As a young entrepreneur, you have a lot of firsts ahead of you. While getting your products and/or services known on the market is a big challenge, that’s not the only thing you should be focusing on. Creating a vibrant business network in your early years can come in handy and help you continue to grow your business in the future. Some ways you can create a vibrant business network include being active on social media, attending meetups, joining professional organizations, and participating in community groups. Read on to discover how these things can help you develop your business network.
Be Active on Social Media
The most obvious way to build a network is through social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. One great benefit of social media is that you can learn about people that are in your local industry. Take some time to do some searching for industry topics and businesses in your area. Show your love by following and liking pages of those related to your business industry. This will help you to stay up-to-date with recent business information and get to know your competitors in the market. Start updating your social media practices now.
Attend Meetups
Since it is more difficult to network in person right now, you should look into online meetups. Meetups are a great way to get to know new people in and around your industry. You’ll likely want to first look into meetups regarding industry-specific information. However, if you’re having trouble finding them in your local area, then consider just general business meetups, like a virtual meetup to discuss SEO. This will help you to make connections with business owners in your area or field and can greatly expand your existing business network.
Join Professional Organizations
There are many professional organizations out there whose sole purpose is to allow entrepreneurs in a similar industry to network. You should look into local, state, and national professional organizations in your industry. Some may just require a monthly fee while others may require you to pass exams or obtain sponsorship from existing members.
Participate in Community Groups
Giving back to the community is always in the realm of possibilities for businesses in your area. In fact, community care groups are a great place to meet other entrepreneurs who are looking to make a difference in your local community. Consider participating in community projects, sitting on advisory committees, or joining local small business associations in your area. Even hosting public serve events can get you and your business on the map in your local community.
Creating a vibrant business network is what will either propel you or hinder you from expanding as the future comes. You should be utilizing the four tips above to build up your business network. Remember that your network is only restricted by your own limitations. You should be continuing to add connections throughout your entire business career.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan