Networking for a Successful Business

By Susan Regier

Networking groups are a great way to build your business, make new friends, and gain support. Join groups that your prospects would attend or that have similar business interests to yours. By joining groups with your direct and indirect competitors, you can form strategic alliances. Two people may be providing the same service but target different markets; e.g., two writers may be vying for the business market, however, one may prefer promotional writing while the other favours technical writing.

Some people say that they joined a networking group but it did nothing for them – they received no leads or referrals. But it’s not enough to join a networking group – you must get involved. Volunteer your time on a committee, become an executive member, and attend gatherings regularly. By becoming known to the group, you’ll reap the rewards.

When meeting someone for the first time, be prepared. You have thirty seconds or less to get your message across before losing their attention. Don’t get into the nitty-gritty of your work unless asked, but a quick and informative response to “what do you do” can lead you to new business opportunities. Thirty seconds is the attention span of the human race, so if you want your listener to give up other thoughts and pay attention to you, do it quickly.

And don't forget to listen. At times, we tend to follow our own thoughts and put words into other people's mouths. When this happens, you may miss an important opportunity.

Before joining, attend meetings with several groups to find the right fit. Networking is an effective way to build a successful business.

Susan Regier is the publisher/editor of Networking Today and owner of Vantage One Writing, a professional writing service for businesses. (519) 471-8726 E-mail: regiers@vantageone.ca Web site: www.vantageone.ca Published in Networking Today, May/June 1999.