Ivelisse McBride It is no secret that if you want to “win” in business, you will have to get acquainted with the words NETWORKING AND MARKETING. Here’s another little secret: having an online business does not exclude you from interacting with other humans. I know!
I may be the bearer of bad news with that one!
Luckily, this girl knows a thing or two about networking, and it may not be as dreadful as you may be thinking. Networking can be as fun as a wine tasting, coffee chat, or something more formal like a Chamber of Commerce meeting. Simply speaking to someone about your business who can potentially become a customer or a referral partner means you are already networking!
Let’s start with the why. Why is networking so powerful?
It strengthens your message.
As a business owner, you have an idea of what you want your business to look like to others. You most likely have some key points you want people to know about you and your business, like what your passions are or what does your business have to offer. If you are like me, you probably have an excellent script written up for what you want to tell people about your business when the time arises. So here is what will happen if you don’t practice that script: you will read it a couple of times, think you have it down, and someone will unexpectedly ask you about your business in which time you will draw a blank and not even remember the name of your business. Yes, that has happened to me!
The more you talk to people, the more you live test this script. The first couple of times will be awkward, and that is ok. Just be genuine and let everyone know that you are brand new at this networking thing, and they will all get it! In time, you will become more and more confident with talking about your business, and people will indeed be impressed. The time will come where you will be able to recite all the critical details of your business just as quickly as you recite your name and address.
You create a trust factor.
This is a big one for me.
With things being so automated, it is hard to know who is reputable and who is a scam. I have a hard time doing business with someone I have not met face to face. That is a client out the window for companies who automate everything. Networking lets potential clients and referral partners know that you are real, and they can trust what you are selling. It’s like hitting that “I’m not a robot!” button but in a much better way.
This also shows others that what you say in writing is also who you are in person. For instance, McBride Virtual Assistant prides itself in treating everyone like they are family. You can be quirky and down-to-earth with family. That is what I present when networking. Yes, I am also shy and take some time to open to new people, but I try to push through that to show them the real me—just a simple quirky gal with a love for people and a great listening ear.
You understand your audience better.
It is easy to get hyper-focused on something and completely miss your actual client’s needs as a business owner. This is a great way to get out of your head. Hearing your clients’ needs is a great way to bring new ideas to the drawing board. You can find new and unique inspiration by interacting with other business owners.
Another plus about networking with other business owners, even if they will not likely become a customer/client, is that you can get ideas for running your business in general.
Maybe you overhear a conversation about a new CRM software that everyone is now using, but you have never heard of it before. That is the perfect opportunity to intersect yourself in the conversation and learn about a software that can make running your business a lot easier. Staying on top of things not just in your field but within business, in general, can help you level up.
With all this information, you are probably ready to know who. Who do I network with?
First, you need to make a list and figure out who you want to connect with. The key to networking is to be intentional. Yes, it would help if you talked to everyone who will listen about your business but spending your time speaking to someone who will never be a client or referral partner is a waste compared to speaking with someone who will bring in a cash flow. Business friends are great to have, but friends are just that, friends. You want to focus on making a significant impact with the least amount of effort. Write down people that would benefit from your services or products, businesses that may refer clients to your business, and think of people you would like to connect with to help you grow. Those are the ones you are going to want to reach first. Once you have a target for your networking, you can start with whatever is most comfortable.
Are you wondering where to start?
Start by reaching out to your local Chamber of Commerce. They usually have monthly meetings that allow you to network with LOCAL businesses, which is always good. In addition, some companies are more inclined to work with a fellow local business than anyone out of the area.
Join Facebook groups. I always get a mix of responses whenever I say this, but Facebook groups are vastly underrated for networking. Join groups that have to do with your business and groups where some of the people in your “connect” list will hang out. Start interacting and building connections virtually!
Send out email blasts. Here is a tricky one! Standard networking advice would be to create a generic email and blast it to as many emails as you can find. However, this is a BIG no-no for me because you lose that personal touch.
Instead, what I do is intentionally search for businesses and individuals that I want to connect with.
Add all their information to a spreadsheet, including business name, address, phone number, email address, and website information. You can email them as you go, or you can get the information of about ten individuals before sending emails. I like to get a list together first and then work my way down. Then, email them with a personalized email introducing yourself and why you would like to connect. Make sure to check out How To Effectively Write “Cold” Marketing Emails for great tips and examples on how to write an impactful email.
I get their address to send them a gift later if we do end up building a relationship or sending any marketing items.
Let’s get started!
Here is a wealth of information to get you started. Thanks to COVID, we learned that networking methods can change drastically, but one thing will always stay the same, talking about your business is the best way to get your name out there and create leads. If you feel uncomfortable doing networking and want to focus instead on other aspects of your business, hire a virtual assistant to do it for you! McBride Virtual Assistant will happily share your message for you. If you want to network but still have questions, feel free to reach out! Helping business owners succeed is our primary passion, and we will gladly schedule a FREE consultation to answer some of your questions.
