you trust? Who do you turn to for advice? Who do you feel most comfortable dealing with?
People you know!
Then take it a step further - people who know the people who know you will also be comfortable contacts. You might have to read that back slowly, but you'll get the idea!
Personal relationships stand out way above all the impersonal advertisements and cold calling sales pitches that are part of every day business life. If you've met someone personally and have experienced eye-to-eye contact, then you'll be more likely to want to deal with them in a business sense. After all, outside business hours, would you allow anyone you hadn't met and felt you trusted to deal with your personal needs like childcare? Would you have someone spend time in your home decorating if you hadn't met them first and felt you had a rapport?
You do business with those you feel you get on with and can trust.
Networking gives you the opportunity to build relationships with a range of business contacts. They may be potential clients or customers; people who could refer work to you; someone who may help with your marketing efforts or even a person who may be able to give you a gem of advice that could propel your business to the next level.
By networking you can:
• Get involved in your local community
• Learn more about how other business people operate and market their business
• Facilitate mutually beneficial relationships
• Establish business contacts
• Create referral networks
• Develop resources you can call upon for advice and knowledge
Networking must be a continual initiative in your marketing plan. Seek out as many networking events as you can! Don't look on them solely as chances to get new clients; it may be just as beneficial to meet people who may not necessarily need your services but will refer you to others they know.
Always bear in mind the age old maxim ‘give and you will receive'. Give away a bit of advice on your area of expertise, and later on that favour will come back to you!
© 2008 Vanessa Holmes.
