Successful Networking
Make it work for your business.
Networking is about building your profile locally and developing new relationships. A lot of business owners thrive in this environment and enjoy the experience however there are many that dread the prospect and refuse to participate. With current market conditions it is vital that you consider networking as part of your marketing strategy.
Using local networks and business groups is a great way to get yourself and your business known in the local community. Building relationships with potential customers, contacts and sources of referral for your business is important for your continued success.
Planning, preparation and practice are all important so don’t just jump in. You need to think this through and prepare a networking strategy.
Some useful points to consider for your strategy;
- Purpose -ask yourself why are you going and set event goals?
- Cost -consider event cost; is the time and effort worthwhile?
- Success -determine what networking success looks like to you?
- Pitch -develop your story, sell the benefit not the business
- Practice -don’t wing it or become complacent
- Outcome -have realistic expectations
- Connect -make sure to follow up on your connections & promises
- Measure -analyse results and revise strategy, if necessary
Networking is about people; not selling and you must be prepared to give in order to receive. Remember relationships take longer than one meeting to develop and these need to be worked at. Make sure to greet each new contact with a willingness to learn more about them, a keenness to assist, and an understanding to stay in touch.
First impressions count so make yours a good one. Dress appropriately for the event and make an impact with a good handshake, eye contact and a genuine smile. Acknowledge their name and engage them with a question about themselves rather than telling them all about you.
You may want to ask some of these useful questions:
- What do you like best about what you do?
- What got you started in that direction?
- What do you love/enjoy most about what you do?
- What do you see as the coming trends in your business?
- How would you describe the ideal client/customer/prospect for your business?
- Do you belong to any other network groups?
Have plenty of business cards with you and make notes about your connections on their cards as a reminder.
With the right preparation and focus, networking can be the most valuable tool for your business.
Dawn McLaughlin & Co Chartered Accountants provides a wide range of professional support services for business and community organisations. No matter which sector you are in or size of your business, we have cost-effective solutions that can be tailored to suit your needs.
Understanding what you need to empower you to grow your business is vital for profitability and success. To discuss your business development needs contact Dawn on 02871 370886 or via email [email protected]
