Net Worth of Networking

Circulate, hobnob, make contacts, meet and greet, mingle, rub elbows, schmooze...

Regardless of what you want to call it, now is the time to get out there and network!  With less than three months to go until Christmas, and the inevitable summer holiday shut-down, contacts you make now could potentially boost your business, helping you finish 2010 on a high and set up a positive start to 2011.

There are many opportunities for networking. You could start by googling conferences and events relevant to your business in your area. Or join professional networks, such as Working Womens’ Network, started up by our very own Angela Raspass.  Never overlook private parties either. You may be standing beside your next high-value customer as you reach for the chip bowl!

The objective of networking is to connect with people and make new business relationships (not to try and do a hard sell!). The benefits can be endless. Discover hidden opportunities that can set your business apart from the competition. Expand your knowledge, find new leads, gain information, improve your reputation and get support. With all these benefits and more, why wouldn’t you want to network?

Feeling shy? Don’t worry, most people do at first and the more you network the easier it gets. Have an opening line ready, start small and just aim to speak to one or two people at first. As you show yourself you can do it, you gain self-esteem and feel more comfortable chatting to more people. In any case, developing relationships moves at a fairly slow pace, as you need time to build up trust, so don’t pressure yourself to race around and speak to numerous people at an event.

So get out there and network between now and Christmas. Even if you attend just one or two events you’ll potentially make fantastic contacts for your business and may even find you have fun doing it!