As a business owner, have you ever considered connecting to other business owners? It doesn’t have to be competitors per se, but businesses that can actually benefit your own business. All businesses need to have customers and make a profit, and other businesses can help.
Sure, there are vendors like suppliers and even certain services (such as outsourcers) that are known for helping your company. Chances are you have several business contacts for certain things like marketing, IT, and maybe even specific products like architectural metal panels.
But overall, how can you connect with other business owners?
Keep reading to find out more!
Networking Events are Ideal
Networking events are a great way to get your business in front of people who may be interested in working with you. By meeting other professionals, you can learn from their experience and perspectives, which can help your own business grow.
In addition, networking events can also help you identify potential suppliers or investors. Creating and attending networking events can be difficult, but it’s important for your growth as a business owner. These events bring like-minded professionals together in a relaxed environment, which is perfect for building relationships.
So why not just use LinkedIn instead when it comes to connecting to other businesses? Well, LinkedIn can technically be a great option; however, is it really worth it? You need to consider that you’re not getting that personal approach. Plus, some people dislike cold emails from LinkedIn too. In the end, that personal approach from a networking event is far better for connecting.
Online Networking (to a degree)
Alright, as stated above, LinkedIn isn’t always ideal. In fact, for the most part, social media isn’t always ideal for connecting to other businesses. While they may not be perfect, there are some benefits to solely networking and finding other businesses to connect with. It allows you to connect with other business owners from all over the world instead of just your local area.
You can meet new people and grow your relationships in a number of different ways, including webinars, online recruitment fairs, and one-to-one Zoom meetings. If you have a specific question about how to deal with a particular problem, you can turn to your networking connections for advice.
They may have experienced similar issues and can offer helpful advice that you can implement in your company. You don’t often get this online, but just keep in mind that there will be less of a personal connection compared to online.
Referrals Help
Just as customers will turn to loved ones for referrals, it can be similar to a business owner looking to connect to other businesses. After all, the goal is a partnership or some sort of customer/ client relationship that you’re after, right? So why not consider these? Maybe you can hunt around for referrals for a particular business. Even something like Facebook groups and forums can be ideal for this. Overall, this can be a great option that you can look into.
