At the begining, when you’re working on your business idea, or starting a business, talking to other people is all about learning or staying motivated by their success and fantastic micro businesses.
As you move forward, socializing is about filling the gaps in your new business. Often times your new business will have nothing to do with your previous job or previous business. You will be alone, reaching out for new people, customers and friends in the field.
You know where to find them because people of same social backgrounds and same interests tend to hang out at the same places. What is more important, it that you are lead by your interests and the things you like. So for example, if you like tennis, play tennis, meet some new people there. If you like hanging out at cafes with friends in the morning or in the afternoon more then at night at the bar, do that. Go to a shop you like and start a conversation. You can meet people anywhere.
But, it’s not only about solving the alienation problem when you’re in a new business. It’s also about spreading your word, about building a network of people; some of them will continue to spread your ideas, some of them will need your services and some of them will become your friends.
There is a lot in networking and doing business in a particular way. Some acquaintances lead to others, they also lead to new ideas, working on projects together, foreign connections and offers you didn’t expect. That’s how you get invited to openings, events and celebrations, where you meet more interesting people and before you know it, you are not a new kid in town anymore.
None of those events have to be big or small. But, it can spiral. Let’s say you enter a local shop, you meet the owner and you seem to get along pretty well. He invites you to a party he is throwing where you meet a lot of his artist friends. Some of them start following your blog, they invite you to go out with them, you meet more people. Now someone is interested in your services. Great, the word is spreading. In the meantime you decide to take a short trip with one of them, business and pleasure type; you both have some business to do at the same time, so why not go together and explore the city while you’re there. You accidenatly meet an old friend and manage to get one of your new friends from back home a small show. You’re invited to the opening where you meet other like-minded people who are interested in your work. In fact, the love it. Now you’ve opened a whole new market for yourself and the word is spreading even more. New clients, new contacts, more things to do.
Sounds like a lot? Not really, this happens all the time. And it’s a lot of fun, so start building your network as soon as possible. It’s what makes your business grow and engages you in more then just work.
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Don’t forget two things, though. Always have your business cards with you, and have them properly designed, simple with only the most important information. You don’t need to (and shouldn’t!) have all your social media usernames on there. Carry your cell phone to take numbers from people. In case you are at an event and take more than a few numbers, make notes on the spot so that you don’t forget who the people you took the phone numbers are. It would be really uncomfortable (and unprofessional) if someone called you and you couldn’t remember who they are even though you met just a few days ago.
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photo courtesy Clod79
