From the Desk of Janet Barclay

According to Wikipedia,

“Business networking is a marketing method by which business opportunities are created through networks of like-minded business people.”

Most small business owners, especially those in service-based industries, will name networking as their most effective marketing tool. But it’s important to remember that networking isn’t just about generating business!

Someone I met at her first networking event expressed disappointment that she hadn’t landed any clients, and I explained to her that it would be very unusual if she had! Although networking can and does lead to income opportunities, it is first and foremost a way of connecting with others and building relationships. When you meet someone, instead of asking yourself “how can I sell something to this person?” you need to think about how you can help them. By that, I don’t mean which of your services or products will benefit them – although sometimes that will be obvious, and it’s not inappropriate for you to mention it. Instead, learn about what they do, and think about who you know that might be interested in doing business with them. You’ll be amazed at what can happen!

I’d like to share an example from my own experience with The Beehive Game Online, which I’ve mentioned several times since joining just over a year ago. While preparing for the Golden Horseshoe Virtual Assistants Group’s upcoming special evening event, I decided to post the question

“Do you know anyone who would like to donate a door prize for a business event taking place in Oakville this November?”

I received a number of replies and rounded up several excellent donations simply by exchanging a few emails. However, one person asked me to give her a call so she could learn more about the people who would be attending the event and select the most appropriate one of her products to donate. Before calling her, I checked out her website and discovered that she offers a number of eco-friendly products, as well as an opportunity for others to sell those products. As it happens, one of my clients had previously asked me for business ideas in that very industry, so I forwarded her the link, and the two of them have now connected.

During our telephone conversation, the woman mentioned that there were no networking groups for women in Guelph, but I happened to know about Guelph Women in Networking, because I’d been a guest speaker at one of their events (an opportunity that presented itself as the result of my networking with other VAs via the Canadian Virtual Assistant Connection). She is now planning to attend their next meeting. She also mentioned that she was thinking about starting a group in her own area, so I introduced her to Marie Mushing of People in Connection, who is currently looking for people to form new chapters throughout Ontario.

So, out of posting one question, I received not only what I was looking for, but was able to make three other connections – and who knows where they will lead? And although I didn’t benefit directly from any of this, all four people involved have expressed their appreciation and I know that I’m likely to come to mind when they require services or have referrals to make in the future.