Your Network Is Your Net Worth: Use These Networking Tips to Grow Your Business

​How many times have you had a great meeting with a prospect or potential referral partner ... only to never hear from them again? It’s frustrating, but if you flip it around, you realize they probably had an equally great meeting with you … only to never hear from you again.

You’ve probably heard the famous quote from Tim Sanders: “Your network is your net worth”, but have you ever stopped to think about what that quote really means? Have you figured out how to tap into the awesome power that is your network, or are you just sitting by the phone and hoping it will ring?

If you’re ready to be more proactive in your business and start getting clients in the door, here are some networking tips you can use to make your network work for you. For even more information, check out my free course in my Online Academy called Networking Effectively to Reach Your Goals.

1st Networking Tip: Invite Them to Sign Up for Your Newsletter

I use Acuity as my scheduling software and I have it linked to my Active Campaign account, which is the CRM I use for my newsletter, as well as keeping my prospects organized so I know when and how to follow up. That way, every time someone schedules a meeting with me, they automatically get an invitation to sign up for my newsletter, which has become a great way to build my mailing list.

It’s important to remember that, in order for this networking tip to be effective, you need to maintain an active newsletter, which means sending something out to your subscribers at least once a month, if not every week or every other week.

2nd Networking Tip: Invite Them to Connect on Social Media

Social media is a great way to stay top of mind with your network and remind them of the value you provide, so if you have a Facebook group for your business, invite prospects to join your Facebook group. If you’re in a B2B industry, you might want to invite them to connect with you on LinkedIn.

​As with your newsletter, this networking tip will only work if you’re active on the places you invite them to connect with you. If you have a Facebook group for your business, make sure you’re posting regularly in that group and inviting members to participate and start discussions. If you invite them to connect with you on LinkedIn, make sure you’re actively posting, liking, sharing, and commenting on other people’s posts. That will help boost your visibility on LinkedIn and make it more likely the people in your network will actually see your posts.

3rd Networking Tip: Wish Them Happy Birthday

​Everyone likes a little recognition now and then, especially on their birthday, so whenever someone schedules an appointment with me, I like to ask them when their birthday is so I can be sure to send them a birthday card (or at least a Facebook message) on their special day.

Facebook and LinkedIn also make this really easy by asking people when their birthday is as soon as they sign up. If they make their birthday public, you’ll get a notification whenever someone in your network is celebrating their birthday. It only takes a second to send them a quick message wishing them a happy birthday, but it can do so much to keep you foremost in their minds while building goodwill.

4th Networking Tip: Let Them Know What You Do

​Think about all your social media connections and all the contacts you have in your phone. Does each and every one of those people know what you do for a living? If you’re not sure what the answer is, then the answer is probably “no”, in which case you need to let them know (or remind them) what you do.

​People who don’t know what you have to offer or the kinds of clients you serve can’t connect you to the right people, so it’s important to remember that, when you’re connecting with someone, you’re not just connecting with them, you’re connecting with their entire network … but only if you know how to make the most of that connection.

​Whether you struggle to get a return on the time and money you invest into networking events, or you’re just not sure how to follow up with the people you met (whether individually or at networking events) I can help. Schedule your FREE clarity call now to see how I can help you tap into your network and build relationships that will take your business to the next level.