While your new business may have the next great solution, it’s often hard to get it off the ground without personnel or financial support. That is why networking is crucial for entrepreneurs. Networking events are great places for making new connections in your industry; however, they can also be overwhelming. Fortunately, there is a way to make networking not only less intimidating, but more productive. Here are some networking tips for entrepreneurs to help you boost your business.
TOP NETWORKING TIPS FOR ENTREPRENEURS
From mingling with investors to getting more involved in your community, these are the top tips you can use when approaching networking events in High Point, NC.
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Explore Online Communities
Sometimes, you can find your next big connection without ever leaving your house. Networking websites provide opportunities to discover networking events, find like-minded individuals or get great business advice. For online networking, it’s important to diversify your approach. Different websites may have different users, and one forum may be more effective than another. You should also pitch yourself just like you would in-person, so people can learn more about your brand. When in-person meet-ups get scheduled, don’t be afraid to attend
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Find Common Ground
While you may focus on networking circles that relate to your profession, you may find even more success in circles where you share common interests. Joining a golf club, pickleball league or other social group may open up networking opportunities to build beneficial relationships with others who share your same passions. You never know who may have influence outside of your shared community, and once they get to know you, they’ll be more willing to help you out.
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Get Familiar with Investors
Instead of waiting for investors to come to you, it’s sometimes best to interact with them directly at investor meet-ups. After all, investors are attending these events for a reason: They’re ready to put capital in your field and are looking for promising candidates. Build rapport with investors by going beyond the sales pitch. Let them know about your desires and interests both inside and outside of the field, and get to know more about them as well. While you may only walk away from these events with a connection, you could also walk away with an offer.
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Get in Your Community
Community and neighborhood events help you both expand your brand and learn more about the area’s developments, initiatives and goals. It’s also a helpful opportunity to learn who’s who in decision-making for your community. In addition to learning who they are, it’s a prime opportunity to identify where and how your offerings can fit their needs.
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Join Entrepreneurial Communities
One of the best ways to grow is to get to know small businesses. Local businesses are plugged directly into the community, and they likely have many of the connections you’ll need to succeed. If they’re a well-known or popular local business, their events will likely be attended by influential people in your area. By being a friendly face in your community, you can build strong relationships and become their future go-to professional in your field of expertise.
BUILD YOUR NETWORK WITH BUSINESS HIGH POINT-CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
If you’re an entrepreneur in High Point, there’s no better place to network than with Business High Point-Chamber of Commerce. At BHP-CC, we empower the changemakers in our community to think big, dream big and make big things happen. Whether you’re an entrepreneur getting off the ground, an executive growing to new heights or an ambitious professional ready to supercharge your career, we’ll help you advance to the next stage with comprehensive leadership programming, industry-specific coaching and business growth resources needed for success. To learn more, contact us today.