Personal branding and marketing yourself properly is important for building your customer base and enhancing your audience relationships. Networking for business owners is essential for spreading your message and expanding your contacts. Here are 4 common networking mistakes to avoid.
4 Networking Mistakes to Avoid
- Not Building Relationships
Using social media channels to broadcast deals and sales at your company is great for spreading the word, but how often are you engaging with your fan base? Post content that gives helpful advice, asks questions and has entertainment value in addition to sales-related posts to build better customer relationships.
- Not Sharing Your Knowledge
While your trade secrets may be important, you should share as much of your knowledge as possible with your audience. If you don’t, your competition will and your business may not look approachable, or worse, less credible. Have a business blog where you share tips and tricks about your field, making you appear as the industry leader.
- Staying Online
While social networking sites are excellent for connecting you to hard-to-reach demographics and starting conversations, it’s a mistake to keep all communication online. Sometimes face-to-face is the best way to hold a meeting or meet a customer. Consider getting out and involved with local business showcase events or trade shows to meet new clientele in person.
- Not Following Through
If you meet people who will make excellent contacts for your company, remember to follow through and keep in touch! Send a thoughtful email shortly after meeting them and follow up often to keep establishing a solid connection. You never know when you may need your contacts’ help.
Broadcasting only sales material, not sharing knowledge and not following through are all networking mistakes you should avoid. For advice on reaching your target publics, managing your brand’s reputation or help with networking for business owners, contact your team at Three Girls Media today for a free consultation!
Photo Credit: Garfield Anderssen
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