Why Networking is Essential for Your Business

Monday 19 August 2024

By Vicky Blades, Entrepreneurship Programme Coordinator at Women in Business.

What do you think of when someone mentions a networking event? Chances are it’s either a) brilliant! I can get out of my workspace and meet like minded people, or b) oh no, I’m going to have to speak to strangers and – worst of all – talk about myself… Maybe it’s actually, c) a mixture of both.

You are not alone. It can be especially challenging for women who have their own business, because often we are working alone, working from home and juggling all sorts of other responsibilities from childcare to a full-time job. Taking time out to go to an event which fills you with dread is not going to be a priority!

But. I’ve yet to meet a woman who didn’t get something out of a networking event. In fact, I’d say 99 percent of participants find it uplifting, energising and inspiring.

There are, of course, a number of benefits. Not least getting out of the house/workshop/studio! (Unless it’s a virtual event, in which case you still get time away from your desk/workspace, without the additional travelling.) It is an investment in yourself and your business and should be treated as such. It is about meeting people, for sure, but it’s also about learning new things, celebrating your wins, listening to inspiring speakers, practicing your introduction, getting out of your comfort zone, finding supporters and, above all, connecting. As we say, here in the Entrepreneurship Team at Women in Business, you never know who you might be talking to; your customer, your next collaborator, a new investor, or just as importantly; their friends.

In my own business, as a Confident Communication Coach, my most frequently asked question is How Do I Network with Confidence? Here are my top tips;

1. Practice your intro! Speak your name, title and business name out loud, with a short sentence about what you do and who you help. Repeat.

2. Remind yourself that this is a warm audience; people like you investing their time to make connections. (Plus the Women in Business team are super friendly).

3. Hang around the refreshments; it’s an easy place to start a conversation, even if it’s just about the coffee.

4. Come prepared; with business cards, your LinkedIn profile or however you want to be contacted. The fortune is in the follow up!

5. Be curious. Focusing on others can take the pressure off talking about yourself.

6. You’ve done hard things before; running a business means learning new skills and getting out of your comfort zone on an almost daily basis, so you can totally do this too.

Now take a deep breath and book your next networking event with Women in Business. Before you know it, networking will be an enjoyable, profitable and vital part of your business toolkit.