Q&A: What are some good tips for effective networking?

Question by Coreydan: What are some good tips for effective networking?
I’m self-employed, offer drafting and editing services and really need some ways to get ahead with my client base fast. Any tips on how to meet people and build business relationships?

Best answer:

Answer by Jim K, small business columnist
Join the local Chamber of Commerce, actually get involved and start meeting people. . .tell friends, family, business acquaintances about your new business and ask them for referrals. . .look into local networking groups (BNI is one) and join one or two.

Don’t just look for business in your networking situations (though that’s what we all want). Instead, look for ways you can help the people you meet — referrals you can make, projects you can do together. Such efforts ultimately will pay off.

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3 Comments.

  1. i love self employed people – best way to networking

    First deliver quality of work and that would get you more business than any thing else.
    Having a website is a good way to keep in touch with your clients and if you can SEOd it or taken it to your clients would get some good business.
    Register in all the website where people come to place the orders like all the freelancer sites for drafting and editing services.
    If you have greens in your pocket hey there is nothing like advertising just do some smart cost effective advertising.

    quality, communitcation,advertising and a good smile can take u a long way.

  2. The chamber of commerce and the rotary club are good ways to network. However, they may not bring you more work though.

    Try to focus in on groups that could use your skills. For example, if you are drafting house plans join a local chapter of the National Association of Home Builders. Just about every trade has an association. Join the ones that are related to your industry.

    Whatever associations you choose, try not to join more than two. Any more than two and you will see your spare time and money go out the door. With your niche you may only need one.

  3. Hi There,

    Go in on the web and look up some big cooperation . Suncor, Syncrude, CNRL, etc. they are extremely large , The design group. Forward your resume. Just to name a few, I can keep on going.

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