When it comes to your career and business, there are always going to be certain things that will guarantee you success. Even when you’re not sure how things are going to work out for you and whether you’d actually get the return on investment that you’re looking for, there are always those things (that are often free!) that you can rely on. One of those things is networking. Most of the time, it’s a completely free method of making connections, building your brand name, raising awareness for what you do, and generating more business (or interest in you if you’re trying to grow in your career).
It’s safe to say that networking is always going to be one of those things that we’re a little afraid of. Sometimes, the idea of putting ourselves out there to meet people that we don’t know can be incredibly daunting. But, on the other hand, it can also be rewarding and bring a lot of success your way. So in this blog post, we’re going to run through the ten reasons why you might want to start networking more today.
1. It Will Build Your Confidence
First of all, if you’re someone that’s a tad afraid of getting started, then undeniably in doing so you’ll start to build your convenience. Stepping out of your comfort zone is never easy, but being able to grow your confidence will only ever be a good thing for your business (and for you in general). You’ll get better at it and feel much more confident with it the more you do it, so it’s always best to stop putting it off and just start!
2. You’ll Make New Contacts
In terms of business benefits alone, you’ll absolutely make new contacts – and this can be a positive for a variety of reasons. Not only will you have people to go to when you need help or are in a position to procure different services, but they may also come to you too. Plus, they always say it’s not what you know but who you know – so who knows where this could take you.
3. You Can Open New Doors
At the same time, you’ll find that you might also be able to open new doors for your business. Maybe it will come in the form of finding the perfect serviced offices through a new contact or being put in touch with a great service provider that you need. It could be that your business could gain new staff or open up in a new market. It’s all about being open-minded and seeing what doors will open for your growing business.
4. Recommendations Will Come Your Way
With all these new contacts and doors opening, it’s highly likely that you’re then also going to start being referred for new business. After all, you’re getting your name out there and building up a reputation as an expert, it’s all going to mean that you start to get mentioned in different circles. So if you’ve been looking for a way to do your own PR and boost your sales at the same time, networking could be just what you need.
5. You’ll Raise Awareness
Speaking of which, you’re absolutely going to be building up a way of getting more PR and putting your name (and your company) out into the world by networking. If you want your name to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue, then networking is going to allow you to do it. The more events you go to and the more people you meet, the more you can talk about what you’re doing and get your name out there. Not everyone you meet will bring you business, but it certainly will create a ripple effect for you.
6. You Can Build Your Brand
Another incredible benefit is that you’ll also be able to build a brand for yourself. The more connections you make, the more known you and your business will become. This is a perfect branding exercise for you and can allow you to start to become known as an expert in your field.
7. Opportunities Will Appear
Just like new doors will open, you may find that an abundance of opportunities starts to come your way. Whether these are business opportunities, investments, expansion, sales, or more – who knows what will happen? But if you’re not putting yourself out there in the first place, you’re not allowing yourself to be open to the opportunities that may be available.
8. Your Business Will Grow
Undoubtedly, your business is also going to grow. As you start to put yourself out there more and more, make more connections, and raise awareness for what you’re doing, your business will take off. Not only is it going to support your brand and get you new customers, but you’ll inevitably make more sales as a result. So if business growth is your goal, networking should always be on your agenda.
9. You’ll Learn a Lot
You’re also going to learn an incredible amount of things too. As you start to connect, and spend more time, with people from different walks of life, different industries, and different levels of experience, you’re going to have an opportunity to absorb knowledge. And you should take it! It could help you to find the success that you’re looking for.
10. You’ll Have Fun Along the Way
And finally, it’s hard not to see that you’ll also be able to enjoy yourself in the process. Even when you believe that networking is hard work, scary, or intimidating, the more you do it the easier it will get. And because you’ll be meeting new people and making connections, promoting your business and attending many different events, and having a range of experiences, it’s bound to be fun. You’ll probably make lifelong friends along the way too! So what’s not to love about it?
