One of the most common issues that small business owners face is how to grow and expand their business. Finding new customers can be much easier said than done. Many businesses tend to hit a plateau at some point and once they do it can be a real struggle to move past it. This is why networking is such an essential for businesses in all industries.
Networking is nothing new. It’s not a hidden secret, yet far too often it’s something business don’t give enough attention and credit to. When used correctly, networking can help your business to grow and even transform and truly be that shining star of success you had always dreamed of.
So let’s take a look at all things networking, including what it is, why it’s important, and how to master it.
What is Networking?
Networking in the business world can be described as creating a mutually beneficial relationship with customers, clients, and others in the industry. The main goal of networking is to spread the word about your company, its products/services, and hopefully turn that networking relationship into a customer at some point.
Why is Networking Important to a Business?
When you start looking at the many ways that networking can benefit your company, it becomes clear that it’s actually one of your most powerful tools in growing your business. With that said, there are some benefits that are greater than others.
One of the main areas where networking can help a company, especially if it’s a new business, is helping with visibility. In order to gain new clients and customers, you need to be visible, which requires you to meet and communicate with them on a very regular basis. It’s also a great way to meet new contacts and get referrals from existing contacts.
Networking can also help you to stay current in the industry by catching up with various contacts. You’ll be sharing news, ideas, tips, advice and information that can help your business to succeed in the long-run. It’s a great way to stay on top of trends and show how involved you are in the industry. Networking can even help to shape you into an industry expert yourself, and really make a name for your products and services. This will in turn build company morale and confidence in your products.
At the end of the day, networking is all about building your contacts so that you can then build your customer portfolio and increase your profits.
What at the Best Networking Tips, Tricks, and Techniques?
Today is actually a really interesting time for networking in general. It’s a time where traditional networking practices can be blended with technology and digital tools to broaden your reach and strengthen the results. Combining the old with the new is often the best way to get results.
So, what are the traditional forms of networking that should still be employed today? The top technique is still face-to-face networking. While there is plenty to be gained from the digital networking tools such as LinkedIn, it’s important that you don’t let digital tools replace traditional techniques.
Attending industry events, seminars, and conferences allow you to have that face-to-face introduction, shake hands, and make eye contact. It also allows for the ever important exchanging of business cards. With that said, you want to be sure you show up prepared with professional personalised business cards to all events.
If you operate a small business, you can always look into cheap business cards that allow you to choose a smaller amount to be printed. Nowadays, you can create and print business cards online with ease. When you print business cards there are a few things to keep in mind. You’ll want to be sure it includes the company name and logo, your name and title, contact information, the company’s website, and any social networks the business is involved in. Investing in business card printing is well worth the cost, as you’ll quickly discover.
Many towns and cities also have networking groups that meet on a regular basis. This is a chance to exchange thoughts and ideas with other businesses in the community. This can provide you with a more localised vantage point, which can also help your business.
Besides face-to-face networking, you’ll also want to take the time to look at social media platforms that can help you to increase your network of contacts. As mentioned, LinkedIn is a popular choice, as well as Facebook and Twitter. But just keep in mind that these digital platforms aren’t meant to replace face-to-face networking; rather, they enhance your networking skills and benefits.
Get Out There and Enjoy the Benefits of Networking
When it comes to the most powerful tools in helping to grow your business, few can compare to the results that networking can offer. This is why it’s important to make networking a priority no matter the industry you are in, or the size of your company.
