Short answer no.
Networking has to be a regular part of your business if you want to have a successful business. Especially a successful small business.
That said, comments like the one above are not in short supply. Good networking is a very important factor to building a successful and sustainable business.
Have you ever heard the saying: ‘your network is your networth?’ well this truth remains rains true. A lot of the time it is more to do with the quality of your network that determines the success you get in your business. It has been said that there is an art to networking. This means the more effective you are at networking the better for you and your business.
The full and true value of your network is built over time as you deepen relationships and begin to branch out as one connection tends to lead to another.
Here are some specific things you can do when you meet someone who can be a better networker:
1. Reconnect immediately. It’s good to do this for two reasons. We will likely meet many people in our lives and we will likely also forget a lot of people. So be courteous, send a thank you message/email. Remind them of who you are and what you do. Suggest a time for a future and perhaps even a topic or point of discussion. You could also consider sending a hand-written note instead of a typical message.
2. If you talked about anything specific when you first met, try and take some notes. It’s something we would all like to do more often when we meet people the first time, but that rarely happens in reality. So do your best to help both of you remember 😉
3. There are some instances where you may not be able to help directly, but you can help indirectly. A very effective strategy is to offer or ask who you can recommend to there business to make their business more successful.
4. As time goes on, it is important to keep the connection. You may for example:
- See their name in an article online, let them know
- Find a news article of interest, be sure to pass it on
- Note something new in your business area or industry, be sure to share it
- Find something or someone who may be able to help them, be sure to give them the heads up
5. Send through information unrelated to business too! The person may have mentioned they like Jazz or Classical music for example, and you know a group will be in your area performing - send them the details.
6. Try and meet on a somewhat regular basis. And while meeting just to reconnect is fine, think about a specific question or topic you might discuss.
7. Celebrate their successes and a note on holidays, birthdays, etc. It’s a nice touch.
Networking can be a very powerful tool for your business. The more you work at it, the better you get at it. The better you get at it the greater your returns.
Hope you found the tips useful.
Catch you on the other side!
Signing off!