Mumbai, December 14: Business networking as a concept has been there since ages, but it is just the technique which has changed. Before the internet, people connected at social events, conventions, seminars and such events. Today, networking has become extremely easier for business networking groups. Business owners can connect with like-minded people through social media, online forums and video calls.
What does Business Networking Mean?
Business networking means cultivating and building relationships with individuals of similar interests in various ways that can be beneficial to people involved. This means getting leads for new businesses, searching for jobs, selling products, hiring employees and other such aspects.
We have curated 4 quick networking tips for you:
Attend Business Networking Events: Small business owners need to identify the events where they can network. While almost any activity or event can serve as a networking opportunity, but they should attend local business events without fail.
Develop Relationships: Networking is not about selling, but rather developing relationships that can lead to sales or referrals. The idea is to get to know people and allow them to get to know you.
Follow up: Follow up and staying in touch is one of the basic rules of networking. After the event gets over, exchange pleasantries to show how much you enjoyed meeting them. But, do not add them to your mailing list without their permission.
Be active on relevant social networking channels: In today’s age and day, you can’t afford to not use these channels to find and stay in touch with your customers. LinkedIn is a great business platform which helps you to solve several business problems- like hiring, sharing news about your growth and expansion and connecting with people who might be interested in your business.
It is also very important to join relevant business groups where discussions take part. Try and participate in them. Don’t always try and push your brand into everything. For e.g. Quora is also a great platform for small business owners to be. People post their questions and you, therefore, need to keep an eye to see if there is any relevant question where your brand can fit it.
We hope these networking tips come in handy for your brand.