As a new entrepreneur, building a strong network is essential to help your business grow and achieve its goals. However, networking can be intimidating, especially when you're starting out. Here are some tips to help you network effectively:
1. Attend industry events: Look for events related to your industry and attend them. These events provide an excellent opportunity to meet other professionals and exchange ideas. They can also help you stay updated on new trends and developments in your field.
2. Come prepared: Before attending a networking event, prepare yourself. Get your energy levels up especially if you are an introvert. Be ready to engage in conversations and follow up with people afterward. A great tool that you can use for capturing leads is mobile card. I gave up handing out business cards and worrying if they would end up in bathroom stalls or trash cans…. Make sure you are not being superficial and speed dating when meeting new prospects.
3. Join networking groups: Joining networking groups is a great way to meet new people and build relationships. These groups can provide opportunities to connect with other like-minded entrepreneurs and professionals in your industry. The University of Toledo has the Family Business Center which is a great resource for business leaders. I am sure other Universities have this as well near you.
4. Build authentic relationships: Focus on building genuine relationships. Take the time to get to know people on a personal level, find common interests, and build trust. This approach will make people more likely to want to do business with you in the future.
5. Follow up: After meeting someone at a networking event, make sure to follow up with them. Send them an email or connect with them on social media. Take the time to personalize your message and show that you are genuinely interested in building a relationship. A great resource I talked about earlier is Mobilo.
6. Give before you receive: Networking is not just about what you can get from others. Look for opportunities to serve others in your network. This could be as simple as sharing information or resources, making introductions, or providing support.
7. Be consistent: Building relationships takes time and effort, so be patient and persistent. Attend events regularly, follow up with people, and stay engaged.
Networking is an essential aspect of building a successful business. By attending events, joining networking groups, building authentic relationships, following up, giving before receiving, and being consistent, you can build a strong network that will help your business grow and achieve its objectives.
“Businesses wonder why it is still hard to be thought of as the brand of choice with the best customers and top employees. How can our business make more profitable transactions and stay out of the commodity battle with low profits? How can we land and keep top talent in our organization with the salary wars. Kevin teaches your sales and leadership teams how to build the key ingredient to be successful with their relationships and take your goals to the next level with high levels of engagement.
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Kevin’s email: kevin@kevinsidebottom.com
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