When it comes to developing your business, networking may not be high on your list of priorities.
It can often be seen as a necessary evil; something that must be done in order to find new contacts but that takes away from the “real work” or even something to dread because it means meeting and talking to strangers.
But, networking is actually a vital part of building your business – it puts you in front of important people within your industry as well as current or potential customers and clients.
If you are still not sure it is for you, then here are five ways that successful networking can develop your business.
- Meet new people
Obviously the first thing that will happen when you attend networking events, is that you will meet new people. Any of these people could then go on to become customers, clients, perhaps even colleagues.
It is better to speak to fewer people and really get to know them, than spread yourself too thinly in order to speak to as many as possible. Even if you just meet 3 people at an event, if they are the right people, then they are 3 more than you knew before you went. And if you meet 3 people at every event you attend, this will quickly add up and boost your customer base.
The more events you attend, the more people you meet, the bigger your business grows!
- Create beneficial and lasting connections
If you do it right you will create connectionsthat are both lasting and beneficial. These are people who you will then be able to go to for help and advice when you need it. You never know where a new connection could lead.
- Successful correspondence guaranteed
Once you have made that initial face-to-face contact and created a relationship in person, your correspondence, both offline and online, will be much better received. That email that pings to their inbox won’t be from a faceless stranger, and therefore will be opened and read straight away rather than left to disappear amongst other emails. Likewise, when a letter lands on their doorstep headed with your company name and logo, it will be opened rather than thrown in the bin.
You haven’t considered Letterhead Printing? It is a great way to catch someone’s eye and portray your brand in a professional way.
- Raise your profile
If you stand out at a networking event you will raise your profile, as more and more people start to know your name and what you do.
So, even if you don’t get to talk to everyone, your presence will become known.
- Develop your knowledge and skills
Each new person you meet and each event you attend will enable you to broaden your knowledge and skills which, as a result, will enable you to add something new and different to your business. This could be new ways of thinking, better ways of doing things or something you have never even considered.
You will hear what has worked, and also failed for others – helping you to make the right decisions going forward.
You may find that networking quickly becomes an extremely valuable asset to your business.