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Business networking. It’s an essential part of any small to medium sized business owners life. Some people don’t think that they’re in the right business for networking to be effective. Perhaps they are in retail. That’s a fair point but it’s not always about who’s there, but who they know! Business networking is certainly something to be tried out, whatever line of business you’re in.

So below are some top tips on how to effectively network your business:

1: Pick local groups:

This may sound obvious, but plenty of business owners think they have such a great local presence that they can go further afield to meet other business owners. Networking is about building relationships and more importantly, keeping them. There’s always someone who doesn’t know of you and they may turn out to be your best customer.

2: Attend regularly:

As mentioned in number 1, keeping a relationship is as important as building one. Not being a regular each week will not keep you in the front of someones mind when they come to refer your particular business to a friend or colleague. Also, sometimes (and this has happened to me) a colleague may hold off on ringing you for an order because they think you’ll be at networking next week. If you don’t show, they will only look elsewhere.

3: Don’t give it the hard sell:

Be social and clear about what you do and people will come to you when they need to, regardless of how good your pitch is.

4: Listen and take notes:

Your brain can’t remember everything, so take notes of what everyone is there. This will come in really handy for future referrals.

5: Be a giver and not just a taker:

Ok the number one reason we all go networking is to get business for ourselves. But always try and recommend networking colleagues when you can, and use them too! You will only reap the rewards. People remember and comment on the business owners who don’t give anything in return for the business they have earned.

6: Work with your competition:

Some networking group allow more than one of the same type of business through the doors. Use this to your advantage. Refer customers maybe not in your locality to them, maybe you’re too busy that month to handle them efficiently. Pass them over! Alliances will made between you and a relationship built on trust will sprout. This is much better than being in constant competition with each other.

That’s it really. Most points are really just common sense, but it’s surprising how many business owners don’t follow them when networking.By Robert Glover