This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more information.
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” is a popular cliche in the business world. And there is some truth to it.
Growing your network is a powerful tool in business. Every connection you build is someone who may be able to help you. Either through favors, other connections or just their knowledge.
Networking can help you in your career or if you have a small business. It can help you get new customers and revenue for a small business or promotions and new jobs in a career.
Read on to learn the benefits of networking and tips to expand your network.
1. Join Selective Groups and Clubs
Joining local groups and clubs is an ideal way to build your professional network. Especially clubs related to your business where you might meet other industry leaders you can learn from.
There are often even generic groups for local business owners that work, or even your local Chamber of Commerce can be a good starting point.
Look for industry events and professional organizations related specifically to your business. For instance, if you own a restaurant or bakery, there may be local associations for similar business owners.
Oftentimes there are even big, yearly trade shows for professional organizations related to your business. First find your association and then look for events they are promoting.
You can also check out global events here.
These types of events give you the chance to meet other business leaders at in person networking events. You can find these groups and professional associations online as well.
A strong professional network can also help you grow your business just from the standpoint of what you can learn from other successful business owners.
In addition, don’t overlook groups that are NOT related to your business for professional networking.
Joining groups with people that have a shared interest or hobby with you is another way to meet more people and build a bigger network.
Related reading:
2. Attend Commercial Events
There are many commercial networking events that could be worth attending to meet people.
As we mentioned already, trade shows are an obvious example and are ideal for meeting people within your industry.
There could also be conferences or launch parties being hosted by other businesses that you can attend in order to make useful connections.
Seminars and courses can equally be a great place to meet people and grow your professional network, not to mention the value of courses for your professional development.
3. Think Outside Your Industry
It helps to be innovative in how you think about anything related to your business. Don’t just relay on your own industry to grow your professional network.
One of the overlooked networking tips is to seek people outside your industry. Sometimes you can make a professional contact in another business that has valuable knowledge you can use.
Try networking opportunities outside your business to see who you meet and what comes of it. A robust professional network would include contacts in all walks of life and professions.
You never know what might come of new relationships you build with people.
4. Host Your Own Event
You can also host your own events to meet people and make new contacts!
If you’re just launching (or relaunching) your business, think about throwing a launch party and invite lots of local influential people.
This could be a great chance to meet people who can spread word of your business. Other events you may be able to host to meet people could include seminars where you teach people useful things.
These can be a great opportunity to not just build connections, but build credibility. Why not combine a demonstration of your expertise in your field with a networking event?
This is one of the best networking ideas for small businesses that are just getting started.
5. Connect to People on Social Media
Being active on social media can help you to further make a name for yourself and connect with certain influential people.
On top of promoting your business on social media, make sure that you’re interacting with the content of other business owners and people within your industry. Get your name out there and meet people virtually!
Through humor, debates and spreading knowledge you may be able to build respect online and attract customers who are already familiar with you.
You can make meaningful connections and find networking opportunities online just as much as in-person.
And when it comes to building a professional network, LinkedIn is the most ideal social media platform. Your LinkedIn connections can be extremely valuable.
So work on increasing these connections, and make sure you craft the perfect LinkedIn profile.
6. Connect With Your Alumni Association
Don’t forget to leverage possible alumni contacts to build your network. There is likely a local chapter of your university alumni association that holds networking events.
You have a lot in common with the people who went to your school. And, they are likely more willing to help.
And don’t forget to offer your help to these types of like minded people! Seek out ways to serve others and it will only help you.
7. Help Your Community
Getting more involved in your local community or industry community could be another way to build connections.
You could help sponsor local projects or run campaigns where you raise awareness of certain issues related to your industry.
You can even join local volunteer opportunities and build relationships that way.
Your community will value your support and may help you in return by spreading your name and helping you to generate more business.
How Can I Boost My Networking Effectiveness?
If you want to make your networking efforts more effective, there are a few things you can do to make an impact.
Carry Business Cards
If you meet someone who could be a valuable connection, being able to quickly exchange contact details could be important.
A business card is the best way to do this. There are sites online that allow you to design custom business cards and then get them printed and delivered to your home.
When designing your business card, make sure that it contains all your most important information: your company name, your name, your phone number, your email address and your website address.
You could even print QR codes on the card to save people from having to manually type out your website.
You can try all types of creative business card ideas to make your cards stand out and use online printing. And of course, make sure you don’t lose any cards that others give you at a networking event.
You can use any of these business planners for entrepreneurs to keep the cards you gather at networking events and not lose track of people.
Dress to Impress
How you present yourself should be a reflection of how you wish to present your business.
If you’re attending a social event and there’s a chance you could meet a potential customer or useful connection, make sure that you exhibit professionalism in how you are dressed.
You don’t always have to be dressed in a suit or your business attire, however you don’t want your appearance to be messy or shabby. Aim to look organized and confident at all times.
Don’t be Shy
Making connections requires going out of your way to talk to people.
If you’re not good at small talk, you’ll need to learn to master this. Only by approaching people and getting conversations going will you generate useful leads.
To ease yourself in, think about attending purpose-built networking events. Bringing friends or business partners along can also help to make such events less daunting.
Ask for Introductions to Meet New Professional Contacts
Another way to expand networking is to ask your current contacts to introduce you to other people. You can do this with people you know in real-life or with your LinkedIn connections.
Leverage your existing relationships to build out your professional network. If you want to know how to grow your network, ask the people you already know for help!
What is a Network?
What exactly is defined as a network? Your network is simply the group of people that you know. In a business network it might be other professionals you work with, other business owners and anyone you come into contact with in your business.
Where Can You BUild Your NEtwork?
Here are some ideal places to leverage for networking:
- Business luncheons
- Conventions
- Trade shows
- Your association or industry events and luncheons
- Alumni events
- Fundraising events
- Professional associations
What Does it Mean to Grow Your Network?
Growing your network simply means meeting new people and building more relationships with people. The more contacts you have, the more your network grows.
Why is It Important to Network?
It may sound strange, but regularly talking to strangers and meeting people can help you find new customers for your business.
People value relationships and are more likely to buy from someone they know. So networking and meeting people can turn up all kinds of opportunities.
For example, if you are a real estate agent and you tell 10 people you meet about it, it’s possible that one of those people will call you up someday and hire you.
Or the next time someone asks them if they know a good agent, they will drop your name.
You don’t want to act like you are trying to sell your services though when you are networking. Just try to meet people and build valuable relationships. You never know where a casual conversation might lead.
Networking extends beyond just the people you meet. Anyone you meet might be able to recommend you to others.
This is where you’ll generate most of your customers through networking – by befriending people who can pass on information about your business through word of mouth.
This could include fellow local business owners who you can form cross-promotion strategies with or everyday people who may just so happen to know someone that needs your business.
When it comes to very niche businesses, you may have to be more selective as to the places you network.
For example, if you run a business selling martial arts equipment, you may not find much business at your local bar. However, when attending martial arts conventions and tournaments, you could find more valuable connections.
The best thing about networking is that you can do it for free. Some businesses are able to grow while investing very little money into marketing, simply by talking to people and spreading awareness of their business through word of mouth. It’s ideal for businesses on a tight budget.
Final Thoughts on How to Expand Your Professional Network
Now that you know the importance of networking and some of the ways to do it, why not get out there and start making connections?
Once you’ve built those first leads, you’ll realize just how valuable networking can be.
Make sure to experiment with different types of networking and prepare in advance by carrying business cards and dressing to impress.
And don’t try too hard to sell! Remember one of the best tips for networking which is to work on building relationships.