Networking is another form of marketing. It’s an opportunity to get you and your product or service in front of new people, and to build relationships that could be mutually beneficial. However, it is not a sales tool!  If you go along to a networking event and start selling, it will be a shortlived exercise. The focus should be on meeting new people, finding out about them and making business contacts.

I can honestly say that most of my business comes through networking – but that doesn’t mean I go to a networking event and come back with a new project. Over the years, I have kept in touch with many people I have worked with, including employers, suppliers and colleagues. Social media makes this even easier, so you can stay connected without any pressure or obligation to do anything.  The odd email or direct message from time to time, or a comment on an article or update all help to ensure that you and your business pop up regularly enough to prompt requests for help when it’s needed.

Networking events give you the opportunity to meet people and talk about business. There aren’t many places where you can launch a conversation with “Hi, what do you do?” Nobody minds, that’s what you’re there for. If you meet someone you get on with or think you could work with, keep in touch. 

For example, last year I met a lady from a design agency. I liked her portfolio and we exchanged details. Several weeks later, I bumped into her whilst walking the dog. Then we connected on LinkedIn. A few weeks after that I needed some help with a design project so of course I called her. And then she had a client who needed some marketing advice so I won a great piece of business. We’ve since worked on several projects together to our mutual benefit.

I used to avoid networking, thinking it was all about a sales pitch but it really isn’t. Use the opportunity to find out about other people and whether they have the same outlook and the same business values as you. You will probably have to meet someone several times before any work comes your way, so give it time. And networking can happen in many different places, not just at official networking events. Clubs, committees and groups are networking opportunities, as are workshops and courses. View meeting people as a chance to build up awareness, trust and credibility.

If you’re looking for opportunities to meet new business people in the Maidenhead area, try:

• Maidenhead Chamber of Commerce – www.maidenhead.org.uk
• Business Link – www.businesslink.gov.uk
• Success Network – www.successnetwork.org
• Thames Valley Business Women’s Group – www.tvbwg.com
• Ladies Who Latte – www.ladieswholatte.rsitez.com
• She plc – www.sheplc.com
• Athena – www.theathenanetwork.com

There are plenty of others I haven’t tried yet – search for “business networking Maidenhead” on Google

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Normally there is no cost for a standard listing and it will just take a few minutes to add your details to each one.  You may look at these sites and think they are not that exciting, but try doing an online search for your business type and see how often they come up – you’re missing a trick by not being listed!

Here is a list of such directory listing sites in Maidenhead:

http://www.maidenhead-berkshire.co.uk/

www.maidenhead.net

And some nationwide ones that feature local listings …

www.ufindus.com

www.smilelocal.com

www.touchlocal.com

www.thomsonlocal.com

www.freeindex.co.uk

www.upmystreet.com