Build A Successful Business By Staying Connected
Over the course of your business life you'll come in contact with a number of other business people. They could be lawyers, business services, suppliers, customers, etc. These people are important to your business in more ways than one. If you hired them or they bought your product or service, you can also gain their business knowledge, experience, ideas, and advice. How do you do this?
Stay Connected! And Network!
Networking is when two or more different businesses stay in contact on a regular basis to build and improve each others business.
Consider all the benefits you'll gain from talking to other business people:
· Knowledge or information that you didn't have before
· Advice on how to solve a current business problem
· Leads to a new business project or opportunity
· Joint ventures and cross promotion deals
· Learn important skills that you didn't have before
· Constructive criticism that improved your business
· Brainstorming that sparks a profitable business idea
· Encouraging and motivational statements
Of course, there are many ways you can meet business people. Join business clubs and associations. Ensure these clubs or associations are of interest to you and are also relevant to your business. Many businesses make the mistake of joining clubs or associations because others told them to, or because a friend is in that club/association. I always go asking myself, “Is this relevant to my business”? Participate in on-line business-related forums, e-mail discussion groups, and chat rooms. I cannot over-emphasize this point. Participating in forums and other online discussion boards will create two things for you that is critical to your business and to your web site. It will create links to your web site and will also establish you as an expert in your business. The more you participate, the better you will be able to build a relationship with your peers/customers.
As well, go to business expos and trade shows if you can. If not as a vendor, go as a guest. You will be surprised by how many people you can connect with in such events. All it takes is one good lead.
If you have the time, start your own networking group. You could hold meetings at a local seminar room, at a park, or at your own business building. Many libraries/recreation centers also rent out meeting rooms. If you want to hold meetings on-line use a discussion board (forums) or a private chat room. Online forums help in that your physical presence is not required and the general atmosphere is one of being casual and less formal. Great if you want to build a relationship with your peers and other fellow associates.
Of course, you can also publish a print or e-mail newsletter to keep members informed of meeting time and dates as well as other relevant information related to your business.
Keep all your business associates' contact information all in one place. Have it organized by business type or profession for easy finding. So when you need some advice on a new marketing campaign you can call that marketing expert you met at that trade show in Vancouver a couple of weeks ago. I find maintaining this information electronically is extremely convenient. You can slice and dice it anyway you choose. If you don’t have a database program, maintain your contact information in a spreadsheet. If you read one of my earlier articles, you would have seen that I took a database of my contact information and used it very effectively to send out Xmas cards that were customized to each of my contacts.
Networking is a surefire way to build a successful business. I have strongly believed in this technique and will continue to use it in my business. You meet interesting people, learn a ton of stuff and make new friends.
Elvin Picardo
Delivering Net Results to Small Business
Author of numerous articles on web development and Internet Marketing for small business
10723 159th St, Surrey, BC V4N 3J1 Canada
NetMedian.com
Contact Elvin
Stay Connected! And Network!
Networking is when two or more different businesses stay in contact on a regular basis to build and improve each others business.
Consider all the benefits you'll gain from talking to other business people:
· Knowledge or information that you didn't have before
· Advice on how to solve a current business problem
· Leads to a new business project or opportunity
· Joint ventures and cross promotion deals
· Learn important skills that you didn't have before
· Constructive criticism that improved your business
· Brainstorming that sparks a profitable business idea
· Encouraging and motivational statements
Of course, there are many ways you can meet business people. Join business clubs and associations. Ensure these clubs or associations are of interest to you and are also relevant to your business. Many businesses make the mistake of joining clubs or associations because others told them to, or because a friend is in that club/association. I always go asking myself, “Is this relevant to my business”? Participate in on-line business-related forums, e-mail discussion groups, and chat rooms. I cannot over-emphasize this point. Participating in forums and other online discussion boards will create two things for you that is critical to your business and to your web site. It will create links to your web site and will also establish you as an expert in your business. The more you participate, the better you will be able to build a relationship with your peers/customers.
As well, go to business expos and trade shows if you can. If not as a vendor, go as a guest. You will be surprised by how many people you can connect with in such events. All it takes is one good lead.
If you have the time, start your own networking group. You could hold meetings at a local seminar room, at a park, or at your own business building. Many libraries/recreation centers also rent out meeting rooms. If you want to hold meetings on-line use a discussion board (forums) or a private chat room. Online forums help in that your physical presence is not required and the general atmosphere is one of being casual and less formal. Great if you want to build a relationship with your peers and other fellow associates.
Of course, you can also publish a print or e-mail newsletter to keep members informed of meeting time and dates as well as other relevant information related to your business.
Keep all your business associates' contact information all in one place. Have it organized by business type or profession for easy finding. So when you need some advice on a new marketing campaign you can call that marketing expert you met at that trade show in Vancouver a couple of weeks ago. I find maintaining this information electronically is extremely convenient. You can slice and dice it anyway you choose. If you don’t have a database program, maintain your contact information in a spreadsheet. If you read one of my earlier articles, you would have seen that I took a database of my contact information and used it very effectively to send out Xmas cards that were customized to each of my contacts.
Networking is a surefire way to build a successful business. I have strongly believed in this technique and will continue to use it in my business. You meet interesting people, learn a ton of stuff and make new friends.
Elvin Picardo
Delivering Net Results to Small Business
Author of numerous articles on web development and Internet Marketing for small business
10723 159th St, Surrey, BC V4N 3J1 Canada
NetMedian.com
Contact Elvin
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