Why networking is important?
In this blog article, we will discuss why networking is important. This month we organized a networking event that provided young entrepreneurs to connect with each other. Additionally, speakers from Scrumble and MamaLoes shared their unique tips for starting a business. The friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere created by participants and speakers highlighted the importance of networking once again.
Your Network is Your Networth
We are aware that sometimes you may feel lonely as a young entrepreneur. Or you have all these valuable ideas but you don’t know how to start your business. These two reasons might be the main points of why networking is important. Networking is not about shaking hands and exchanging business cards. Or waiting for someone to connect with us after a superficial business meeting. As it’s mentioned in Your Network Is Your Networth, connecting and creating a sincere relationship is the key. Networking can bring you greater success, happiness, and valuable wealth. That’s why networking is important!
Nevertheless, there are some networking basics to improve your skills communication. Firstly, you need to find your passions and improve them. Knowing yourself first is the starting point of creating your network. As young entrepreneurs, we are excited to share our ideas and processes. Yet, listening is more important than talking to create better skills of communication. Effective networking is about exchanging ideas and experiences. Indeed, you must ”give, give, and get”. Giving it’s not just about providing a business service or help. Instead, this networking basic relies on being present, giving your time, and creating friendships. Empathy, clarity, responsiveness and, confidence are other top skills for communication. Clearly, being surrounded by people who you feel yourself and inspire you will influence your business.
Expand your boundaries
Furthermore, you must expand your network by branching outside your industry. Meeting people from other industries will help you to think outside of your ”zone”. Thus, these people will positively influence your business in the long term. They may be your future customers or brand ambassadors. Or even they may provide you with other valuable networks. Yet, just having their feedbacks is already a plus. Indeed, you will need tips for starting a business. So that, any business’s personal experience can be a worthy story.
Networking is trusting
Certainly, networking is a process of trust. As we mentioned before, you must give before you get. An entrepreneur must invest in his / her relationships. For example, you can connect the person with someone valuable for their business. Providing them with a new connection can influence you in three ways. Firstly, the connection will be grateful and remember you. Secondly, the second connection will be grateful that you think of them. Lastly, both will remember you as their connector.
Personalize your relationships
Another tip for communication and networking is personalization. We use personalization marketing by narrowing it down to consumers’ interests to attract their attention. Talking about general things is insufficient. You must show your interest in their business. Thus, develop knowledge about their interest and industry. You start by exchanging stories about your personal lives. Then, look at your connection’s task at their company. Finally, talk about each other’s work history. Hence, this approach will lead to a worthy friendship.
Most people suck at selling!
In fact, the most effective networking tip is that it’s not the same as selling. Some people confuse networking and selling. That’s why most people suck at selling. You shouldn’t focus on selling and approaching people as your customers. Networking is about relationship building rather than consumer chasing. So that, while you attend business events you shouldn’t go by the purpose of selling your idea or product.
As we mentioned before, you can expand your network by attending to entrepreneurship events. Clearly, you can create your network by using online tools like LinkedIn. However, in-person communication is more effective and sincere. During our last event about tips for starting a business, we all gained experience in networking. Speakers shared their effective tips for startups with the success-driven young entrepreneurs. Hereby are some startup tips from our networking event:
- Business is not just about making money, it’s also about making people happy.
- Entrepreneurship is a 7/24 mindset.
- Lazy minds create innovative solutions.
- Start with a niche, conquer the niche, and then grow broader.
- Failing during the early stage is good. Since you grow stronger for later stages.
To conclude, in this article we discussed why networking is important. You must create and develop a network to have more opportunities and solutions for your business. Participating in events where you may meet people with similar interests is a great opportunity to expand your network. Join our community, if you are a young entrepreneur looking for mentorship and connection. Also, stay tuned for further events!