Investing the time and respect networking needs will reward you in the long run. Trust us! You can visit our networking diary to see all our upcoming events here. In the meantime, here are few reasons why Networking should be a firm part of your business plan:
Plan your networking
You should plan and make networking a regular part of your business. Aim to attend an event a week and really build your network and connections. Devote your time well after an event by following up with your connections and try to arrange face-to-face meetings. Spending your hard-earned cash on networking has the capability of being more effective than investing in advertising. This is because networking is more targeted and personal.
Prioritising your time
Everyone’s busy, trying to juggle work, family life, and doing things outside of work, such as hobbies. Really try to look at everything you do and decide how much time you can realistically dedicate to networking. This way, you’ll probably enjoy it a lot more, rather than feeling rushed and unfocussed. Decide who you want to meet and why and consider what you can offer your connections. You can then use this information to prioritise the events you’d like to attend, and this will make such a difference to your overall perception of networking.
Talking about your business
You should always have a plan before going into a networking event. Really think about what you do and the ethos your business promotes. Not everyone is a natural-born networker, so having pre-prepared points can ease your nerves. Talk about what makes your business stand out from the rest, the benefits you can offer, and a little bit of background. Can you offer a discount or personalised treatment? It’s worth noting that you shouldn’t talk constantly about your business – try to talk a little about yourself, maybe mention your hobbies and conversation will likely follow.
Business cards
Business cards are an affordable yet effective way to market your business and allows your connection to follow up with you. When having your business card design, you should keep it relatively simple, with information such as your name, business name, email address, and phone number. Give your business card to your connection ask for one in return.
Following up
If you’ve ever been to an Introbiz event, you’ll know how much we encourage our members and associations to follow up. Try not to leave it more than 24 hours before following up, because it’s likely that you’ll be fresh in their mind and more willing to have a conversation. Be sure to deliver on your promises and keep in in touch with your connections to build your network and trust.
