What to do and what to avoid when meeting people and building relationships
Having a network of people who can offer opportunities, assistance and advice is an incredibly valuable resource for your business. This is especially true if you are opening a new business or expanding a business to a new city or country. Networking is a tried and tested way to meet such people and build relationships, but there are pitfalls. Learn some important do’s and don’ts that will help as you look to grow your professional network.
DO be engaging
Have an elevator pitch ready when someone asks about your business, but don’t be a conversation hog. You are keen to impress but make sure to take the time to ask questions and to listen too.
DO follow up
You’ve made a great connection — what’s next? Get in touch soon to consolidate the relationship. Jot down details from your conversation on their business card, then when you follow up with a phone call or email you can show how well you listened. Your new connection will be impressed, and this is a great way to foster trust from the start.
DON’T give out too many cards
Giving your business card indiscriminately to everyone you meet is a bad idea. It suggests you aren’t taking time to get to know if the person is a good fit for your network, and it might suggest that you take a slapdash approach to business in general.
DON’T only talk to people you know
Meeting new people is hard, but try to push yourself out of your comfort zone. At networking events, set yourself a challenge to talk to everyone within a 3ft radius. The more you do it, the easier it’ll become!
Follow these tips and you’ll develop a great network of people in no time. If you need more help, the team at ReachOut Business Solutions is here. We have years of experience connecting people and businesses — contact us today to see how we can help your business grow.
