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Making the Connection: Boosting Your Business Through online and Offline Networking
Tuesday, October 9th, 2007
Networking is a long-term investment that, when done right, can pay off with a wealth of business contacts, referrals and clients. For those serious about building their own social web, there are plenty of ways to begin, both online and in person.
Network building online
Online social networks are the new alternative to power lunches and golf outings–becoming the mainstream way to find clients, partners and jobs through the virtual contacts made online. In order to be successful, you have to maintain an active presence and contribute plenty of useful knowledge to get noticed and respected. Here are some ways to build your online contact community:
Business networking sites: Millions of business people, including Bill Gates and John Kerry, are exchanging information and meeting new contacts through sites like LinkedIn.com .
Start your own business-talk blog: A great way to link with like-minded people in your industry is to have a daily or weekly rundown of your business-related thoughts. A successful blog will have plenty subscribers, commenters and posters actively reading and discussing the topics you’ve posted about.
Join online communities: For every business industry, you can bet there are dozens of online communities where business people are sharing ideas, posting questions and answers, giving referrals-basically, connecting and making contacts. The key is staying active on your communities, so you are a known, respectable presence. Communities such as the Wholesale Forums , for instance, can help connect you with wholesale suppliers and with other business owners who can answer your questions.
Network building offline and in person
If your business relies on local customers and clients, then having a network of people you can meet with face-to-face might be your best bet. It’s important to always keep a pocket (or pocketbook) full of business cards, maintain eye-contact and listen while conversing, and if you make a match, follow up with an email, phone call or handwritten note within 48 hours. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Join local organizations and clubs: Do your research to find groups that are meaningful to you and your business, and participate regularly. Groups can be anything from your local Chamber of Commerce to small business lunch meetings. You can find more information by calling your local Chamber of Commerce or looking in the yellow pages or online.
Attend local business seminars: If you attend an industry-specific seminar, chances are you’ll be surrounded by business people you have plenty in common with.
Attend trade shows and conferences: Not only will you meet vendors of products or services you need for your business, but you’ll also be able to network with the hundreds of other attendees who are in your industry or line of work.
Talk to people whenever you can: You never know when you’ll run into your next business connection. A casual encounter in line at the deli, waiting for the elevator, etc. could lead to a client or a great referral. By striking up small conversations with people whenever you can, you increase your chances of meeting a business connection and adding them to your ever-growing network.
Whether your networking is happening online or offline, the most important thing to remember is that your contacts need to be nourished, not forgotten. Being a successful networker requires a commitment to your group of associates–continually providing information, resources and referrals. Networking takes time but the payoff is that your group of contacts will hopefully begin to see you as knowledgeable and interesting and a contact worthy to refer to others. Over time, your contacts will turn into friends and you’ll come to depend on them for information just as much as they will for you. Many networkers begin with the hope of gaining new clients, but eventually realize that networking gives back much more in terms of long-term, dependable business relationships that can last a lifetime.
Tags: boosting business, Carrie Hinkel, Generating More Sales, linjkedin.com, offline terworking, online networking, wholesale forums
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