Whether you’re an established entrepreneur or just starting out, you’ll need to network. The best thing you can do for yourself and your business is learn to network effectively. There are many reasons to do this, but perhaps the most important is to avoid business failure.
Why is networking essential? According to the BLS, roughly 20% of all small businesses fail within their first year. To avoid becoming another statistic, do everything possible to keep your business alive and relevant even before you start it. Networking is a great way to start.
To network effectively, you don’t have to attend every networking event and attend every professional conference. Don’t just meet people; that’s pointless. What matters is who you meet.
- Business expansion
- Finding New Partners
- Becoming more visible
Business expansion
Networking can help you build the right team before your business takes off. After all, you want to be surrounded by people who are compatible with your goals and aspirations.
Even if you start as a one-person show, you will want your business to grow with you. Hiring from a network of people you know and cultivating relationships with people you already know can be extremely beneficial to a business.
Finding New Partners
Someone you met in college may become an investor, or a colleague from a professional conference may help you meet a new client. Building a network is important, but so is nurturing the right kind of network.
You may think you have a great idea and wonder why it hasn’t worked out. In this case, your network can help you turn those ideas into viable business options that will yield results. Talking to other experts in your field may reveal how little tweaking or adjusting is required to make a good idea great.
Talking to people who have the same intellect and vision as you can help you grow and flourish.
Becoming more visible
When you network effectively, you become more than your company’s face. It’s best to stand out for what you can offer rather than just one thing you’ve done, as any aspiring entrepreneur knows.
With a regular network of contacts, you can become the go-to entrepreneur for new ventures and new career opportunities.
Remember that ineffective networking will negate all of these benefits. Start with a light conversation. Discuss your interests and specialties, and remember to exchange contact information.