The Secret To Effective Business Networking

I’m always on the lookout for articles about improving businesses, and I found this one tackling the secret to effective business networking. Here are a few snippets:

I've been attending local networking events as long as I've run my content marketing agency (so, 13 years). I'm aware that trying to sell yourself isn't the general concept behind networking, that it's better to build relationships over time rather than "machine gunning" your business card to everyone in the room. Believe me, I've seen people do that, and it never goes well.

But it surprised the heck out of me to get advice about networking from none other than my mother recently. I was complaining to her that work had been slow this summer, and she suggested I try out her "Mamma Networking Theory."

Applying the "Mamma Networking Theory"

I grumbled after reading her email because I felt like if I told people business was slow, I'd look like a failure. There's this weird patina that entrepreneurs wear sometimes to seem like they're more successful than they are so potential clients flock to them. Tell people you're having a fire sale on marketing and they'll flee, or at least that's what I thought.

I decided to reframe my thinking. Rather than "Hey, I'm broke. Got any work for me?", I decided to change my wording to "I'm taking on new clients. Do you know someone I can help?"

How to get what you want in business

Of course, there is a fine line between doing networking right by being a valuable member of the business community and asking for the business. You need to know your audience and genuinely want to help them, not just rake in more revenue. I knew a few of the pain points of this business with regards to social media, so I was able to quickly offer free advice on how they could improve. That usually works one of two ways: They take your advice and "DIY" it, or they're so impressed with your vast knowledge that they hire you. My free advice got me the latter.

So what do YOU want in your business? Are you asking for it? If you want more sales, talk to people at networking events about the area you specialize in. If you're an accountant, ask if they manage their own accounting software and invoices or have a professional they work with. Ask what pain points they have. Even if they're not in the market for an accountant, you may still be able to provide useful tips they'll be glad to have, and you never know who they know they can refer you to.

If you want to keep reading click the link here for the full article. Please feel free to contact me on 0467 749 378 or email at robert@vicleaders.com.au for any thoughts and perspectives.

Thanks,

Robert