A healthy network of business contacts from diverse sectors may be one of your greatest assets. It will assist you to find customers, generating fresh ideas, and put you in contact with financial partners, suppliers, and advisors.
The advantage of adding people to your network is that they bring along their network too.
Here are some tips that will help you expand your network.
People do business with people they know, like, and trust. Companies don’t create networks the people in the companies do.
Your professional network will open doors for you that otherwise couldn’t be opened. in most cases it is just what your company can do but how well you relate with people so they can have you at the top of their minds when they see an opportunity that they feel you are the best-suited person for the job.
The business or professional network you have and keep will enable you to learn from their expertise and experiences thus it’s important to have diverse networks.
Tips for creating and building your professional network.
Here are ten business networking tips you’ll be able to use to grow your professional network.
- Be Helpful
When people in your network get stronger, you get stronger. Helping people realise their goals enables them to be in a position to assist you in future when you may need help. according to the law of reciprocity, people may be more driven to reciprocate the favour.
Share your experience and ideas, share information; promote your network’s work and accomplishments; become a connector.
Business transactions are continuous and mutually beneficial. One person is buying a product or service because it will profit them in some way, and one person is selling a product or service they can profit from. If you can connect two people who would benefit from knowing one another, you’ll be able to facilitate two people as well as improve the strength of your network.
- Build a name/be visible
In a professional setting, people opt to build business relationships with people they see as being valuable. By building a name as somebody proficient, helpful, and valuable, people are more motivated to meet you and keep in touch with you. Let people recognize what you’re accomplishing and learn through blogging, emails, and conversations that you have.
If no one is aware of what you’re doing, it’s like it never happened. Maintain regular and consistent touchpoints with people you intend to remain involved with. Communicate via email, blogging, social networking, and also, in-person.
- Be intentional
The best way to make amazing things happen is to make a lot of things happen. Go outside. Manufacture your own fortune.
Go where the people you wish to meet hang out both online and offline. Interact with people and build rapport. Share valuable content and spark attention-grabbing conversations.
Social media may not be your thing, but it can be one of the easiest ways to grow your professional network. And of course, the best professional social media platform is LinkedIn. Having a fully optimized LinkedIn profile is important for many reasons, but it’s only one part of your networking efforts. Join some LinkedIn groups and thoughtfully engage in discussions. Providing helpful advice demonstrates that you’re someone other group members want as part of their network. Over time, that connection could benefit both of you.
Some of the ways you could meet new people include conferences, events, asking people you know for introductions, reaching out to people directly, personal interest groups, classes and workshops, parties, Twitter…
Build a reputation as somebody that delivers on their promises and is persistent. Follow up with people who promised to do something for you. Follow up on emails you send that get ignored. Do what you promised to do for others.
- Think Long-term
Connections open doors, although relationships close deals. Networking is not just about exchanging business cards and connecting on LinkedIn. Networking is most useful when long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships are formed. Relationships take time to build. Be patient. keep in touch with people you like intentionally and learn to listen so you can offer solutions to others and become of value.
- Volunteer
Volunteering lets you give back to causes you believe in. It’s also another unique way to grow your professional network.
In addition to meeting people outside of your profession, working side-by-side with people who support the same cause as you can foster a connection you might not be able to forge via the typical networking situations.
What else would you wish to improve about Yourself?
SUMMARY:Tips to quickly expand your business network
- A healthy network of business contacts can be one of your greatest assets.
- After compiling the best advice I received, studying every relevant book and resource I could find, experimenting, and practising, I learned a lot about how to effectively make new contacts and build relationships.
- Business transactions are always mutually beneficial.
- By building a reputation as someone helpful, and valuable, people will be more motivated to meet you and stay in touch with you.
Author: P Wakesho & K wahome