Networking skills are your key to success.
I guarantee the art of effective networking with other like minded entrepreneurs is your route to freedom. I have a few tips on how to best use your time to get as much out of networking events as possible.
- Have your business cards printed and ready. Even if the card only has your name, phone number, email address and company name (it doesn’t have to be registered with Companies House), just something that identifies what you do, it will be enough. Then, as your business grows, you can change it and get a logo etc.
- Have a target of getting 5 business cards or peoples’ contact details per networking event, but make sure you speak to the person for at least 5 minutes and get to know what they do in the industry. The idea is that they remember you and the conversation you had, when they see your card next.
- Have a unique niche that you can provide to each person that you speak to. For example, maybe you know how to set up websites for businesses. If you could offer something different that makes you stand out from the crowd, it would be key.
- Become an integral part of your favourite networking event, for example, become a helper, speaker, person on the door guiding people. This would make you a recognized face amongst the crowd and it makes networking a lot easier.
- Go to different networking meetings, don’t just go to the same one each month. You will be surprised how many people you will see that you recognize and how many new faces are there too.
- Stay in touch. Join Facebook and LinkedIn and build relationships. It’s important that people recognize you when they meet you again.
- Most of all, enjoy yourself at the meetings.Maria Allegria