This is part 2 of my series on networking. Read Using Networking To Advance Your Business.
Here are some straight-up reasons why you should network:
1. It’ll elevate you and promote your personal brand.
Yesterday, I wrote about how I had witnessed tremendous success through networking. By associating myself with that organization for women in technology and going even further to become entrenched in its inner workings, I was able to establish myself not only as someone who knew things, but also as someone people needed to know. During that time, I was able to build a network of people with no problem at all.
Call it “expertise”, “social proof”, “established authority” or “credentialed”. The more you have it – or more importantly, the more people think you have it – the further ahead you’ll be.
Take today: I was surfing around and came across the profile of an entrepreneur with an impressive background. She had been running her own business for 9 years and was now the head of a local chapter of a major networking organization. I scanned through her Twitter profile and discovered that she blogged with 5 other CEO bloggers about all things business. All the people on that site were shown in very professional power suits. The whole package made me believe that she was an expert internet marketer. Of course I know almost nothing about her and yet, based upon her affiliations with people, I believed her expertise to be real.
2. It will build your confidence.
Ironically, I have been a bit secretive with my professional associates since I am undecided about whether or not to take a job when I move to Vancouver and think that my business ventures might hamper my search since some potential employers might think that my focus would be divided or I might not be committed. So I’ve been forced to find contacts via the Internet. While I have been using some message boards like Mompreneurs Online and Mompreneurs Cafe, Twitter has been the life-force of my business network. Through Twitter, I’ve met almost all my 5 Questions subjects and am able to actively maintain my connections through quick tweets.
I am amazed – gobsmacked really – that I have met so many supportive women who are willing to provide free advice or refer me to people. These women were total strangers to me three months ago and remain almost invisible save for the RTs on Twitter, thoughtful emails, or out-of-the-blue blog comments. It’s their support that keeps me going and let’s me know that I’m heading in the right suggestion.
Networking raises your own confidence in yourself and your business, as well as raise other people’s confidence in you and their affiliation with you.
3. It’ll help you get customers.
Both my blog and stroller site are mom-focused and I have two main customers for my stroller site: the users who will read the content and find the site useful, and the advertisers who will help me continue to produce great content. Lucky for me, there is lots of overlap in those two audiences. I have been able to find people in my network who are willing to promote my sites and help me generate traffic and increase my pagerank, but when my stroller site is ready and building momentum, may also be interested in advertising on the site as well.
By the way, if you’re interested in getting some free advertising on my stroller site, please go to my advertising page on the Upside Guides web site.
4. It will most definitely make your business better.
Probably the most compelling reason to network is simply because it will make your business better. It will help you build out your “team” of people that will guide and support you through your business, whether it be that accountant, public relations specialist, whatever.
You will be amazed at how many people – even potential competitors – are willing to share information. In fact, it’s often “competitors” who are willing to share information because they see that the exchange is mutually beneficial. Take this example: I am doing a little consulting right now. My client needs some help launching a site for urban women in their mid-20s to early-30s. When considering what email newsletter platform to use, he suggested that we just contact someone in his network who was also the founder of a potential competitive site. Rather than struggle with research and analyzing options, we can avoid wasting time and just ask someone who has already done it before.
Everywhere I turn, I find women who whole-heartedly answer my questions and point me to the right direction. Abundance is everywhere in the universe. By reaching out to people and building your network, you will find yourself sharing and exchanging information with people who are equally as willing to support your own ventures along the way.
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