Are you a complete novice when it comes to networking?
Are you new to networking? Have you been told that networking is something you should be doing, but aren’t really sure what it even is?
You’re not the first person to find yourself in this position, and you definitely won’t be the last!
Here at the DARWIN.vip Academy, we help people at every stage of their journey – and that includes those at the very beginning who are completely new to networking. So, just in case that’s you, we thought it was about time we wrote a blog article that explains what networking groups are, as if you’ve never been to one before, you might not know what they’re all about!
Why you should be networking
You really should be networking if any of the following apply:
Networking can help you to achieve all of these things.
Is it about time you got stuck in?
What's networking all about?
First things first – if you’re new to all things networking, you might not be aware of what networking is. In essence, it’s interacting with fellow businessfolk to develop relationships. No matter what industry you’re in, knowing the right people can really pay dividends – and networking’s how you can meet them.
These professionals could be in the same industry as you, or in a complementary field, and have the potential to work with you – or refer work to you – once they’ve got to know and trust you.
Networking groups exist online and in person to facilitate the building of these relationships. Some groups are big, some are small, some are formal and some are relaxed – there’s so much choice out there, it’s important when you’re new to networking that you try a few to find a group that suits you and your business. Or maybe you’ll end up joining more than one, which is also okay!
How can I get started?
Networking doesn’t always mean going along to a group, and if you’re not ready to do this yet, you can start with LinkedIn! Spend a bit of time searching for people in your industry – peers and experts – and connect with people you think could benefit you and your business, through their knowledge, connections or collaboration.
When you connect with someone, make sure you add a personal message to explain why you’d like to get to know them, and tell them a bit about yourself. Networking is a two-way street, so they’ll want to know what makes you a good connection for them, too.
No connection is a bad one, as even if someone isn’t likely to work with you directly, you never know who they might put you in touch with further down the line.
When done right, networking can lead to more exposure, more opportunities and therefore, more clients – and the right type of clients, too! But you have to be willing to put the time and effort in to make it worthwhile.
It's not what you know...
We all know that it’s WHO you know! So, grab the bull by the horns and get stuck in with networking.
Do you want to find out more before you start searching for a group to join? You’re in the right place, as here at the DARWIN.vip Academy, that’s what we’re all about.
In fact, we have a FREE guide that we wrote specifically for people who are new to networking, and you can download it right here.
Get your copy today and dive deep into the world of networking – we’re sure you won’t look back, as the benefits for your business will be too good to resist!