Tweet

Business Networking: How to Network and Gain New Customers

Guest post by: Sue Barrett

Article Overview: Your business depends on customers to survive. Advertising and marketing strategies can become expensive, and some tactics turn out to cost you more money than the revenue that they generate. Business networking can cut your advertising expenses significantly while growing your customer base.

Business Networking: How to Network and Gain New Customers

Your business depends on customers to survive. Advertising and marketing strategies can become expensive, and some tactics turn out to cost you more money than the revenue that they generate. Business networking can cut your advertising expenses significantly while growing your customer base. You also do not have to be a good salesperson to network effectively, just be yourself.

Networking is a good skill for any business owner to have, and knowing where to network can be just as important. Sure, family and close friends can help promote your business and be a great resources of referrals, but ideally you want to expand your network. Getting involved in community activities, volunteering at charity events and joining your local Chamber of Commerce are all ways of growing your network.

Volunteer and Get Free Advertising

Not only can volunteering be rewarding, it can also bring you new customers and referrals. Choose a charity that you like or an activity that you enjoy and participate as much or as little as you want. You can join more than one group and even participate in one-time or annual activities, like city or school fundraisers.

If your line of work involves a specialized skill like website design, event planning or construction work - see if you can share your skill and expertise to assist with the organization's activities. This is an easy way to introduce your skills to others and become the "go to" person in your trade. Volunteer Match is a website that lists charity activities and event by type and location.

Networking Groups Make Marketing Fun

Networking groups do not necessarily have to be business-focused. In addition to being involved in trade and industry groups, there are alumni groups, sports and activity groups, volunteer organizations, social clubs and even regional associations. Meeting people with common interests makes it easier and more fun to network, so you do not have to feel like you are constantly marketing.

You can get involved in a very active group or one that meets less frequently, like once a month. Rather than simply showing up to group activities, you will be able to "market" yourself more easily by volunteering to be a chairperson or leader of some sort. The more effort you make, the more others will want to make an effort on your behalf.

Use the Internet with Business Social Networking and Other Sites

Social media is growing fast - and no wonder! This method of communication enables people to reach many people very quickly and stay in touch easily for very little cost. Whether you build your social media network around your business or other interests, you can use this popular strategy to casually inform visitors and followers about what you do for a living.

The key is to avoid blatantly promoting your business all the time. You do not have to share what you ate for breakfast every morning either. Share ideas, thoughts and news that will likely interest others and encourage them to return back or become a subscriber.

Websites like Face book, Linked In and Twitter are all online communities where you can connect your business. There is no cost to sign up and no computer experience is required to use these services. Some lesser known sites that are good for reaching other business owners include Focus, Tribe and Networking for Professionals.

Let people get to know you as a person while also informing them of what you do without throwing out a sales pitch. When you are involved in group activities and events, you can demonstrate to others that you are reliable, skilled, easy to work with, trustworthy, friendly, etc.. Interestingly, these are all traits that someone wants in a business relationship, which is one of the reasons business networking can work so well.

Related Articles
  A N.E.T.W.O.R.K. of Words to Help You NETWORK
  10 Steps for Developing Your INDIVIDUAL NETWORKING PLAN
  Effective Networking = Business/personal Success
  Business Networking: Stop Working the Room
  The Difference Between Networking and Selling
  Endless Referrals
  Networking Mistake Myopia
  How To Integrate Your Online Networking with In-Person Events for Best Results
  Networking with Online Home Business Owners and Why it is Essential
  Networking is Smart Marketing
  The Do’s and Don’ts of Networking
  A Proven Way To Boost Your Customer Numbers and Increase Your Sales
  Creating Your Value Based Network – A 3-Step Process
  Networking Tip - 5 Social Networking Ways That Benefit Introverts
  The Secrets of Social Network Marketing and Why Marketers Should Use It
  Is Your NETworking?
  Best of the Janes: Networking to Build Business and Support
  Tips To Receive Free Network Marketing Leads
  Does Networking Really Work?
  Intro to Social Networking

Article Tags: business networking, customers, how to network, marketing, network



Related Forum Posts
Re: UPDATES: New Campaign! New Layout! New Ideas! - GT - thanks for the FYI - I'm not sure if we'll put a link back. Something to consider though! Trent - the new category is "Social Network and Media" which was put in to compliment the Online Businesses category that currently exists. Overall the new categories are: - Looking For, Networking and Events - Review My... - Social Network and Media - Brags and Rants These came as a result of Ringo doing research on other forums and thinking about what could be improved on ours to give a better experience for everyone. I hope you enjoy them! David, I'm looking forward to reading your Brag / Rant!
Re: How can a social networking site make serious money? - Hi There, It is quite interesting, that some Social Networking do produce an income. I think testimonials are always a benefit to share. See one below: This Social Network has changed my life! Every night is a Friday night and everyday is a Saturday!! Because of it, I have been able to leave the workforce 10 years early.It has given me back my life. Many of us would like to retire early. I am sure there are many more. The point is of focusing with great determination. The ongoing challenge is to stay focussed and not be sidetracked into a newer scheme or so. Also I have read, during this financial turmoil, more people turn to Social Networking for various reasons.
Re: MLM Marketing, youtube, and buzzirk mobile. - I have experience with MLM too. My initial reaction to the business was "snake-oil salesman" but once I got to understand the "overall business model" I am now an advocate to it. MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) is also known as Network Marketing. I realized an MLM business is no different than any other business. One needs to focus on both words "Network" and "Marketing" and give both equal respect. Some people focus heavily on the Networking part but forget "Marketing". I've started to use Building on a Budget and Magnetic Sponsoring concepts in my NM business and have found that people don't get involved so much because of the product but more because of what you bring to the table as far as marketing systems and support. I have both products listed in my signature. you don't have to buy it as the link to the free videos itself provides you a good understanding of what is required to position yourself as my above paragraph. If you do plan on purchasing it I can tell you that the measly $40 will open your eyes BUT your upline will not be too happy (atleast in the short term) beacuse the system is not duplicateable. I wrote this post as a polar post to Bulmer's reply as I have exhausted the friends and family networking and realized i never really focused on marketing. My leads now are more qualified and open to hearing about my opportunity than the other way around. my 2 cents if you plan on growing an MLM or Networking Marketing business.
Network Marketing Business - Hello all, Recently, I had join a Network Marketing Business on a part-time basis. Does anyone here who has some knowledge on this type of business? I want to learn as fast as I can from all the gurus here
10 best franchises to get involved - My advice is: 1) Go to the library and start reading business books (accounting, finance, etc.) 2) Go to your local community college and enroll in night classes 3) Join the local Chamber of Commerce 4) Network / Network / Network -- through the above sources. Once you have spent two years doing the above, then look for a 55 - 60 year old business person that is looking to reduce their time in the business. Then you can work on a sweetheart financing option.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Maximum Impact Restaurant Greening

How do you keep it together on a daily basis?

Leader's Success Secret: Celebration

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.