Networking With Ease For Small Business Start-Ups

By Corey Graham 2.0

Networking is a key ingredient to the success of any small business start up. It’s important for the persons who are involved in the new business to be in tune with what is happening in their market or industry.  

The easiest way to network, I have observed is to have your name proceed you. It’s always easier to meet new people when they already have the appetite to meet you or they are at least curious about you. It’s pretty much like they have given you a stage to perform. They have given you their attention and they are expecting for you to wow them.  

Your name should always precede you! Yes, yes I can hear some of you out there thinking that this advice is not for you. Is this the big idea? Some are saying with a bit of attitude. I need to get known first? Or you might be saying I don't need to be any celebrity with journalists following me around and people staring at me wherever I go.  

These are all valid arguments but I am going to challenge you that the reality is that.  

Human's like humans not organizations.  

Sometimes we forget in our approach that people like to interact other people. As we build up our organizations brand and spend hours focusing on how to create a great customer experience with our product of service. We don't spend as much time developing our personal brands and professional personalities.  

I don't mean for you to be walking on a red carpet in designer wear with hundreds of photographers and journalists trying to get close to you.  

So we have established that you don't want to be known by everyone out there or you don't want to be a household name. So we are getting somewhere now. Networking is like anything else in life, you need to set a clear aim or vision for what you want to accomplish. 

Who do you want to network with?  Do you want to grow your contacts in a specific area? Do you want to get to a particular individual? Invited to a special group?

Once you have been able to create this clear picture of what you want to get you might realize that your aim might centre around some of the following.  Meeting potential clients, suppliers, freelancers, competitors, policy makers and other players in your industry right? Basically you would like your name to be an "office name" with these people.  

When they are making, big decisions and having big discussion you want to be present right? You help chart the course forward and be aware of the challenges in your industry right? 

Quick Tips on Networking

You got to look a networking like a continuous activity. Its about following up with the people you meet.  
 

Be approachable

This is a simple one. Are you approachable as opposed to accessible. You might want to double check that you are making it easy for the people to approach you. They are simple things that make the world of difference - moving around at the cocktail party - invite/encouraging other persons to contact you. Now of course to get to this point, you might need to make sure you are present at the events the people you want to meet are attending. As a small business start up its critical that you are present at these gatherings to be up to date with your market and industry. 

Say something profound 

Give intelligent and smart input at any appropriate forums - meetings, seminars etc. When the time comes be prepared to speak. This might seem like an obvious point, but it is something that is often overlooked. You might have a room full of quiet people and after you speak, you might be a little disappointed by the response. The interesting thing is that that comment might get that person you really wanted to me coming up to you to find out more about you.  

Be in the media

Where possible make yourself available to speak with the media. In a Web 2.0 world this might also take the form of taking the time to write comments on interesting articles you might read online / to participate in online discussions. 

Follow up

This is the most important thing to networking. You have got to work the network. It’s important that you follow up with those persons you meet at cocktail events. 

All things considered networking is easiest when you are doing it consistently. When you are doing your homework by making sure to follow up with those you find interesting and remaining accessible. Networking, meeting new people becomes automatic. It can make the world of difference in your small business start ups.

Corey Graham 2.0