In our digitally-driven world, personal interaction’s power is more valuable than ever. While it is the norm to partake in online communities, email clients, or video conference a meeting, face-to-face communication that fosters trust and leads to solid, long-term business relationships is, without question, worth the time and effort. Whether you own a micro or small to medium-sized business, or even if you are employed by a large organization, and are seeking to grow your business, here are 9 reasons why networking is a powerful tool.
Networking generates referrals and increases business
Referrals are the lifeline of a business. People like to pass business to those they know and trust – but this will only happen if you have a network of contacts in the first place.
A good network is consciously created; networking success depends on hard work. Effective and mutually beneficial relationships are not simply something you stumble across; they must be worked on and cultivated over time.
Networking provides an increase in opportunities
As you actively develop your network of business contacts and build up positive relationships, you will find that you will naturally receive business referrals as people who trust you recommend your services.
In addition to referrals, you never know what opportunities may open up. Being active in a business network environment and providing the group as much value as possible may lead to opportunities you could never have imagined
Networking generates helpful connections
Business and personal success is all about making genuine connections. People like to help people they know and trust; people are much more likely to go out on a limb on behalf of people who are willing to help them first.
It is essential to take the time to keep your unique connections alive. Send follow-up emails, keep in touch with people to see what they have been up to, and help out where ever they need anything you can provide.
Networks lead to valuable advice
A network of reliable contacts who can provide you with services or products you need or who can be trusted to recommend others is priceless in terms of time and money.
Beyond this, the priceless value of a business network is that it provides potential advisors and mentors who can, through their own experience, give you the foresight of their lessons learned from success or failure and first-hand experimentation.
Networks raise your profile
By expanding your contact sphere through networking, you are correspondingly raising your public profile.
People know you exist and see what you do, and through your effort to remain top-of-mind, you will be more likely to be thought of when your products or services are required.
Networks provide a positive influence
Your business network is potentially a great business support group. Most people have an employee mentality, and it can be challenging to find people who have experienced similar problems to you.
Connecting with other business owners and leaders allows you to get advice from people who understand what you are going through.
With the support of others, much more is possible, and you will find yourself overcoming hurdles and achieving more than you could have imagined.
Networking increases confidence
Although periodic self-doubt is common among business owners, networking is a great way to combat this bugbear. By prioritizing interacting with other business owners, you will find that your confidence naturally begins to grow.
More than this, the more you network, the more practiced and confident you become at clearly communicating what you do and who constitutes your target market or ideal referral.
Networking allows the benefit of helping others
Successful networking starts with giving, and one of the most significant advantages of networking in business is that it provides a platform for helping others.
One way to generate action in your network is to be viewed as someone who connects with others. It is powerful to be the go-to person when people need help – and people automatically look to connectors when they need assistance.
Networking creates lasting friendships
By growing your contact sphere and getting to know and helping people, you will develop a network of people you want to spend time with, share ideas with, and learn from.
One of the key benefits of business networking is that you will gain several excellent friends – even though your initial purpose for networking was to grow your business.
If you would like an invite to a networking event, click here to meet the owner of Every Task, Claudia Lowry. She would love to meet you and invite you to one or two networking events that are suited to your needs.