When you start your own business, you quickly realize that the people around you can help you grow your brand. Your loyal customers are usually those who trust and appreciate you.
Your professional network therefore plays a very important role from the launch of your business. Ultimately, in addition to knowing very well what you have to do, it is also very important to know the right people who can help you advance in your career.
Additionally, the people around you will contribute to your business in many ways. For example, you will meet people who will help you build your brand through their feedback. There will also be people who will open new doors for you.
Therefore, one of your top priorities should be to always expand your freelance network. So today I’m going to explain how to grow your business through networking:
1. Be more visible
You need to let people know what you do and how to reach you. So, use all the communication tools you know. Here are some of our best suggestions:
- Join a networking group like Feedcoyote (free for freelancers), INB (paid and expensive), or your local chamber of commerce.
- Update your social accounts to account for the searches potential clients might do when looking for freelancers to join their network.
- Add connections on Linkedin, Facebook and X. When you interact with someone via email, add them on social media to stay in touch.
- Update your website So when customers want to know more, you’re good to go.
After all, it’s not what you know that makes the difference, but who you interact with.
This is how you will stay on the radar of many people who will come back to you one day and recommend you to potential clients.
2. Attend networking events
It doesn’t matter whether it’s an online or offline event, as long as it involves networking. Additionally, all industries have, at some point, a national and international conference where you will have excellent networking opportunities.
You can also become a member of local organizations where you will meet other business owners like you who are open to sharing their stories.
On the other hand, you will also find many online networking events. Consider LinkedIn or Twitter where you can meet many professionals.
For example, you can join a Twitter chat where you can meet people from all over the world who might give you a brilliant idea that can change your business forever.
3. Expand your network outside of your industry groups
People in your industry can be extremely helpful when you want to share ideas. However, you should keep in mind that they are also your competitors. So, they will not buy your products or order your services.
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You can find new clients in groups that bring together people from different industries.
Also, don’t delegate the networking task to another employee. There is no one more passionate about your business than you. If you want to convince new customers, use your enthusiasm and success is guaranteed.
Plan your networking activities carefully for the entire year to keep travel costs under control.
4. Always give before asking for something
Before asking a favor from someone in your networking group, it’s always best to give something up front. It will be difficult to receive help from someone you have never helped before.
Think about the law of reciprocity. You receive what you give. So if you have already helped people in your network, you will likely receive their help when you need it.
5. Don’t go overboard when asking for advice
It’s perfectly fine to ask for advice. But when you go overboard and constantly ask for free advice, you risk receiving a negative response.
You may also be rejected if your group members feel like you are trying to promote your services instead of learning something from your discussions. As long as you don’t have hidden motives, you will receive the help you need.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
If you don’t ask questions, how do you know what the best thing to do is? If you are shy and afraid to ask questions, you will not be able to expand your knowledge and grow your business.
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Do you need a meeting or introduction to someone who has the right answers? Ask people in your network. Do you need feedback or advice on a crucial subject for your business? Ask it and choose the best answer for your case.
7. Listen to the people around you
People like to talk about themselves and their successes. When you want to expand your network, you not only need to talk about yourself, but you also need to be a good listener.
Let people showcase their business and their recipe for success. You will find that you will build an amazing relationship with the people you listened to. After all, how can you learn about other people’s struggles and challenges if you don’t listen to them?
8. Focus on long-term relationships
It’s very easy to exchange business cards when attending an event. But that doesn’t mean you’ve actually established a professional network.
If you want to develop more business deals, you need to focus on building long-term relationships with the people you meet. You should put all your efforts into creating a win-win collaboration with everyone in your networking groups.
9. Don’t forget to follow up
If you want to build long-term relationships with your connections, you need to start by following up. It doesn’t matter if you come home from an event with lots of business cards if you don’t do anything with them.
If you’re not sure what a follow-up message should look like, you can start by thanking the person for the great meeting you had and sending them a brief introduction to your company.
If you promised to do something, you must keep your word. This is how you show the other person that you are a professional.
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10. Getting rejected isn’t the end of the world
Rejection should not be seen as a failure, but as motivation to wake up the next day more ambitious than before. Not everyone you meet will respond to your emails and calls.
Not everyone will be willing to share their story and give you advice. But it’s always better to be rejected than not to try at all, right?
The CEO of PickWriters said in a recent interview: “I run one of the largest translation companies, so I need to constantly grow my network and consolidate my business. How do we do it?
I participate in almost all events organized for my sector. I track all the connections I make at events and try to learn something from every discussion I have.
In conclusion, networking is essential when you want to grow your business. The people you meet will not only help you grow your business, but also improve it. Therefore, you can gain when you decide to focus on networking.
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