As an entrepreneur, you know the value of networking–the connections built at events often bring a significant portion of new customers and can be key to finding investors or partners for growth. However, it may seem daunting with limited time available when every second counts in business. Don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to build relationships quickly without sacrificing quality relationship-building moments!
With these quick tips on Networking as an Entrepreneur Short on Time, you’ll have all your bases covered while managing that precious resource: TIME!
Try these strategies…
Make It a Daily Habit
The more you practice networking as a daily habit, the more naturally it will fit into your day.
Becoming a networking powerhouse doesn’t have to take hours out of your day. A five-minute ritual at the start of each morning can improve relationships with partners, investors, and peers without much effort. Use that traffic jam or waiting period in line for something else as an opportunity — set up phone calls and make sure you reach out on social media
Consistency is key: incorporate this habit into daily activities just like brushing your teeth so there won’t be any more excuses when it comes time to connect!
If networking becomes a habit then it starts to feel more natural.
What’s more, when networking becomes a habit, it also becomes something that you don’t have to force yourself to make time for.
You will be less likely to make excuses that you don’t have a moment to spare.
Leverage Existing Connections
Networking isn’t just about building new relationships.
Sure building relationships is the foundation of any successful network. But don’t forget to look closer to home – your current colleagues could be a great source for introducing you to people in your industry!
Why not use lunchtime as an opportunity? Getting together over food can provide insights into just how talented, experienced, and connected someone might be — adding value that perhaps wasn’t there before or was overlooked. So next time you break bread with coworkers, get ready to find out all they know about who’s worth knowing!
Getting to know your team could also reveal that certain employees have hidden talents that you could be utilizing better in your business.
Use Existing Activities
Networking is a skill that can benefit you in any situation. Take advantage of your already established social activities to not only expand your connections, but practice and hone this important ability.
You may find unexpected allies at the gym or do-it-yourself laundry services who could have a profound effect on further advancement opportunities – so don’t forget those mundane spots! Being able to make meaningful relationships with people around us can give us an edge when it comes time for career progression and cultivating potential future ties.
Getting practice into your day where you can work on your ability to build emotional links to others is a lot more valuable than most people realize.
Schedule Important Events in Advance
Stay on top of your networking game and make sure you don’t miss out on any important events! With effective organization, it’s possible to prepare for in-person meetups well ahead of time. Doing so gives you the chance to attend all those must-see gatherings – maximizing both your contacts and opportunities.
Networking is a key part of professional growth and success. Make sure to give yourself the best shot at it by planning ahead! Set aside time in your schedule every month for attending industry events – both offline and online – that you find particularly interesting or relevant, so you have enough preparation when they come around.
Be selective about the kind of events you choose. Ideally, you’ll want to visit an environment where you can reach people who you are going to be able to provide a benefit by learning about yourself and your business.
Use Social Media
Finally, social media is one of the most popular and convenient ways to network these days. After all, the intent behind social media is to foster relationships and relationship building
Maximize your online connections and make sure you’re always on the lookout; with a few minutes of effort daily, you can build an invaluable network that’ll be instrumental in achieving success. Leverage social media to establish strong relationships without sacrificing too much time — put those networking skills into action! Just make sure that you don’t end up going down a rabbit hole and getting trapped endlessly scrolling.
Set a specific amount of time aside so you can avoid getting distracted for too long. Having multiple accounts is also a way to help you keep on task and is a common practice for professionals. Keeping your business and personal relationships separate will help you focus on the things that matter at any given time. School pictures of the kids might be cute and a nice way to keep up with your friends but they are not very likely to provide much benefit to your business efforts.
Looking Forward
Networking is one of the single most important things to help you and your business succeed.
By using existing activities, scheduling events in advance, and making it a daily habit, you will be able to foster relationships without taking away from the other tasks you need to complete. Social media can be used as an effective tool for increasing your networks, although it is best used alongside traditional networking methods.
Lastly, leverage the contacts you already have – never underestimate the value of the people who already know and trust you.
With this knowledge in hand, there is no excuse not to get out there and start networking!
What other networking tips do you have? Let us know in the comments below!
