Business Networking
Business networking helps put you, the busy entrepreneur, in a growth mindset. You don’t have to be lonely. You don’t have to know everything or learn it all from scratch. Social media is full of entrepreneurs waiting to connect with like minded individuals. Whether you just want to talk to others you get the struggle or ask for advice, these business networking tips will guide you to other entrepreneurs who will be happy to meet you.
Meet In Person With Meetup
Meetup is a unique type of social business networking. It is designed to help people actually meet in person. It’s a novel concept in the online social world. The way the site works is you enter an interest, such as the type of business or just entrepreneur. You choose a location and distance range. The site then shows you any applicable local groups that may be of interest.
It’s a great site if you want to get out and socialize with entrepreneurs in your area. It’s also good if you want to run a local business. Others in the area might know tips for helping you get started.
Finding Entrepreneurs On Twitter
Finding Entrepreneurs On TwitterEntrepreneurs are constantly sharing advice and asking questions on Twitter. The hard part is finding those people. A little digging will quickly help you find the best people to network with.
To make your life easier, try doing a search for #entrepreneur and #yourindustry or profession. For instance, a dog groomer might search for #entrepreneur #doggroomer. Once you find industry leaders, see who they follow and who follows them.
Join Communities On LinkedIn
LinkedIn is still one of the most valuable tools for entrepreneurs to network with other entrepreneurs. Putting up a profile isn’t enough though. You have to join communities. Search the site for entrepreneur communities. You’ll get a ton of results, but searching by profession or industry helps narrow it down. Join several communities at least for better exposure and advice.
Follow Mentors
Do you have blogs you read often or entrepreneurs you admire? Odds are, they’re on social media. Check their site to see which sites they use. Follow them. Reach out to them. Talk to their other followers. Many popular entrepreneurs have created their own social communities. They encourage their followers to share advice and support each other. This is an excellent way to do business networking.
Join Facebook Groups and Networking Events
Facebook groups are still popular. You can also now use the event feature to find networking local events. In some case, they may be easier to find on Facebook than than on LinkedIn. Start by looking up any fellow entrepreneurs you know and see which groups they are a member of. You can also do a search for entrepreneur and filter to search only for groups. Active groups are an invaluable source of inspiration, advice, and friendship.
Other entrepreneurs are out there. You just have to find them. When you start talking to others like you, you?ll be amazed at the ideas you come up with.
Do you know the difference between business networking and spamming? Read more at Networking and Spamming.