It's a known fact that a lot of business owners, sole traders, and freelancers don't enjoy networking. It's often seen as a 'necessary evil' - a must-do if you want to get your brand out there and gain some business. But there's another way. At Kindred Business Networking we teach an easy, enjoyable way to achieve business growth without selling.

So in this article, I'm sharing a few tips based on my many years of extensive experience attending networking events but also on founding and running Kindred.

1. Be your authentic self
There's a lot of talk about authenticity in the marketing and networking space. And the word might be overused, but the idea of being your authentic self couldn't be more important when it comes to networking.

We all worry about competition, but thankfully, there's only one of you. You are unique. Even if someone else out there is selling the same products or services you offer, no one will do it in the exact way you do. And how are people going to buy into you, your brand, and your way of working, if you don't show them who you are, what you do, and how you do it?

So my first tip is to be fully present, to engage with others, and to be yourself. Be comfortable in your own skin, and when you walk into a room (virtual or otherwise), accept the fact you won't be everyone's cup of tea. And that's okay! You don't have to be. Your ideal customers or clients will connect with you because of who you are. And those who don't probably aren't the people you want to work with.

2. Plan and prepare
Planning and preparation are key when you attend networking events. If you're not 100% clear in the way you express what you do and what you offer, how can you expect to be connected with and referred to the right people?

So before you attend any meeting, take some time to plan what you're going to say. What do you want to achieve? What is it you do, and how does it benefit people? Think about the one thing you can offer. And make sure you work on this in advance of your meetings. Revise, tune in, and refine what you're going to say so you can concisely share your key message within a couple of minutes. And don't forget to practise and rehearse - you want your words to sound natural and authentically true.

3. Serve, not sell
When it comes to Kindred Business Networking, we talk a lot about NetGiving, not NetWorking. Why? Because this simple shift of mindset allows you to attend a meeting with the expectation to help - to serve. And not to sell. When you enter the room, we want you to ask yourself, "How can I serve someone else today?"

We ask you to join us with an open mind and heart. Ask questions, so you can find out about other business owners, what they do, their families, and what they enjoy doing when they're not working. When you're open to listening to others and look for ways to support each other, you'll be surprised at how natural and easy it will become to find opportunities for collaborations or help. Often people might need an introduction to someone who can assist with their personal goals or life, and you might just be the person to have that connection.

We believe that whenever you approach networking with this attitude and mindset, you will reap the rewards. Making time for NetGiving is an investment in growing your business. And the time you invest will pay off multifold. Try it out - it's a proven model for success in our community.

4. Get to know, like, and trust others
The know, like, and trust factor is fundamental if you want people to do business with you. When it comes to networking, naturally, it takes time for people to get to know you, like you, and trust you. And one of the best ways for you to achieve this is to be genuine - to show a real interest in getting to know, like, and trust the other people in the room. Because you simply can't expect others to build a relationship with you if you're not willing to put in the time and effort yourself.

So how do you do it? Ask questions, show interest, and listen. We all love to talk about ourselves and get things off our chests. So give people around you the opportunity to do so and be willing to go the extra mile. You can even follow up by arranging virtual 30-minute calls or, if possible, meet up for a coffee in real life.

When people start to find out more about you and become comfortable in your company, they're more likely to become trusted colleagues and allies. And, in turn, they're more likely to naturally refer you or recommend you to others. But this won't happen unless you put in the work to build those relationships first.

5. Ask others for help 
A big part of being genuine and honest - your authentic self - when networking includes the ability to ask for help when you need it. At Kindred, we are proud of having a community made of heart-centered business owners who feel safe enough to ask for advice, support, and help when they need it.

Because let's face it - we all get stuck and need a little help sometimes, whether it's to do with our business or our personal lives. And when you feel safe and comfortable enough to share, you'll easily find others who have had similar experiences or challenges as you and can give you a little step up in the right direction.

After all, two heads are better than one, so leave your ego out of the room and ask for help. You'll be amazed at how willing like-minded people are to support and help each other.

Would you like to join the Kindred community?
I hope you found these tips helpful. And if you'd like to find out more about Kindred Business Networking, we are a close-knit collective of diverse businesses that work together to organically increase our combined reach of clients and collaborators. Our business growth is based on quality and experience, rather than the obligatory network referrals. As you've probably gathered from this article, we believe in Integrity, Collaboration, Engagement, Transparency, Inclusiveness, Support, Kindred Spirits, Openness, and Fun.

To find out more, or to join our growing network of inspired business owners, sole traders, start-ups, and freelancers who appreciate the power of regular networking for personal and business growth, please get in touch.

And to see dates for our online Bruch Club, check out our Events page. We currently meet online every other Thursday between 10 am and 12 pm.

 

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