Being a business owner is hard in today’s world, but being a networker is even harder. After you craft your mission statement and finalize what products you will be selling, it’s important that you start reaching out to your target market. Afterall, what is a superhero without his friends?
Having a website is great but if you’re a new business and aren’t ranking in the search engine pages, it’s important that you network and let you friends know about it.
Networking Like a Super Hero
As a team of Raleigh internet marketing specialists, we understand it’s important to target the events that are important you. Here in the Triangle there are a variety of networking events depending on what your interests are. You can often find networking events on Meetup.com, Eventbrite.com, and even your local entertainment newspapers.
Once you have chosen the events that you want to go to, it’s important that you take your business cards in your pocket and actually attend them. If you show up sooner you can often network with many of the early birds before anyone else is away.
Sit down beside people you want to meet. It’s often important if you target key people before you even leave. Many websites will have the names of people before you leave.
During the event sit and listen. Be Comfortable, walk up to people you don’t know, and greet them and shake their hands. Talk to them and let them know what you think is best. Never forget to smile and nod, that will earn you major points even if you are not listening.
Once you’re done with the event don’t forget to look the person up on LinkedIn! We often suggest waiting 24-48 hrs before you add someone, you don’t want to be too needy. Find the person up with them on LinkedIn and don’t forget to follow up on their skills or whatever you have to follow. Remember ask what you can do, not what you can sell.
Networking on Social Media
Networking in live events is great but it’s important that you know how to understand how to network using social media. No matter if you are using Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, or Google+ it’s important that you understand how the networking etiquette using the platform. Each platform has its best networking capabilities, but you might want to stay away from using Facebook as it’s considered a closed network.
Social Media offers great opportunities to network. If you’re a Twitter User Moz’s FollowerWonk is a great tool for to use to find people who are relevant to you and your audience. If you don’t have the capabilities in mind, that’s find. We suggest that you find people in your space and find out who they are talking too.
Most importantly don’t forget to engage. Engage with your audience and engage with people who you want to know.
Join the Celebration!
Our 10 part series leads up to an exciting celebration: “TheeDesign Studio’s Marvel-ous 10 Year Anniversary Party”
When: 6-9pm Thurs June 19th, 2014
Where: The Hive bar/restaurant downtown Raleigh
Won’t you join us and our cast of local superheroes?
Register now! It’s free.