Improve your turnover: Networking tips

Formal business networking clubs are a fantastic way to not only grow your business but also find a support network of virtual colleagues and suppliers.

There are many different networking organisations. At Titanium Design we are members of the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce which provides support, training and networking opportunities. We attend their networking breakfast clubs as well as other networking events that they run.

At the formal networking events, most often breakfasts, so that you can still do a full working day, I believe there are three powerful tools at your disposal to develop your business.

1) Everyone gets the opportunity to introduce themselves during a one minute 'elevator' pitch. So called because it's what you would say to capture the imagination of your ideal client if you had one minute of their undivided attention, say, in an elevator!
Everyone finds these a bit nerve racking to start with, just keep it simple, here's a skeleton script for you:

My name is ...
I am from ...(company name)
We help people who ...(think of some kind of 'pain' which you help to relieve for your clients)
My ideal client would be ...
Repeat you name & company name

An example of a one minute script would be:

Good morning, my name is Helen Leathers from Titanium Design
We provide quality graphic & multimedia design, helping our clients to get their business noticed amongst their competitors.
My ideal client would be someone looking for a new brand or company image. We can help them build a strong look, and carry it across all of their marketing literature and throughout their website.
So, if I can help someone you know, I'm Helen, from Titanium Design.

2) Members of such organisations also get the opportunity every few weeks or months to showcase their business, usually with a ten-minute presentation. Take advantage of this opportunity, it really does drive business to you.

3) I find that the best way to make these events work for you is to arrange 1-2-1 meetings with other members to find out what it is that they do, and to let them know more about what you do. This is not about them becoming a customer or client of yours or vice versa, although that may be appropriate. It is so that you can both look out for potential business for each other in your travels.

Networking is about relationships. People buy from people, and people are far more likely to buy from people that they know, like and trust. So don't expect to get work overnight from this form of marketing, you will need to give it time and be committed. All I can say is that it works for us as well as a lot of our clients, friends and suppliers. GOOD LUCK