What are the benefits of business networking?

The benefits of business networking are undeniable

Have you been told by various people – whose opinions you value – that you should be networking to get your business out there? Or have you just heard through the grapevine that people you know are seeing a lot of success through business networking?

It can be difficult to understand how big the benefits of business networking can really be until you get stuck in and have learned the ropes, but here at the DARWIN.vip Academy, we’d love to share what has worked for us and our course graduates with you, so that you can make the most of networking to grow your business, too!

Networking is vital for small businesses, and it can really be the difference between simply bumbling along and really smashing it…can you afford not to give it a go?

So, what’s the fuss all about?

Well, networking provides a perfect platform for you to make connections and build relationships with people in the same industry as you, in your local area or further afield, and even in your ideal audience.

When you go along to any networking event, you have the opportunity to build relationships with people you may never have crossed paths with otherwise. If you head to an industry-specific meeting, these people can provide you with valuable advice and insight into your industry; if you head to a local meeting, you can meet key contacts who you may work with or receive referrals from in the future. You can share thoughts and ideas, gain feedback, and learn from others.

It’s all about relationships

The saying ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ has been around for a long time, and it’s still as true as ever. By building your network with likeminded, professional folk, both in your industry and ideal audience, you’ll open more doors than you ever thought possible.

Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s easy though, as it’s not just a case of knowing someone well enough to say hi – it’s about building meaningful relationships, with a foundation of trust, and putting the effort in to maintain those relationships.

If you do this, you’ll soon tap into the many benefits of business networking.

How to network effectively

Just to help you get started, here’s what we’ve found makes business networking effective:

• Pick a group that suits you – groups can be formal, casual, huge, intimate, online, in person, industry-specific, have seats for different professions… there are lots of choices to be made. If you’re not sure yet, give a few a go and see what you enjoy! The better the group suits you, the more comfortable you’ll be, and the more you’ll get out of it.
• Be prepared! Do your research and check out who will be at the event you’re attending before you go. Have a look at their LinkedIn profiles and jot a few things down – you never know when you might have a quiet moment to fill and asking questions about relevant topics that they’re genuinely interested in is a great way to do that.
• Follow up! You’ve worked hard to make connections at your event, so don’t let them go cold. Get in touch with the people you spoke to and connect with them on LinkedIn – if you feel the timing’s right depending on how your conversation went at the group, ask them for a 121! And if you have a 121…? You’ve got it, follow up again afterwards.