Is your business growing? If this is not the case, you may need to focus on the network more often. Assuming you have a limited ship and provide high quality professional services, you probably don’t have enough contacts with business owners and executives who can refer clients to you.
Let’s pretend you have a website building business. in a thriving city like San Diego – how would you build your business with networks? You could do this by learning the art of effective networking, connecting with the right people, and communicating in the right places.
The art of networking
Not enough for the web, you have to do it well too. Take the time to read books, articles, and blog posts about effective networking. Then create a plan to help you succeed. When you communicate systematically, rather than just randomly meeting people and hoping for a better outcome, it takes your business to the next level faster.
Connect with the right people
Spend most of your work communicating with business owners, company executives and independent professionals who will provide you with client recommendations.
Here are three examples of the types of professionals who might recommend you because they are not in a competitive business:
- Networking with the head of a San Diego marketing agency who helps business clients with their marketing.
- Network with a San Diego-based business lawyer who assists business owners in their legal matters.
- Network with a freelance copywriter who writes sales letters and white papers for businesses.
These professionals will be happy to refer you. Not only will this help them improve their own relationships with their clients, but you can also return the service and refer clients who need marketing, legal, or copywriting services.
Naturally, you will meet all types of business owners. networking events, but focus on people with common business interests. While it might be fun to talk to a small bakery owner, for example, he or she is less likely to recommend people looking for a web developer. Don’t spend an hour or two talking to the baker because they love your soccer team, they hang out with other people.
Where to connect?
Many organizations in San Diego help you meet other people interested in networking. These social events usually take place one evening a week at a popular restaurant in the city center. By choosing several groups, you can chat several times a week in the evenings.
Here are two examples:
- Accelerated networking in San Diego is a networking organization.
- Networking After Work – Networking Events in San Diego is a Meetup group that meets in various locations.
Online versus offline network
While it may seem pretty old-fashioned if you can join the network in person, when you can just join multiple social media groups and network from the comfort of your home or office, your chances of success will exponentially increase when you meet people in person.
Networking offline doesn’t mean you should completely ignore social networking. There is no reason why you cannot do both.
Be patient persistent
While you cannot organize who you will meet, networking will put you in the right position to meet people. who will help you grow your business. By establishing a connection, you will increase your chances of success. Sometimes you can meet the right people within a few weeks of communication. In other cases, significant business relationships may take several months to develop. So be patient and persistent.
