Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Networking

Networking is an essential and highly effective marketing tool. Don't over-complicate it - the crux of networking lies in simply getting out, meeting people, treating everyone well, and positively engaging your community of potential clients.

What social circles are you currently a part of? Of course you belong to a range of family, friend, and acquaintance circles. What about recreational sports teams? Religious groups? Hobby clubs? Exercise groups? Classmates in post-secondary, leadership, or other self-development classes? Even your role as a spouse or parent can grow your network of first-level relationships.

Maybe you feel uncomfortable with attempting to "sell" your good friends, and worry that you will lose something cherishable in your relationship the minute you start "talking business." Again, don't over-complicate networking and stress over pressuring your personal relationships into professional ones. It's not a win-lose situation - go for the win-win! If the opportunity comes to talk about how you can help a friend, take it. If they're not interested, let it go until the opportunity arises to discuss how your professional role might benefit them. It's not a do-or-die situation, and your family and friends are not obligated to support you as a direct consequence or result of your personal relations with them. Don't put a personal relationship on the line to make a buck.

Give the best you have to every personal and professional person in your life, and you will find networking to be the key to your business's success.