Making Networking Beneficial – Business Networking Made Simple

Networking can be thought of as an old-fashioned business process, but it really is not. Any networking that you undertake can still help you generate new leads, win new business and grow your business, and so the importance of networking and its role within your business should not be underestimated.

Making Networking Work

Within business networking, it is essential to meet other business owners, and service providers as this can allow you to expand your horizons. Networking will open the doors to new possibilities. If you do not take advantage of networking, you will stunt your business growth, and you will find development will surely grind to a halt. When you network, you get much more of a feel about what products and services are out there and at what cost. To be successful at networking, you must be clear and concise as you only have a few seconds to convey your relevant information, so make sure that those few seconds count. It is vitally important to plan out what you will say when and why. 

Network online 

Even though you may lack that personal contact and approach when you network online, you allow yourself to grow your contacts list and to meet new business owners in the process too. To be successful at networking online, you must know what you want to achieve, so, for example, do you want to reach new markets? Or do you want to sell your business and its USP to other attendees? With online networking, it can be initially difficult to build up a rapport with people, but if you stick with it, it is possible.

Organize a Physical Event

If current networking events are lacking something, then you should look at holding your events in local establishments or venues to fill the gaps. When you hold your own events, you can tailor them to your needs and requirements. For example, if you want to provide drinks to help enhance the atmosphere, then you could hire a bartending service in Denver, or if you wanted to put on a keynote speaker on stage to capture audiences, you could hire one for a segment. No matter how big or small your event is, it will provide you with the opportunity to network on your own terms. 

Top Tips for Successful Creative Business Networking

• Know Your Worth and Sell Your Worth – There may be competitors at the same networking events that you attend, but to differentiate yourself, you have to know what your worth is and how your business can benefit other businesses.

• Create an Elevator Pitch – Whether you network online or offline, you will still only have a few seconds to impress other business owners and event attendees, so work on what you want to say and why. A 20-30 second pitch that is loaded with information will work wonders.

• Don’t Forget the Other Attendees – When attending and organizing events, it can be difficult to get out of the “look at me, listen to me” mentality, but it is important for your personal growth and your business growth that you mix and mingle with the other event attendees. Their businesses and their offerings may be just what you are looking for, and if you do not ask, you will never know how they can help or assist you.