5 STEPS TO NETWORKING SUCCESS
As a creative entrepreneur, it can be both a blessing and a curse that you work for yourself. On one hand you get to call all the shots and make the final decisions, but on the other hand, you have to figure out everything as you go along. You may be tempted to try and do it all by yourself, but the truth is that even the most knowledgeable and experienced business owners need some outside help. This is where your network comes in.
5 STEPS TO NETWORKING SUCCESS
When it comes to business, that old adage of ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ is so true. No matter how many masters degrees or years of experience you have, at some point you’re going to need to rely on other people for exposure and partnerships. That’s why it is so important to curate and cultivate relationships with people who can help your business grow.
Unless you’ve been living the hermit life up until now, you probably already have a solid network of people around you. This could include friends and family, former classmates and colleagues, Facebook groups, LinkedIn connections and other people in your social media communities. And all of those people are possibly connected to other people who could help you out at some point along your journey.
The key to networking is not just to collect contact info or Facebook likes, but to identify people you think you could work with, reach out to them, and then build a relationship where both parties are mutually benefitting from each other’s ideas, skills and services.
1. Outline Your Goals
Before you start reaching out, you need to have a very clear idea of what it is you want to accomplish. Where do you want to be in six months or a year from now and how do you aim to get there? What actions can you take on your own to get where you want to be, and what areas do you need help in? And finally, what kind of people do you want in your network and why? It also pays to think about not only how others can help you, but how you can use your skills to help others. That way when you do start reaching reach out to people, you can clearly explain your vision and give others an incentive to work with you.
2. Do Your Research
The best place to start when trying to expand your network is with the people you already know. Take a look at the people in your existing network and think about whether you could potentially work with any of them. They may not be in the same field as you, but you still might be able to collaborate on something. If not, perhaps there are people in your network who have connections to other people you would like to work with. LinkedIn is a great place to research connections, and even a quick Facebook search can give you some solid leads on contacts.
3. Reach Out and Keep it Real
Asking for help can be intimidating; after all, there is always the chance of rejection. However, nine times out of ten people are happy to lend a hand, especially if they feel that the person asking for help is being sincere and considerate of their time and energy. People also tend to be more amenable to helping others if they feel like they are also getting something in return. Before getting in touch with a new contact, think about what you can bring to the table. Is it a new ideas? Exposure for their business? Or maybe you can’t offer them anything now except for your heartfelt appreciation. Either way, remember to keep it light, polite and straight to the point.
4. Set a Good Foundation
Just like in any relationship, you want to make sure that you get off on the right foot with your new associate. First of all, keep an open and positive attitude. Let the other person know that they’ve got your focus and that you are actually listening to and understanding where they are coming from. Follow through on your promises, and show the other person that you are worthy of their trust. Finally, little signs of appreciation go a long way like a hand-written thank-you card, an offer of a follow-up coffee, or a simple email to say how much you enjoyed meeting them and valued their input.
5. It’s All About Maintenance
Once you have established a business relationship, it is important to keep the lines of communication open After all, you never know when somebody may be able to open new doors for you or pass a referral your way. Some ways you can establish and maintain rapport include checking in with a friendly email or text, passing along information that you think the other person would find useful, sending business referrals their way, or extending an invitation to a networking event or a one-on-one meet up.
 
