We’ve all heard the story of how one person just happened to be talking to another person with the skills and the resources they needed, creating the perfect connection that benefited both parties.
This is the power of networking for small businesses.
But when you run a small business, it may seem difficult to begin networking. Below are some ways you can begin to network to find out just how far your resources reach.
Head to the Internet Forums
If there was ever a group of people that needed to connect with each other, it’s small business owners. Go online to find small business forums and you will be amazed by the sheer number of places you can visit, find articles, and communicate with other business owners.
By simply talking about your needs and how you can help others, you might be able to find someone who is looking for someone exactly like you – and then they can return the favor by helping you meet someone that you might be able to use for your business needs as well.
Use the online yellow pages, or visit your town’s website to see if there are any small business forums or groups that meet either online or off. Contacting your local Chamber of Commerce can also help when you are looking for online forums or small business groups.
Go to Trade Shows and Conferences
When you are entering an already popular business field, you will want to see what the rest of the industry is up to as well. This means looking for trade shows and conferences that specialize in your market.
You will find vendors that you can use for your ordering, plus you will see what other competitors are doing – and what they are not doing.
By taking some time to look around at these kinds of conventions, you can get new ideas for your business, plus you will interact with hundreds of other people just like you who might be able to help you with specific concerns.
Again, contact your local Chamber of Commerce to find out when business trade shows are scheduled. Joining national organizations that support your business may also hold trade shows and conferences.
Start your Own Networking Group
Of course, if you like to lead others, you might want to start up your own networking group. Post an advertisement in your local newspaper, on your website, or find a local online publication to see if others are interested.
Then set up a meeting time. Those interested don’t have to be in the same field as you because you might all be able to offer new things to each other – including promotional assistance and other networking options. Try to meet once or twice a month to talk about business concerns you have and about things you may need help planning.
Networking isn’t just for big businesses with thousands of employees and clients. You need to be able to talk with others as often as possible about your everyday concerns. Often, you will be able to gather resources that will help you sidestep common problems as well as help others with questions they haven’t been able to answer on their own.
