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No matter what level you're at in business whether it be pre-planning, start up, or existing, networking is key. The old saying " it's who you know " has proven true in today's economy. Networking is a business and a lot of entrepreneurs have made it a successful one. Companies like LinkedIn, facebook, and PartnerUp have provided tools to conveniently network and have proven to be assets to so many small businesses. As small business owners, we should be taking advantage of these tools to strengthen our own business.
Planning, developing, and molding our thoughts and ideas into productive business can be extremely time consuming and costly. With that said, if you're not networking to introduce your businesses products and services to the masses your are not taking advantage of the cheap advertising that these groups bring by just joining and chatting. Unless you have a deep pocket and a money tree outside, commercials, radio time, yellow pages and internet giants like Yahoo can be expensive to advertise with. On your down time, if there is such a thing, are you blogging or chatting with others through relevent discussions and including a link to your website? Do you have a website? If not, get one. It brings a tremendous amount of potential clients to discover you. The misconception is that websites are expensive, and in fact some are. There are companies out there like Tech-line Computers that offer great packages and options. Ofcourse, do your own research for what fits your budget and go from there.
LinkedIn packages start out at $24.95 per month and offer access to many other groups with in the small business community, entrepreneur community and other groups pertaining to your industry. Groups like Start up Entrepreneurs and Making of an Entrepreneur offer free discussions once a member of LinkedIn. Meeting new contacts have proven beneficial and only ads exposure to your business.
Start networking and get your ideas and efforts out there.
Check out these Network Groups for other ideas..
BALLE
BNI
LinkedIn
PartnerUp
facebook
Comments
Great advice Michael. There are further sites outside those you mention. WeCanDo.BIZ offers networking opportunities too and has network groups for BNI members, as well as interest groups such as Property and Sales & Marketing.
The site is free to join.
Ian Hendry
CEO, WeCanDo.BIZ
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