The Pros and Cons of Making Networking connections
Are you looking for new connections to expand your network? It can be difficult to know where to begin. Tracking down who might be able to help you is challenging and often not worth your time. You’re probably better off just going with the flow and making the best connections you can. If you’re a solopreneur, chances are you don’t have a team of people helping you out. And if you do have a team, they may or may not be also part of your new company’s network. If that’s the case, it can be even more difficult to figure out how to best connect with other businesspeople in your new city or industry. In this article, we take a look at why making networking connections is beneficial and the pros and cons of making those connections yourself or reaching out to others for help.
Networking is beneficial
No matter who you are or where you are in life, there are always benefits to making new contacts. This holds true for everyone, regardless of your job or career choice. Whether you are a solopreneur, an entrepreneur, or a manager, the more people you meet the more likely you are going to be able to make new connections. This can be a great way to expand your network, learn from others, and find new customers or partners. Keep in mind that networking doesn’t mean giving out your phone number to every person you meet. You should make an effort to make sure that these new connections are going to be beneficial to you in some way. That’s what networking is all about, after all: making new contacts and/or building relationships that will benefit you in the long run.
Networking expands your business network
Beyond making new connections, networking events can be a great way to increase your business or organization’s network. You can network with colleagues, classmates, and other businesspeople who are interested in the same industry as you. You can also network with friends and other professionals in your industry. This can help you find new clients and strengthen your existing connections with those in the industry. There are many networking events that target specific industries or business types such as the Entrepreneur Breakfast or the Chamber of Commerce Business Networking event. These events are typically casual, and often incorporate small business events and sponsorships.
Avoid overreaching with your networking efforts
When reaching out to new contacts, remember to be discrete and keep your conversation focused on the task at hand. Don’t get into too much detail about your business or your products – this is likely to be overkill and will just confuse your new contacts. Keep your focus on the task at hand, and they’ll be better able to understand where you’re coming from. When you’re the one who’s reaching out, the premise is a bit different. You have more control over the content of your emails, and you can either include a lot of detail or keep it simple. Keep in mind that networking is about making new connections, so don’t just blast away with your own ideas and topics. Stay focused on the people you’re communicating with and their needs.
Make the most of the people you reach out to
Everyone’s Different – There is no one-size-fits-all approach to make new contacts or networking. Some people are more comfortable speaking on the phone or in person than others. People also have different personalities and preferences when it comes to the way they want to be reached. Some people prefer to meet in person, while others would rather communicate via email. Some people enjoy holding meetings, others prefer online communication. When you’re reaching out to new contacts, don’t just send an email to everyone you’ve ever wanted to talk with. Instead, target specific types of contacts that you want to talk with.
The Bottom Line
Making new connections is important. It’s a good idea to make sure you are making productive new contacts and expanding your network. You can do this by: – Making sure you are reaching out to the right people – Paying attention to the types of contacts you are making – Ensuring that your conversation is focused on the task at hand – Using appropriate channels for your chosen purpose
