When looking for potential customers, clients, and buyers, one must understand that he or she needs to go with the flow. Back in the day, when access to the internet was practically non-existent, marketing companies or professional freelancers reel in their potential customers either via word-of-mouth or by accessing different kinds of media (television, newspapers, flyers, etc.), but ever since we have stepped into the twenty-first century, people and technology have moved up and onwards, and can receive information in lightning speed.
Keeping up with this flow is a must if businesses want to keep standing in this day and age. This won't be a problem for big companies because they are able to access proper resources, materials, and costs. For smaller businesses and freelancers however, staying afloat in a competitive atmosphere can be proven difficult. Luckily, there is a solution that can deal with this problem, and that is by having a proper network.
What Does Networking Mean?
To put it simply, networking is a system which allows businesses, like the ones owned by freelancers, to find and connect to an audience. This system also helps companies look for possible employees, and spread information, advice, and the like via the internet. Now, it is important because it is the fastest way for something or someone to be noticed.
The internet is an infinite space wherein information is passed from one place to another, in lightning speed. When a certain business wants to get noticed, they just simply post a message, an article, or any type of information that will benefit a specific audience into the system, and spread it across the space by sharing the content.
This method also works when it comes to putting smaller or independent businesses on the marketing map, however, the numbers of audiences they are exposed to, cannot be matched as to those being produced by bigger companies.
If you are a small business or a freelancer and are having trouble with getting more views, then maybe it is about time to take a few steps back and revamp your networking style.
Places to Begin Networking
Depending on the type of network you will be working with, there are a few networking skills one must master in order to maximize and optimize your networking output. Each site and situation has its own set of quirks and rules. By being knowledgeable with what they are and what they do, you will encounter less difficulty when it comes to spreading your business or service. Also there are lots of website that provide tutorials on how to create your own website. You can always email them and build a nice relationship and network with them.
Social Networking Sites
Twitter is a perfect example of personifying the phrase: less is more. For 140 characters of less, users are able to express their thoughts, feelings, ideas, and the like to a sea of people. Other social networking sites like Facebook and Tumblr do the same thing, but can churn out more information with every post.
Thinking like a social networking site is one way to understand how the current generation interacts with one another. By simply filtering your posts into these websites, you will be able to find that specific audience that want and need your services.
Public Places
Pubs, clubs, malls, and other public outlets are always filled with people. Although it is not as easy and quick as posting online, it is a great chance to get to know your audience firsthand. You will be able to express ideas and concerns more confidently and freely, gaining fruitful responses to cultivate your business.
Volunteering
Yes, working without pay does not sound appealing, but if you have been meaning to support a cause or just want to spend some time helping another organization, feeling that you have helped someone in need is quite fulfilling. Simply helping those in need will place your business in a good place.
You must remember however, that your primary reason for volunteering is to help people and not to promote your business, so keep your visual presence professional.
Job Search Engines
This is the most obvious choice if you are looking for an audience that needs your specific expertise. Job sites like LinkedIn, Jobstreet, and Jobs180 are connected with companies who are always in the lookout for that perfect employee to join their family. It is easy to use and straight forward, and can also be deactivated once you have found the perfect client. However, you must remember that job search engines expect you to be professional. So choose accordingly when it comes to writing your resume and selecting your profile picture.
You must remember that when it comes to networking, you should not always rely on the power of the internet. Offline networking gives you a chance to meet potential clients and/or employees face-to-face, enabling you to get to know them in a personal level.
Tips on Achieving a Good Network
Now that you have chosen the perfect audience to network with, you must be able to sustain that relationship for a long period of time. Since the shifting demands of people's wants and needs are as fast as a ticking clock, you need to prepare yourself. Practicing good habits and maintaining the communication between you and your clients are just some actions you can do to prevent your business from sinking. Other traits your business must possess include:
- Pricing your products/service within a reasonable range
- Being able to organize your projects properly
- Being techno and media-savvy
- Being versatile when faced with a problem
- Being professional with clients, co-workers, colleagues, etc.
- Being honest and transparent with your clients
Having a good network of friends, clients, and colleagues can be difficult to achieve, but once you have finally established that perfect communication, you can expect that the amount of exposure and the number of potential clients your business will receive, will rise.
Also if you don't have your own personal website to showcase to your network, you could always create one. A good domain name, reliable hosting and a website builder like WordPress or Wix. There are many websites that offers free comprehensive guides and tutorials on how to build your own website that you could use to create one.