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Why Your Small Business Needs to Network

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Attend the #StyleMyBiz Networking Events  to connect with businesses and learn from industry experts 

The term networking has been thrown around loosely for a very long time. Making connections with new people has always been something you are told to do as a budding entrepreneur, whether it’s to build a new audience, gain new contacts or grow your business.

However, networking is more than just meeting new people and talking about common interests, it’s about meeting the right people—people that will stimulate business growth and help you advance your career. Networking is critical to personal growth and business success, but it can also fun. People who share a similar drive and ambition, are more likely to move forward as a group.

Building relationships with the right people is the proper way to take full advantage of networking. Although it sounds like going out and chatting to new people, it’s actually a bit more tricky than that. It is strategic in that you are building a network of people and entrepreneurs who share common interests and will help you grow.

Opportunities

The many benefits of networking your business include:

  • Customer referrals
  • Word-of-mouth exposure
  • New business relationships or partners
  • Co-marketing and co-promotional opportunities
  • Great business advice
  • Access to a suite of new products and services
  • Stronger relationships
  • Being backed by trusted individuals

Online networking

Traditional networking begins with attending events, connecting online through LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, and interacting with articles and blog posts. By connecting online, there is often a lack of personal connection. Take this chance to ask the person to connect face to face.

Networking Events

Attending a networking event gives you the opportunity to make that face to face connection right off the bat and create a good first impression. This is crucial to a budding relationship. When attending networking events you should be prepared with a set of topics you find interesting and a set of questions about the industry or about business growth.

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Find common ground

Avoid selling your business when networking. Instead sincerely engage with other business owners so they will be more willing to offer advice and collaborate. Focus your attention on learning as much as possible about the other person and their business to figure out what you have in common. Discuss other similarities your business has and inquire about their go-to marketing strategies and how they engage with their market. Create a good impression so that they’ll want to meet a second time and continue the conversation.

Share

You must be willing to provide some insight for the other party to learn from. Give them referrals and tips on marketing strategies, just like you would expect from them. The relationship must be nurtured by sending leads and sharing each other’s content online.

Networking your business is a great experience. You will not only get advice and support from peers and mentors but take away a lot more including customer referrals and brand awareness. Set networking goals for the year and try to reach them. By meeting new people and creating strong connections, your business will flourish.

Looking for a great place to start networking? Attend the #StyleMyBiz networking events in Vancouver and Toronto. They are designed for small businesses to make the most of networking, with opportunities to discuss your business goals and solutions.

Attend the #StyleMyBiz Networking Events  to connect with businesses and learn from industry experts 

Anastasia graduated with a BA Honors Communications Degree and is currently pursuing her passion for writing and helping small businesses succeed.