Networking 101
by Molly Ritterbeck
While Facebook
has 1 billionusers,
there are still people
without profiles.
Not everyone has
a Twitter handle,
and there are
people lacking a post gym
selfie on Instagram. Now, I am
sure you are asking yourself :
What is wrong with these people!?
Social media is a booming industry. These sites can give
your business exposure, connect you to new clientele,
and strengthen your current customer loyalty.
Companies do not want to miss the free and inexpensive
marketing offered by social media. In fact, many businesses
are creating positions to ensure that all ends of this new
advertising market are utilized effectively.
With online advertising growing exponentially, face-toface marketing is becoming a lost art. Despite this trend,
there are people who are successfully utilizing grassroots
marketing techniques such as phone calls, live meetings,
and printed advertising materials. Physically contacting
potential customers or future partners allows personal
relationships to form, which will foster the development
of customer loyalty.
Although you may not be comfortable physically interacting
with clients in a live setting, this is just one of several
essential functions associated with being a successful
business owner; accounting, dealing with irate customers,
and struggling through those dreaded burpees are just a
few more. While you do not enjoy these tasks, they are
still vital to your business’s success. Luckily, there are
also ways to become more comfortable with speaking to
people about the services or products you offer.
If you are a shy person who would rather drink tar than
speak with people face-to-face, start slow. Toastmasters
International is an organization that helps people gradually
overcome their fear of public speaking. This organization
can teach you how to prepare for your audience and how
to present your results.
Social media does work well for obtaining new clients,
but do not underestimate the power of live networking.