Debunking common networking myths
If you’re just starting out as a business owner, you’ll be thinking about next steps. How do you expand your connections? How do you attract those all-important first clients? Anyone who’s owned a long-running successful business will give you one answer: networking.
But networking can seem like a daunting task if you’ve never done it before. There are plenty of myths floating around the business world about networking and whether or not you really need it. We’re here to debunk some of the most common ones.
You don’t need to network if you’ve already got contacts
Maybe you’ve been in your industry for years and you’ve decided to go freelance, or set up your own business. If that’s the case, you’ll probably have a lot of contacts in the industry. But lots of contacts doesn’t necessarily mean lots of leads. You can’t rely on those contacts alone to get you where you need to be. You know what they say, ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket’.
Even if your current contacts do provide useful leads, you’ll be limiting your potential. Networking is about growing your connections. You can’t do that if you stay in your current bubble.
Only extroverts can network
Networking is a social activity. It’s about building relationships and making connections. That’s why a lot of people think only extroverts can network well. But, introverts can be just as good at this as extroverts, if not better.
It’s all about playing to your strengths. You might not be the loudest person in the room, but you’re a good listener. You take things in, understand what people want and need from their own networking. You can then use that information to connect with people on a deeper level.
Networking is self-serving and pushy
This myth is often at the top of the list. Sometimes people view networking as a somewhat ‘slimy’ sales opportunity. They might imagine business owners trying to sell themselves or their product in any way they can. But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
In reality, networking is a relationship building activity. Yes, there are some pitches, but that’s not the main purpose of a networking event. It’s a give and take exercise. You can learn from fellow business owners, share each other’s contacts and expertise. It’s as much about value you can provide to others as it is about value you can gain from them.
You don’t need to prepare for a networking event
There are plenty of ways you can prepare for a networking event. And we don’t just mean preparing a sales pitch. If you know who else is going to be there, take a look at their websites or LinkedIn profiles. If you’ve never been to a networking event before, check out some handy tips of the trade.
At the end of the day, you get out what you put in. So if you prepare, you’re much more likely to achieve results.
If you’re thinking about joining a networking group, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with In Business today to find out more about who we are and what we do.