Day: February 8, 2021

Networking is not about collecting business cards; it’s about building relationships for mutual growth. The potential advantages of networking for your business are directly proportional to how many contacts you have. Consider this: you have ten contacts in your professional network. Each of those contacts has ten more contacts of their own. Therefore, you have direct access to ten potential opportunities and indirect access to a hundred. Imagine what could happen if you built a larger professional network.

So, how can you build and nurture your professional network for the growth of your consulting business? Glad you asked. Here are some easy tips for you to get started.

Stay in touch with ex-colleagues

Your ex-colleagues already have something in common with you by having worked at the same place. Tell them that you are starting your own consulting business and explain your services to them. Ask them what their plans are, too. Being genuinely interested in other people is the one relationship-building tip that will change your networking game.

If you left your prior job on a bad note, your boss may not be open to staying in touch. However, even if there is just one co-worker you can stay in touch with, it will yield returns somewhere down the line.

Join online networks

Online networks on social media like LinkedIn and Facebook will give you access to hundreds of other people who can relate to your journey. As a small consulting business owner, you can look for groups of other small business owners. You will find solace in connecting with people who face a lot of the same struggles as you do.

LinkedIn is the go-to platform for networking and takes great pains to keep the platform completely professional. LinkedIn groups will help you build connections and contacts. It can lead to many business opportunities. Facebook is more casual, but you will still find lots of online communities with the same interests.

Step outside and network, too

The more people you can make a face-to-face connection with, the more likely your chances of scoring a business opportunity. Attend business networking events and have your elevator pitch ready. It’s a good idea to have a template of how you will introduce yourself ready. Practice this in the mirror a couple of times and you will be ready. You will be introducing yourself to hundreds of people at these events. Keep some visiting cards ready as well.

It’s not all about you, though. As you meet people, be vigilant about remembering their names and accepting their business cards. After the event is over, go over the people you have met, and get to work adding them to your LinkedIn. It will really hit home and make you memorable if you send personalized notes a few days later to your new contacts. Something simple like it was nice to meet them and interesting to hear what they are doing.

Work out of a co-working space

If you’ve got the budget, work out …