It’s not often that I come across people in business who have no idea about building relationships. I suppose when you start out you go through a bit of a spamming stage of wanting to shout out to the world of what you do but this subsides quickly once you have to really get down to business. Warning: You can’t build your business without real relationships. You need to network and be interested in people not just pretend to be interested but really be interested. Here are my top tips for building relationships.
If I haven’t meet you or conversed with you online don’t inbox me your sale pitch
Huge mistake, big mistake and a rookie mistake. Don’t inbox me or ring me talking all about yourself and flogging your wares to me. I don’t know you and I don’t care what it is that is going to change my life or my business I have no relationship with you. When you don’t care about me and you only want my money. Bing Bong you are gone.
You need to be authentic
If I am really your target market and you want a relationship with me. Care about me. Actually be real and not a fake, fair weather relationship. At Mumpreneurs WA we have built real relationships with each other, we care and we support each other. It’s meaningful. I don’t get spammed and love to share at any stage businesses of our Mumpreneurs when ever I can help them and I know they do the same for me. Why? I know they care about me and I care about them as people and I care about the friendships. It’s not rocket science and it’s really that simple.
Get out and start networking
It’s like snail mail you just can’t beat it. The same with real, face to face networking. You need it. You can’t network all the time and be everywhere as you won’t get any work done. But it’s vital you do network with your target market. There are many great networking and business groups. My favourites of are Mumpreneurs WA (lol of course and you can network with your kids), District 32 is insanely good value for all the events and business support you get and Joondalup Women in Business where you get invaluable business education. Not only do get to build the relationships with other business women but you can form great alliances with other businesses.
Business relationship building can take some time. I am not a shy or reserved person and I found it hard when I first started business networking. The groups I am involved with are so friendly and warm it’s hard not to keep going back for more. This is all a part of building your brand and your business.
What are your favourite business networking groups?
Cheers Julie xx