How networking can benefit your business
Active networking is vital to our career growth. Don’t be scared its not a group of dodgy sales people, if you find yourself asking how can I get my business noticed? How can i get to know the local community? or how can I expand my business? Then networking is for you.
There are lots of local networking events around your local area which can be found online some are free and others may charge a small entry fee , I’m going to mention a few in our local area of Brighouse, Halifax, Huddersfield and surrounding areas but a good starting point is always Eventbright as most networking events will be featured on there.
We believe strongly in networking events for new business or even more established businesses and have attended and are still continuing to attend local events.
Networking is essential in business growth building a good reputation and getting to know the local community and businesses.
How can networking help me?
Your network includes everyone from friends and family to business connections and work colleagues, your social network and members of groups which you belong to.
Some recommended networking events in the local area we suggest if you would like to get stuck in are Perfect people networking group, which hold various weekly events around Huddersfield, Cleckheaton, Sowerby Bridge and Wakefield. There is a small fee for attending.Brighouse Link which runs weekly on a Thursday held by Sleigh and Story accountants this event is also free. No nonsense networking which is a free monthly networking event at Town Hall Dental, meeting room in Brighouse, Jelly Networking and The last Friday Club which is run on the same day by Ad:venture program (which we are a member of) set up by Calderdale council and Ramsdens Solicitors and held at the piece hall and Leeds Beckett University at The Calderdale Business centre in Halifax, both of these events are free. My Network Huddersfield which is a free event runs on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at the Media Centre in Huddersfield.
Another useful organisation who are involved in networking events to check out are the British Chambers of Commerce who have local chambers all over the country our district’s is the Mid Chamber of Commerce and well worth a look into joining.
Increased business & referrals
Probably the most obvious benefit and the reason most business owners participate in networking events is referrals and increased business, the good news is that referrals that you get through networking are usually high quality which you can follow up and turn into future clients.
Leads generated from networking events have a higher quality than other forms of marketing, so what have you got to lose?
Meeting with highly motivated individuals as yourself and getting to know each other and local businesses will deliver new opportunities. Lots of new opportunities will arise from networking, maybe you might get involved in a joint venture or another local business is looking for your products or services we could go on the opportunities you could open up for yourself are endless.
Connections
Heard the saying it’s not what you know or who you know? This is without doubt true when it comes to networking, for your business to be successful you need to have a great source of relevant connections in your network that you can contact whenever needed.
Networking will provide you with a great source of connections ( and a huge collection of business cards) It opens the door to talk to highly influential people that maybe otherwise you’d have no access to and other members may already have their own connections that you can tap into.
Advice
Having like minded business to talk to can help with getting advice on all kinds of things related to your business. Tapping into more experienced advice and expertise that otherwise you wouldn’t be able to contact.
Getting to know the local community and making yourself more visible is a huge benefit, if you regularly attend business and social events that will help to get your face known. Helping to build your reputation as a trusted, reliable and supportive person and business. The better you get to know people the more chance you have of receiving referrals.
Positive influence
Friends, family and people who you hang around with and talk to influence how you think, who you are and what you do, so its important to surround yourself with uplifting, positive people who will help you grow and thrive as a business.
Increased confidence
Speaking to new people and pushing to make new connections with people that you don’t know will help build up your confidence the more often you do it. This is really important as a business owner as business growth is dependant on talking to people and clients.
Networking will really push you and help build your confidence and learn how to make conversations and lasting connections.
So now you’ve read out top 7 networking benefits, what are you waiting for??