Is your networking working?

[globalguy]

Us human beings are social animals. The desire to grow our tribes is firmly embedded into our collective DNA. Which is why business networking exists.

I am curious to learn if UKBF members are networking and if so, how?

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Yes I have a good old yap with local businesses and I am on here !
Always talking to people and always listening that's natural networking No fuss no dumb ass names, No drama just out there all the time
Always need to know what's going on and I dont miss a trick
I always make sure they know I'm here
That's how it all works

 

[Mark T Jones]

Pretty much everyone networks - often without knowing it

Personally my professional networks are built around my target market sectors - particularly hospitality.

I avoid like the plague formal 'networking events' particularly where the invitation says ' bring plenty of business cards'

 

[Andy Harris]

I don't have time for much in-person networking (although appreciate it's more impactful being with people).

I do some online networking (mostly zoom calls) and yes, they can build relationships over time, but I do measure it.

The opportunity cost is the killer, as I discovered from one group I used to attend (zoom). I worked out that I'd spent a total of 11 hours (over a few months) and it led to one sale (worth £600/year). That's a £54/hour return. HOWEVER, if I'd spent 11 hours creating more website content to bring in/convert website visitors, then the return could have been much greater.

Networking isn't all about getting a sale of course - a nice benefit is making contacts who are useful to me and those I know, where trust has been built up.

 

[Fagin2021]

I started LinkedIn but quickly discovered that I was getting loads of 'add me to your network' requests from people who simply wanted to sell something.
I'd be interested to know if anyone has found it valuable?

 

[Mark T Jones]

I

I started LinkedIn but quickly discovered that I was getting loads of 'add me to your network' requests from people who simply wanted to sell something.
I'd be interested to know if anyone has found it valuable?

I use it extensively & to good effect - but I don't ever just 'sell my stuff'

IMO LinkedIn is a platform for building business relationships, pure & simple.

 

[fisicx]

Most of my clients are outside the UK. No point in networking as they rarely need my services more than once.

 

[Fagin2021]

I


I use it extensively & to good effect - but I don't ever just 'sell my stuff'

IMO LinkedIn is a platform for building business relationships, pure & simple.

If it's not confidential, I'd be interested to know how you use it.

 

[Mark T Jones]

If it's not confidential, I'd be interested to know how you use it.

Definitely not confidential

I connect and interact with people I consider to be relevant, interesting and/or funny and sometimes business relationships evolve

just like real life

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Definitely not confidential

I connect and interact with people I consider to be relevant, interesting and/or funny and sometimes business relationships evolve

just like real life

Some people get a lot of LinkedIn and some of us dont . I find it full of dreamers unlike here where I have long term contacts with decades of experience in their field

 

[NT8SeaterTaxis]

I've tried. LinkedIn is just a mash up for me. Have no idea how to use it.

I'm just a small 1 man band with a taxi company, I sometimes cant cover work so have 2 or 3 drivers that cover work.

I don't now if actual networking will work for me as its difficult to network locally as most other businesses use the big company's around here anyway.

 

[AllUpHere]

There used to be a member on this forum claiming to be some kind of networking expert. I think he tried to set up a business teaching people how to network successfully; I'm pretty sure it failed. He also claimed that cold calling wasn't dead and set up an office supplies business with it's main promotional focus being cold calling. Pretty sure that failed too.

The moral of the story is, those who think they are networking gods, are the ones everyone else avoids because they think they are a bit of a tit. Those who naturally make connections without even knowing they are networking are the ones to emulate.

 

[Darren_Ssc]

The moral of the story is, those who think they are networking gods, are the ones everyone else avoids because they think they are a bit of a tit.

I knew a guy like this in Spain, people would go out of there way to avoid him, me included, but he somehow believed he was popular and well respected. His facebook page header was a picture of someone elses yacht, his twitter feed was also littered with him posing next to fancy cars which were obviously not his. The guy actually lived in a rented single room and his most valuable pocession was a bike.

 

[AllUpHere]

I knew a guy like this in Spain, people would go out of there way to avoid him, me included, but he somehow believed he was popular and well respected. His facebook page header was a picture of someone elses yacht, his twitter feed was also littered with him posing next to fancy cars which were obviously not his. The guy actually lived in a rented single room and his most valuable pocession was a bike.

I think everyone knows someone a bit like that. It's the same as the guy in the pub who thinks he's a bit of a 'ladies man'. 9 times out of 10 the ladies think he's a bit of a tit too.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Some people get a lot of LinkedIn and some of us dont . I find it full of dreamers unlike here where I have long term contacts with decades of experience in their field

whereas I gave yet to see a deal from this platform. Actually, I barely even mention my primary business on here because it encourages the wrong type of lead

I don’t seek leads or deals on LinkedIn either, I just connect with people who are involved with my target sector or in the fit out supply chain and interact with them.

sometimes I connect with people just because they are funny or interesting. As on here, I always disconnect from moaners and miserable gits.

 

[Mark T Jones]

There used to be a member on this forum claiming to be some kind of networking expert. I think he tried to set up a business teaching people how to network successfully; I'm pretty sure it failed. He also claimed that cold calling wasn't dead and set up an office supplies business with it's main promotional focus being cold calling. Pretty sure that failed too.

The moral of the story is, those who think they are networking gods, are the ones everyone else avoids because they think they are a bit of a tit. Those who naturally make connections without even knowing they are networking are the ones to emulate.

marketing as a whole tends to attract this - self proclaimed gurus selling their magic formula for networking/LinkedIn/SEO/video

kind of a shame because it does undermine those who are actually good at what they do

 

[Marcus A. Wright]

I would say I am pretty experienced at business networking and have probably attended hundreds of event over the years. However what I have realised is there is much better uses of my time.

Building one to one relationships with very specific people is way more valuable than spending two hours in a room full of random people. Even writing content for my website that pays dividends for years to come.

So sadly there has been no "zoom" networking for me this last 12 months!

 

[steps to grow]

If it's not confidential, I'd be interested to know how you use it.

I actually sell Linkedin and copywriting services through my own agency and one thing I've learnt about Linkedin is NOT to sell. Build relationships through networking and if a prospect needs what you have then they know your there and can help. The sales side should be done using 'sales navigator'. Selling through the add me/messaging malarkey is the number one turn off so why people still do it is anyones idea.

I use Linkedin extensively. I have join Groups relating my business and general interests. I go in answer questions, post suggestions and build conversations that way. People also create one off events/webinars as you would do a face to face conference which is also useful. I also use this site and Warrior Forum which might of use to you in your line of work

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

I've tried. LinkedIn is just a mash up for me. Have no idea how to use it.

I'm just a small 1 man band with a taxi company, I sometimes cant cover work so have 2 or 3 drivers that cover work.

I don't now if actual networking will work for me as its difficult to network locally as most other businesses use the big company's around here anyway.

Networking is reaching out to and engaging with people who would use your business. There should be nothing too difficult about that providing you know who they are?

What are your Unique Selling Points (USP's)? Do you have anything that differentiates what you do that the bigger companies don't? If not create some!

We are surrounded by Taxi companies but for Airport Runs we use a chap who runs a couple of 8 seater VW Minibuses that are immaculately turned out, leather upholstery, plenty of space, with morning papers and bottles of water if we want them. (Overkill for us but...) The driver is always booted and suited, punctual, polite etc., and knows all routes, back roads, side roads, traffic and even on occasions, the weather forecast for the country we are heading to. There USP is just being smarter than the rest, and that's what he networks to potential customers.

 

[NT8SeaterTaxis]

Thank you for the advice Lucan Unlordly,

As for a USP, most of the companies around here are your normal big companies that do nothing like that, so yeah your right offering something a little different would help. Ill definitely take that on board and try and think of some ways I could offer a better service, like morning papers, refreshments etc.

Airport runs are a big part of what I do (I also run an 8 Seater Vauxhall Vivaro) and being suited and booted for those jobs is something I always do. Regardless of customer.

With regards to people who use my business, and me knowing who they are. Its a tough one to call, its so diversified. I have an on going contract with a local authority to take SEND children to school, From there I could have a local lady in a wheelchair going to a doctors appointment and straight from there to Charlie the local druggy who is appearing in court. I would love to be able to pick and choose my customer base but I would see it as losing out on a possible journey if I didn't accept an incoming call. I read posts and comments on here regarding this very situation and i struggle to figure out how I would use that and know which people I'm trying to attract, when in reality I'm trying to attract all manner of people. Don't get me wrong outside my contract with the council, Id love to have multiple airport runs 2,3 or even 4 times a day but there just isn't the work, even in a busy city with a an international airport like Newcastle. So when I get a call from betty to take her to the doctors I cheerfully say yes love, what time? and likewise with the "other" sorts I tend to get in my taxi.

Again I appreciate that advice and I will try to come up with some new features, USP's and think of ways I could just offer a better service. I may even put up a post and ask for peoples recommendations of what they would be happy with from a journey.

Thanks again

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

@NT8SeaterTaxis

You know your in the taxi game when your posting at 2am on here

 

[Guy Incognito]

Yes, I network - I'll reach out to people in a similar space to us to see if they are happy to share some advice. I've found that most founders are willing to help. Equally I try to pay it forward by speaking with aspiring entrepreneurs who are in the same position I was about 5 or so years ago when they reach out to me.

 

[AllUpHere]

@NT8SeaterTaxis

You know your in the taxi game when your posting at 2am on here

Even @Mr D has a couple of hours off in the early hours.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Yes, I network - I'll reach out to people in a similar space to us to see if they are happy to share some advice. I've found that most founders are willing to help. Equally I try to pay it forward by speaking with aspiring entrepreneurs who are in the same position I was about 5 or so years ago when they reach out to me.

they must have changed since my day. Back then there were no aspiring entrepreneurs, just a dull and predictable room of life coaches, MLMs, professions and the inevitable florist, who knew they would get a sale from someone who didn’t have a lead to pass over the table.

 

[pkpolymers]

Networking is the key. As an entrepreneur you need to keep moving and meeting. The more people I meet the more business I end up with. It doesn't have to be interest based networking because it gets obvious and boring. It's just about leaving a pleasant image and pass on the knowledge about what you do for a living. Some day someone will eventually need you or refer you to someone who does.

 

[Elena Steiner]

LinkedIn only. I find it useful although don't use it that often