These days, most people are pretty adept at building connections online without ever meeting in person. While this is a valid way to help grow your business, in-person networking remains one of the best ways to genuinely connect with others.
And in these unusual times, when we say in-person, that doesn’t necessarily mean sitting across a table from someone in a cafe! It can still mean connecting by Zoom or other digital methods.
Business networking is a powerful business tool that can help you grow your business and brand – but you have to know how to do it right.
In this article, we’ll share our top tips on how to get out there and build those vital connections via business networking.
How To Get The Most Out Of Business Networking
Tips For Effective Business Networking
There are lots of things you can do to make your networking endeavours more effective. They are:
Come prepared
Heading to an event where you’d like to do a little business networking? Don’t just wing it; make sure you’re prepared to get the most from it. Bring plenty of business cards, and have an idea of what you will say.
You don’t need to practise a fully scripted elevator pitch, but it can be helpful to consider what you might tell people about your business once you get chatting. If you have an idea of who might be attending the event, you could even do a bit of research about their organisation to get a few talking points in your head.
Remember that networking can happen anywhere, anytime, too: always carry some business cards with you in case you bump into an interesting connection while you’re in line at the supermarket or attending an event at your kids’ school.
Be authentic
Being prepared is great, but sounding as if you’re reading a well-practised speech when you’re chatting with someone is awkward and likely to send them scurrying in the other direction.
The best advice for business networking is to relax and be yourself. Relationships (business and personal) are built through genuine connection, so build trust by being authentic and friendly.
Aim to connect, not sell
Business networking isn’t about selling your services. It’s about building relationships. Don’t go in with the mindset of getting work, but rather to create connections.
By all means, talk about business if the conversation heads that way, but don’t force it. It’s perfectly acceptable to chat about other things as you get to know someone.
Present yourself well
Present yourself as you want your business to be perceived! This doesn’t mean showing up to a skateboarding competition in a suit if your company produces skatewear. It’s all about being authentic to your niche while acknowledging the space where the networking will take place.
Be comfortable, be authentic, and be presentable. That also refers to the way you behave. Being polite is a great idea; being overly formal may be offputting. Having a drink with a new acquaintance can help build a relationship, but drinking too much and getting messy may damage your brand.
Communicate clearly
Networking isn’t just about selling your products or services. It’s about looking for opportunities to grow your business in a variety of ways – some you may not even have thought of yet.
The best way to approach networking is by being receptive. Listen as much as you talk. Look for opportunities to add value to others. Think of ways you can support other businesses to grow, instead of just thinking about what they can do for you.
Perfect your follow up
Want to make sure that great conversation you had at a meetup doesn’t get forgotten? Find a way to keep the relationship going.
Reach out to your new contact to build that connection. Maybe you have a helpful resource or article you could send that they could benefit from. Perhaps you can connect with them by commenting on their social media platform or touch base with them on LinkedIn.
Look for complementary businesses
Two heads are always better than one, so it makes sense that two businesses working together can help you level up your own business growth. Don’t just network with the goal of connecting with potential customers. Network with the goal of finding complementary businesses that you could cross-market with.
If you’re a mechanic, consider building connections with panel beaters or tyre shops. If you’re a florist, network with wedding planners or venues. These kinds of professional relationships provide opportunities to cross-market, collaborate, and support one another without being in direct competition.
The Power Of Networking
In the digital age, the art of real-life business networking may be disappearing, with many people more comfortable interacting with others online than in person. It’s natural to feel nervous if you’re a bit rusty when interacting with other professionals, but if you follow our tips above, you’ll have a virtual address book full of fantastic connections.
So, grab your business cards, get out there, and start chatting – you may be surprised at the opportunities that pop up!