Networking Is Alive and Well

                Don’t let social media fool you.  The human element of networking is alive and well and still vital in today’s business world.  Yes, social media is fun and it’s fast, but it doesn’t replace the personal relationships we develop.

                Very little of my business has come via the Internet or the phone book.  Don’t get me wrong, I still use social media and other marketing tactics to get my name out there, but much of my business has come to me through word of mouth because I knew someone who knew someone who needed the services I offer.  But you need to get out occasionally and meet people.

                What can you do to meet people?

                Join an organization.  You don’t have to necessarily join a networking organization, but you should join at least one organization that interests you.  In my case, I belong to a technology organization because my business is part of the IT community.  There are members who belong to all kinds of businesses.  Join your local chamber or a professional organization.

                Participate in the organization that you joined.  A membership won’t do anything for you if you don’t participate.  Sure, you can say you belong, but if you really want to get any benefit, attend at least some of the functions.  And if you don’t like attending any of the functions or you find the functions extremely boring, then maybe you joined the wrong organization.  Find another one.

                Attend a trade show or business expo.  See if there are any business related events in the area and attend one of two of them a year.  What you decide to attend depends on your business and what is around you, but go at least once and see if the event has anything to offer you whether it’s meeting people or learning about new things in the industry.

                Talk to strangers.  I don’t mean push your business with everyone you meet, but get out there and just meet people and talk.  They get to know you and what you do.  I don’t mean I give people my whole life story, but often people will ask what I do. I design Web sites.  Often, the conversation about what I do doesn’t go beyond that and we move onto other things, but months or years later, I may hear from that person.  “Remember me?  I met you at ….  Do you still design Web sites? Well,…”

                When you are a business owner, you need to market yourself in many ways, so don’t hide behind technology – go network!