Must-Have Business Networking Tips Articles | Marketing

By: Kathryn Ali

Networking appears to be the keyword of today’s businesses. If you are searching for a new job, or new customers then networking is a method to introduce yourself to both yourself and your business to thousands of prospective customers and clients. 

Prosperous net-workers understand that when they introduce themselves to more people and talk to them about their business then the quicker they create business and gain clients.

If you find it difficult to approach a stranger and start introducing your business, then that is alright. Experiment with some of the tips below and you will find a method that you feel comfortable with. I encourage you to use more than one method though. 

Business Cards:

Whenever you leave home, always make sure that you are carrying business cards with you. Offer them to everyone. Put them in the envelope with bill payments, give them out at the bank and when standing in grocery lines.  After you pay for your hair cut, place a business card on the counter. When paying for your meal at a restaurant, place a business card with the tip on the table. Give out business cards whenever you can. It is less expensive to give out 10,000 business cards than to place a full page ad in a newspaper or magazine. 

Volunteer:

Join an organization that suits your business knowledge and volunteer on an ongoing basis or one time visit. It is a fantastic technique used to meet plenty of people who might be prospective clients and customers for your business. 

Lecturer:

By becoming a speaker at your local organization or group, you create a great vehicle to both introduce yourself to a large number of people and to show them your capabilities.

Business Groups:

Decide how much time you have and join as many business-based groups as possible. It is even better to become an officer of one. To pose yourself in the business community as sitting on the Board of Directors of a business orientated group or service on any level including-local, state or national level, you gain a lot more trust and publicity.

Advertise Yourself As An Expert:

Regional, national and local forms of media need to be able to identify you as the leader in the industry. Let them know you are available for interviews. Best of all, generate a press release that yells out “You have just got to talk to this guy!” to introduce your business in the medium.

Seminars, Classes and Conferences:

By being present at seminars, classes and conferences, you are where other professional business people spend time. You will learn a lot of pointers to help your own business growth and be introduced to many new prospective customers and clients.

Business Support Groups:

It can be hard work to run a business. By joining a business support group, you are able to share your hardships and triumphs with others. You can learn new methods and ideas, but most of all receive the support and fellowship that you need. 

Networking is not that difficult. All you really need to do is make yourself get out of the office sometimes and offer to help others. Perhaps you can help out with a business booth at a job fair or help a local store owner with their computer problems while the store owner helps his customers.  Be friendly, thoughtful and you will gain the public’s trust and at the same time advertise your business. 

By: Kathryn Ali

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