Small business networking events can help you find existing opportunities that may not be available through other marketing channels. Taking a consistent and professional approach to networking as part of a long term strategy can help you find out about:
- What other businesses can do for you.
- What opportunities exist to sell your products/services.
- What your competitors are doing.
Many business owners who are new to networking make the mistake of trying to sell to everyone they meet. No-one likes a pushy sales person. If you go to small business networking events with the mindset that you need to sell there and then you are likely to fail.
Network events – insights
- The purpose is to leave an impression not to make a sale.
- The people you meet are likely to know someone who can benefit can your products/services.
- The aim to to build long term relationships. Not to make a quick sale.
- Listen to your target market, listen to their needs, then fit your solutions to their business requirements.
Small business networking events can be free of paid for so even startup companies with a tighter budget can attend. That’s not to say that some of the paid for events aren’t worthwhile either.
Enterprise Network events cover the following areas:
- Manufacturing Network
- Finance & Professional Services
- Technology in Manufacturing
- Creative & Digital Industries
- Women in Business
- Innovation
Enterprise coaches and enterprise hubs also benefit early stage businesses. Growing a business in a recession can be tough but we’re all in the same boat to get over to a small business networking event and talk to other business owners.
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#1 by JalemM on October 1st, 2009
#2 by nu_girlie on October 1st, 2009
You may want to check with your local chamber of commerce. Also, a nationwide small business networking group is http://www.bni.com.
#3 by guzen on October 1st, 2009
Funny. I now understand this. As the person who established classroom by classroom subnets, connected to hubs that were connected to the classroom router, I never knew what the subnet masked did. Thank you.
#4 by Ale on October 1st, 2009
I'm also uncomfortable in the one-on-one, "cocktail-party" type of setting. Three tricks I've used are (1) Ask questions. People love to talk about themselves or their jobs, and once ou get them started, you just need to smile politely and listen; (2) Read the front page of the newspaper and the front page of the sports section – great conversation starters and even if you don't know that the Detroit Tigers play baseball, you can parrot the headline you read about how their star pitcher's out with a shoulder injury. Finally (3) work out an "elevator pitch" – a 60 seconds or less articulate summary of what you do that you can rattle off when the opportunity presents itself.
Hope this helps!
#5 by MrsRiesling on October 3rd, 2009
The best way to do that is just to get out there and meet them! Go meet with different caters, different djs. Knowing your Venues will make a big difference to your overall quality as a planner. You should know all the venues in your city, and have visted each one in person. You can search all of these types of vendors on the internet or by your local phone book. Start up a facebook page, that is just dedicated to your business. Good luck!
#6 by Kathy S on October 3rd, 2009
Offer 1 hour of your services free.
Yes. A few cheapskates will "use" you.
But serious business people will quickly hire you.
I am now employing a temp worker. She started
on a 3-day project. She's now been with us 9 months!
Employers will latch on to strong workers very quickly.
I do.
Good luck!
#7 by isa on October 3rd, 2009
I don't think you're ready to do business with anyone if you can't even write a simple letter.
#8 by Birdie W on October 4th, 2009
Dear person,
I was very pleased to meet you at (name of event and date) i am very impressed with (Name of company and something about what it does) I believe it to be our mutual best interest to work together (briefly state what you can do for their business) I can provide this service at a very reasonable cost. I would love the opportunity to meet with you and discuss this in detail. I have included my business card for your convenience,
sincerely;
Me