Now you know that businesses grow through relationships and contacts: It’s not what you know, but who you know. Positive recommendations and referrals are gold to your business – treat them well and reap the rewards. This is the last post in a series on networking that will set you on the road to networking success.
The elevator pitch is still a critical piece of your networking arsenal. You should be able to succinctly describe your business in an engaging way. There is no one-size-fits-all pitch – tailor it to the specific audience.
Networking events bring together loads of opportunities for you. Prepare your pitch, bring a handful of business cards, and bump up your confidence. Be interested and interesting as you meet people. Exchange cards with a comment about how you might be able to help the other person. Follow up in a few days with an email.
Networking groups are a regular consistent way to connect with others. Choose a group that fits what you want in terms of size, time commitment, industries represented, and goals.
Remember: establish your networking goals, fill your toolbox with the most effective methods to achieving your goals, and build your network with resourceful contacts. Be sure to evaluate your success often and change what doesn’t work.
This concludes our series on business networking.
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