You run your business every day, and that means you know what makes it tick. You understand that to do business at all, you need to connect with the right people. After all, businesses are run by people for people--they aren't run by machines. If you want to make your sales sing, you have to start networking with the right people and with the right materials.
Networking is not always the easiest part of running a business, but it is one of the most important. If you can't network with your customers, retailers, industry pros and sales members, pretty soon you will find yourself on an island, and that's not good for the bottom line. Here are a few simple tips to start your
business network right.
Make it Memorable
All your efforts go for naught if people forget about you the moment you walk away--and that's what happens most of the time. Professionals and business owners shake a lot of hands and see plenty of clients every day. Unless you have vibrant, professional pieces of
marketing materials to give them, it is unlikely they will remember you. Get the best and most effective
business networking materials and make your efforts count for more.
Network While Your Work
As a
business owner, building a network doesn't have to be a chore or a process. It should be a natural part of your owner duties every day. You can make it work with a little help by starting small and building on your successes. Make an effort to network daily while working to build your business. Shake hands with and get to know your customers. Who are they and what do they do? Start to learn which professionals use your business and find out who they know. One of them could put you in contact with a great supplier or be a lead to a new profitable contract.
Simplify for More Efficient Networking
There's nothing worse than spending the time and money to go to a networking conference and getting nothing of substance from it. It's not only a waste of resources but it really puts you behind on everything else. Be smart about which networking events you go to. Choose wisely and consider which events will really give you a leg up on the competition. If the events don't give you any leads, focus more on paper or point-of-sale networking. Do what works for your business. If it means going to a monthly chamber of commerce meeting, or simply including more promotional materials in your sales bags, then do it. Networking is not the same for every business or owner.
Need help? Networking isn't easy. Stop by AlphaGraphics at our new location on
Michigan Ave. and see how we can help your business network more efficiently and effectively. We have marketing materials, business cards, print brochures, business signs and more to help you spread the word and connect with the most helpful owners and professionals in your industry.
