Networking for people who don’t like networking
At Get Ahead, we know there are many benefits of networking. A strong understanding of networking is key for anyone who wants to buy a Get Ahead franchise. We also love supporting our clients with everything from business cards to confidence so they can get themselves out there.
But we know that not everyone likes networking. Some people say it doesn’t work. Others feel it’s not worth the time away from their desk. And some people find the social side difficult.
If you know you should be networking but you can’t bring yourself to go, this blog is for you. We’ll share our top tips and mindsets to help you break down whatever barrier stands between you and networking.
- Do your homework
Think about what kind of networking group would work for you. Would you like a drop-in, like a Get Connected event, or something more structured? Would you like membership to make sure you go every month, or would you like more flexibility? Breakfast events? Daytime? Evening? Not all networking events are the same.
See what’s available in your area and sign up for the one that meets your criteria.
- Go with a business friend
If walking into a room full of strangers fills you with horror, take a friend with you. Go with a friend who also runs a business, or someone you know professionally and get on well with. Just remember to talk to other people once you’ve found your feet!
- Set expectations
You probably won’t leave your first networking event with ten new clients, or even one! But that doesn’t mean that networking doesn’t work. You might get a call a few days later, or pick up some work at the next event because people have had a chance to think about it.
Don’t underestimate the value of just turning up – every time you say your business name, you reinforce your brand.
- Set goals
Set yourself networking goals, like finding someone who could give you an introduction in another relevant industry. Networking isn’t just about you finding your next client – maybe you’re looking for an accountant to get your books in order, or another service to help your business level up.
If you’re a start-up, networking means that you’ve told people about your business who have never heard of it before. You could make it your goal to tell three people about your business.
Set yourself a goal – see if your networking becomes more focused.
- Keep going!
It’s easy to think that networking doesn’t work if you’ve only been to one event. But – trust us – keep going. The more people get used to seeing your face over coffee on a Wednesday morning, the more they’ll learn to like and trust you. It’s these deeper connections that make our network work.
Benefits of networking
At Get Ahead, we believe in the benefits of networking. We’re here to help you with networking too and we hope you’ll come along to your local Get Connected event. And if you’re not ready to network yet, we can help you with your brand and marketing collateral, so you can talk about your business with confidence. We can even introduce you to business coaches from our own network.
See you at networking soon!
