How To Build A Business Network Without Going Networking

I meet people who are successful in business who wouldn't set foot in a networking group to save their lives. I'm married to one. My husband has run a successful architectural consultancy for many years without networking ...

He will maintain he doesn't do any marketing and that he would say he is not a natural networker. You won't find his website as he doesn't have one and he isn't a member of Facebook, LinkedIn and has never tweeted in his life. What he does have is a a group of related professionals who call on him when their clients or contacts need the sort of architectural support he provides.

Oh and he's very good at what he does. I'm sure if he had added in more diverse marketing activities he could have received more business, but his order book has stayed full, and he has no wish to grow his practice larger than himself (see my blog on the subject a few weeks ago).

"His heart is in delivering his particular expertise!"

So if you're like him and dislike attending events full of strangers with whom you believe you have little in common, then this blog post is for you. I'll share with you some tips on how to build your network of contacts by mixing with the right people.

Start with the people you already know

Sounds obvious, doesn't it? Amazing how many people think when they come out of employment that they are starting from zero. Ideally, start garnering your contacts before you leave your job.

The first thing to do is to develop a list of all the people you know in business. It doesn't matter how you know them; if they are in business and they know you, they may be able to help you either directly or through other people they know.

People to include are:

- Existing ( if you haven't left yet) or ex-colleagues
- Bosses you have had
- People who have reported to you or you have mentored or supported
- Ex suppliers or consultants, collaborators you've worked with. However long ago.
- Past clients (even if you have a time restriction in contacting them, that time will run out)
- Family, friends and other social contacts.

Establish contact starting with those whom you have a strong relationship and work outwards to people you have lost touch with or knew less well. Always re-establish contact with checking in on what they are doing. Show real interest in their concerns as you may be able to help ... if not now then later.

Then let them know what you are doing and ask for help. People like helping others who they like. Be prepared for what help you want from that individual. Make a list beside their name and start by asking for something small, maybe they can put you in touch with someone who can help you, or have the contact details of someone you both knew. They may surprise you by offering something bigger.

Whatever you ask for, remember to return the favour and most importantly agree on how you are going to stay in touch. The most obvious one is to report back what happened as a result of their help and thank them for whatever the outcome. Remember your common courtesies. Now, what else can you do for them?

A Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database is a wise investment to keep track of the people you know and meet right from the start and what you can do for each other.

Seek out, new like-minded people

You are going to need to know some new people and the good news is that these need to be the sort of people you like to mix with anyway. People who are interested in the same sort of things as you. They will have clients similar to the sort of clients you want. Many of them may offer complimentary services to you.

Going back to the example of my husband, builders are obvious members of his network. That's great, they speak his language and won't get bored if he talks shop all evening.

Mixing with the right people for you means you don't have to listen to other people's small talk. If you're building a lasting relationship - whether you're highly sociable or a bit of a recluse - those people you mix with will soon spot if you're not genuinely interested in them. We humans are great at spotting phonies.

Where will you meet these marvellous people? I know, I know, I promised you didn't need to go networking. I never said you didn't have to go out once in a while! Hold onto the thought that you will be mixing with people who have similar interests, and who like talking about the sort of things you like to talk about.

So if you're into golf, join a golf club. Try out professional organisations relevant to you or your clients. The same goes for your choice of exhibitions, seminars or other events to attend.

Don't forget your social media

It isn't all about fluffy puppies and what you ate at the restaurant last night. The wonderful thing about online networks is you can check out different platforms and groups and find the right sort of people having the right kind of conversations and, you can leave whenever you wish.

Which brings me full circle back to the people you already know. Who can they introduce to you? The chances are, if they know and like you, then they know similar other people too.

As you can see there are many ways of building a network and most of them don't involve early morning eggs and bacon with a room full of strangers. So enjoy building your network with bright interesting people who you would like to help and would feel comfortable asking them for help in return and build a successful business for yourself.


If you'd like to learn more about referral marketing then do give me a call on 07970 638857 and let's have a chat and see how I can help you.