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Small Businesses: How To Network Like A Pro

Small Businesses: How To Network Like A Pro
from Salesforce for SMB

Networking skills: sometimes it feels like you either have them or you don’t. Putting yourself out there at social gatherings comes so naturally to a lot of folks, while others struggle when forced to strike up conversations with strangers.

Networking can be especially overwhelming for small business teams, who usually don’t have a safety net of colleagues at networking events — or a big company name in their back pockets. Yet networking has clear benefits that can help your company and career. Not only does it expand your network of contacts, it introduces you to new opportunities, advice and opinions. Put in a little practice, and networking makes you more visible and even helps boost your self confidence.

Next week is Dreamforce, Salesforce’s annual user and developer conference, and we often hear that it’s overwhelming for small businesses to connect among the tens of thousands of attendees on site. So here are seven tips for small business leaders to use networking to your advantage — at Dreamforce and beyond.

Set a Goal

What will networking success look like for you? Perhaps it’s one or two solid contacts you enjoyed speaking to and look forward to seeing again at future events. Perhaps it’s news of a job opening at an up-and-coming company. Or perhaps it’s learning about a new product or resource for your own small business. Whatever you’re looking to do, spell it out so you can work toward it.
 
Make Contacts in Advance

Events these days often have a social component to them — like an attendee community portal or Facebook page. Make friends and get to know people ahead of time, so you’re ready for a face-to-face meeting at the event. Go ahead and put yourself out there: Post a message letting others know you’ll be at the event and want to make new contacts. Odds are, there are plenty of others looking to do the same.

Bring a Wingman

Bringing a buddy or colleague to the event is a great confidence booster. Not only is it one other person you know in the room, but your friend may be able to use his or her connections to make an introduction to someone else. Just be careful not to lean on your buddy too much; otherwise you’ll defeat the whole purpose of networking.

Educate Yourself

What issues and trends affect your business or industry on a regular basis? Before you attend an event, be sure to check out some new thinking and give yourself some talking points. TED Talks, Sal Chats, and industry podcasts like How I Built This offer thought-provoking presentations designed to encourage ideas, innovation… and great discussions.

Read full article on Small Business Trends.