Before social media took the world by storm, people relied on networking to help them with marketing. Sure, social media is a form of networking and it’s very convenient that you can do it anywhere and anytime, but don’t let that stop you from getting out and participating in some good old fashioned face-to-face networking!
Image via FinancesOnline.com
Think of all the places you routinely visit, and all the people you know at these places – the front office staff at your dentist, the people in your yoga class, the teachers and other parents at your children’s school, and more. How many of these people know you have a business? Have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone and told any of them?
These people may become customers or they could refer you to someone they know. That’s what networking is all about. Even if you don’t think someone will be interested in what you sell, that doesn’t mean that they don’t know someone who might be interested.
If you haven’t made some business cards yet, get to it. Not only do you want to give them to people you know as a way to introduce them to your business, but they’re also a good way to meet new people. You never know who you’ll run into when you’re out and about. You may be at the grocery store and see someone wearing a scarf that looks handmade. Go up to them and ask if them if they made it. This could lead into a conversation where you talk about crafts for a few minutes. At the end of the conversation tell the person you enjoyed talking to them, give them your card, and tell them you’d like to meet for coffee one day. This person might become your friend – or maybe they could bring you some potential business. You never know until you try.
By Crissy Herron, www.IndieBizChicks.com
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