Networking is one of the most essential personal skills for business people, but it is extremely important for entrepreneurs. Communication and strong presence in the entrepreneurial ecosystem are productive approaches which will help you along your way to building strong relationships with other entrepreneurs from different age groups, nationality and fields of interest.
Business networking events organized around the world bring together extraordinary groups of highly-skilled and talented entrepreneurs who are united around the idea of communication, sharing, creating and developing ideas and last but not least meeting with potential investors. These events attract people from different experience levels and backgrounds. All these people are looking for connection, inspiration, advice, opportunities and mentors.
Networking is powerful in many different ways. Not only entrepreneurs will feel inspired and motivated after attending specific events or meet ups, but also many exceptional opportunities can occur if they impress potential investors or business partners. Do not forget to be yourself and present your company the way you want other people to see it in order to create honest fundamentals for one potential business relationship.
Approach the networking as any other part of your business. Create a plan with specific goals that you need to follow. Know when, where and why you are going to an event, what your goals are and what do you want to achieve with your attendance to this particular meet up. As an entrepreneur your time is very important and you must have clear vision of what you are going to spend it on. Cautiously select your options and choose the one that will bring the most advantages to your business. It is widely known that connections come as a result of other connections and as usual the hardest part of the whole network-building process is the start.
In order to impersonate your business and yourself it is not enough just to be present, you need to be active, memorable, to provide value to the others with your presence and to make them want to stay in touch with you. Be ready to impress, to be remembered and desirable for future business relations.
Once you meet the people you wanted to establish relationship with keep this connection going after the event. Stay in touch and manage to continue the actual communication which will be foundation for your strong relationship and network.
Do not underestimate the power of local networking and attend networking events and meet ups around you. Knowing the local community has great advantage and you never know where the next big chance or inspiration will come from.
In the era of communication, it is unnatural to limit yourself by staying solely local, even if your business is devoted to the local community. Attending international meetings and reaching out to people from around the world will expand your vision and improve your business approach. Meeting other entrepreneurs, angel investors, bloggers and all other business enthusiasts will inspire you to reach for your personal improvement.
It doesn’t matter which part of the world you come from, if you share the spirit of entrepreneurship you are most likely to be very welcome to attend different network events. Knowing your business and goals you have various opportunities to attend different events, by choosing from casual groups to highly professional associations. Never forget that successful, strong connections are built when your tools meet your right interlocutor. Pick your approaches according to the type of event you are attending. Choosing a casual behavior can be just fine for local network events, but joining and being part of specific association is difficult task and you need to put more effort to it.
Online networking for business is a great way to use the power of the internet. While you need to list your attendance to different events far ahead in the upcoming schedules, you have the opportunity to stay connected and build strong network online. Your business is unique, so be sure that you are able to present your uniqueness online as good as offline.
Article by: Silvia Pavlova / startupist.com