Expert Networking

Tips to Recharge
Your Small Business

| www.instamojo.com
Content
1. Introduction: 03
The Net Worth of Networking

2. Busting Common Myths about Networking 07

3. Networking like a PRO! 10

4. Networks for Your Business 17

5. Networking for a home-based business 22

6. Tools for building communities for 25

your business

7. Be a part of Instamojo’s small business 33

network - mojomeets

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 02

CHAPTER 1

Introduction: The Net

Worth of Networking
Everything is a network. Our bodies, our societies, even the
universe is an invisible network of radiation invisible to the naked
eye.

Over the years, networking as a concept has been gathering dust.

Subconsciously, we have all been networking at a micro level.
When you ask your friend to recommend your skills or business to
somebody - that is a form or micro networking.

In the early 90s, networking chains became a huge thing in India.

Companies were being formed on the basis of networking. People
gathered, put in money, helped more people make money. The
boom became a bust gradually, but the concept reigns large even
today. Building and belonging to a community can do a great deal
of good for us.

“ When we talk to people, we get more ideas, we open up a

dialog, and even find solutions to challenges that may be

”
stopping us from achieving great success.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 04

Over 60% smart businesses today rely on networking for a
variety of reasons:

To scale their existing business

To gain knowledge on starting a business
To raise funds for business operations
To hire and onboard talented people for their business
To solve business challenges
To make meaningful partnerships
To earn recommendations and more

On a net level, the net worth of networking is 1/3rd of any

marketing activity. A good network doesn’t just help you solve
challenges or grow your business but also serves as a great tool to
help you restart or recharge your business.

This ebook is for you if:

1. You have taken a break from your business

2. You are an introverted entrepreneur

3. You are looking to meet like-minded entrepreneurs for your

business

4. You want to gain knowledge about community building tools

5. Networking sounds too difficult for you.

6. You want to kickstart business again

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 05

In this e-book, we’ll discover how to network like a pro, the
differences between online and offline networking and how to
sustain an engaging, effective network.

Recharge your business with these effective tips from Neeraja

Ganesan - a leadership mentor, career coach and a networking
expert who has over 25 years of experience in the industry.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 06

CHAPTER 2

Busting Common Myths

about Networking
Networking just means staying connected in a business network
with people who belong to similar or related industries, skills or
business backgrounds.

There are umpteen benefits of Networking. Here are some

common stats that show the impact of Networking:

36% Boost in Creativity

43% Increases learning without distractions

57% Better chances of landing referrals

68% Better chances of landing referrals

Some immediate benefits of networking:

1. Finding ideas: Meeting individuals from different walks of life
and business allows your network to be the perfect platform to
bounce off new ideas and gain more insights.

2. New contacts and referrals: Meet potential clients and/or

generate referrals. Helps you identify opportunities for
partnerships, joint ventures, or new areas of expansion for
your business.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 08

3. Visibility: Attending offline events, online conferences, meet
ups and other networking events raises your personal profile
and can help people remember you at the right moment.

4. Problem solving: You can find solutions to any business

problem by networking. For example: if your business needs
help with bookkeeping or legal advice, you might find the ideal
hire for that department via networking. If your business needs
funding, you may be able to find an angel investor or venture
capitalist through networking channels.

5. Sharing knowledge and experience: Listen to the experts

when you network.Taking advantage of the experiences of
others before you invest time and money in a particular venture
can be invaluable.

6. Boost Confidence and morale: Business professionals are

optimistic and excited to share their experiences with you.
Regularly associating with such people can be a great morale
boost, particularly in the difficult early phases of starting a new
business. If you are not the ideal extrovert in a business,
regularly meeting new people can boost your confidence
and you could make new friends on the way!

The purpose of business networking is to increase business

revenue - one way or another. The thickening of the bottom line
can be immediately apparent. You can assess immediate results
when you see relationships developing with a new client, or
learning a new business skill/growth hacks.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 09

CHAPTER 3

Networking like a PRO!

You can network face-to-face at social events, conferences and
through industry associations. You can also network online,
through sites like LinkedIn and Facebook. The more you network,
the more your business will benefit.

It's common for people to feel apprehensive about networking,

but it's a skill you can develop with practice. The more networking
you do, the easier it will become. Often times, it helps to take a
strategic approach.

Creating a Networking Plan:

It's a good idea to make networking a regular part of running your
business. Plan your networking activities and devote a certain
amount of time and money to them. Some events are even free!

Spending money on networking can be more effective than

spending it on advertising, as it is more personal and targeted.

Prioritising your time:

Consider all your business activities and work out how much time
you can realistically devote to networking. Allocating yourself a
certain amount of time will make your networking more enjoyable
and you won't feel rushed.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 11

When you are considering your networking activities, think about
what you hope to achieve. Consider who you want to meet and
why, and think about what you have to offer. This way you can
prioritise events to attend, making your networking more
effective.

Talking about your business:

Before you go to a networking event, think about what you want

to say about your business. Research the speakers as well as the
crowd. Be prepared to meet them.

Having points prepared can help ease your nerves. You don't need
to memorise everything you want to say, but it's a good idea to
write down key points about your business and practise saying
them out loud.

Make sure you have a conversation, not a monologue about your

business. Make sure you ask them what they do when you finish
speaking.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 12

Business cards:

Yes, it might seem like an old school thing, but Make sure they
reflect your business accurately and include all the relevant
contact details, including your email and website address.

Giving your business cards to people at the event you are

personally interacting with will have a greater impact than giving
them to people with limited personal interaction.

Also read: 3 Reasons You Need a Business Card Right Now

Following up:

It's important to follow up with people soon after you meet them.
That way, you are still fresh in their minds. Offer to join their
online networks or communication channels. Subscribe to their
newsletters and attend events hosted by them. Following up on
LinkedIn is the most professional way to keep in regular contact
with people you meet to build your networks.

Develop a system:

Create a database of contacts, including details the event you

attended and what businesses you interacted with. Updating the
database regularly will help you keep track of your contacts and
ensure that you are familiar with developments in their business.
This helps you recognise new opportunities and develop your
business relationships.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 13

Tips to Ace Offline Networking Events:

Arrive early and join in groups as they are forming. Meeting

one person at a time is often less daunting than meeting a
crowd.

Give your card to people you have engaged with, but keep in
mind that networking is about building relationships, not just
handing out business cards. If you have made a promising
connection with someone, they may prefer to add your
details to their phone than take a card.

Dress appropriately. Wear comfortable shoes, carry a

practical bag or briefcase, keep one hand free, always! Make
sure you can access your business cards easily.

Avoid messy finger food and alcohol. Holding a drink and

food can make it difficult to hand out or accept business
cards or shake hands with people.

Follow up all contacts made by email, phone, newsletter or

make arrangements to meet again (e.g. for coffee).

Avoid using gimmicks to get noticed. They might help people

remember you, but it could be in a negative way.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 14

Introducing yourself

Talk casually about yourself and make sure you ask other
people about themselves and their business. You don't need
to be overly formal with people, just be polite and avoid being
too overbearing and doing the 'hard sell'.

Shake hands confidently, and smile and look people in the

eye when you talk to them.

Be sensitive to cultural differences. What is acceptable, such

as handshaking, and the relations between men and women
can vary in different cultures. It's especially important to do
some research if you know you will be meeting with people
from another culture, such as at a specific event or if you are
travelling overseas.

Conversations

Manage your time effectively by moving around the room

and talking to as many different people as possible. Practise
how to remove yourself from a conversation politely when
really necessary.

Break into a group conversation by smiling and say

something like 'Do you mind if I join you?'

Prepare some conversation openers such as 'What type of

business are you in?'

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 15

Learn useful techniques to remember names, such as
repeating a person's name back to them (e.g. 'Good to meet
you, Bob!').

Actively listen to the people around you. Networking is about

both receiving and giving information.

Keep discussions non-political and avoid controversial sub-

jects and social and personal issues.

Avoid probing for information that is likely to be confidential.

Be positive and professional. People don't respond well to

negativity, and complaining about your business or someone
else's may make them feel uncomfortable.

Treat everyone equally. You never know where people will

end up in the future and how they might be able to help you,
so don't disregard someone because you believe their rank
or position to be lower than yours. Speaking with everyone
also offers more opportunities.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 16

CHAPTER 4

Networks for Your

Business
Networking options are broad and continually changing. You may
need to research networking trends to work out which ones best
suit your business.

Once you begin networking, it's likely you'll start to receive

invitations to more events from people you meet. Before you know
it, your networking group will be growing.

Different Types of Networks you can be a part of:

There are 3 types of networks: operational, personal and strategic

Operational networks: Operational networks include direct

reports, superiors, people with the power to block or support a
project, and key outsiders such as suppliers, distributors and
customers. For example, Angel investors who could potentially
invest in your business.

Personal networks: Personal networks can provide important

referrals, and people who can offer information and often
developmental support, such as coaching and mentoring.

Strategic networks: Strategic networks provide opportunities to

look at the bigger picture through mentoring, or simply give a
different perspective on your business idea.

All types of networking overlap, but strategic networking will

provide the most immediate impact on your organisation. You
should always look to expand your network as opportunities can
be accidental. What makes a social network so powerful is its
referral potential, which can expand your network.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 18

Conferences and events:
Get into the habit of regularly attending breakfasts, seminars,
lectures and lunches that are held by various groups. These events
are usually advertised in newspapers, business and trade maga-
zines or online. You can invite others in your field or from your
local circle to attend as well.

Business contacts:
If you're too busy to attend lots of events, focus on developing
relationships with just 3 or 4 key people. Strengthen your relation-
ship with contacts you have a good rapport with. Consider con-
tacts who might face similar challenges to you and work out how
you might be able to help each other.

Industry associations:
It's a good idea to join networking groups run through industry
associations. Joining these groups will help you keep up to date
with changes in your industry, and will get you invited to
networking events.

Networking groups:

Joining networking groups will give you a chance to meet people

from a wide range of small- to medium-sized businesses. Contact
your industry association and business contacts or search online,
for example on the Meetup website, to find out a networking
group that suits you.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 19

Personal contacts and social events:

Networking through friends and family can be a great way to

establish strong business relationships.
You might meet someone who could be useful for your business,
or someone whose business you can help, at a social event. If you
develop a rapport with them and exchange contact details, you
can then arrange a more official meeting with them later.

Online networking:

Online social networking sites (such as Facebook and LinkedIn) are

useful tools for businesses to create networks (with other
businesses and industry associations) and follow up with new
contacts.

Connecting with your industry online will help you keep up to date
with events. You can also sign up to online newsletters from
industry associations and other businesses and receive regular
updates about events and opportunities.

Online-social media networking:

Treat online/social media networking with the same importance as
traditional face-to-face networking.

Start with Whatsapp, Facebook and Instagram to develop your

primary community base. Find out different groups on social
media channels and pitch your business idea to them.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 20

Broaden your options by joining more than one network or group,
either online, via social media, or through industry and business
associations. Consider joining groups that your customers or
suppliers belong to. You can also:

1. Start an email newsletter for your business so you can keep

your customers, suppliers and other contacts up to date with
your activities and invite them to your own events.

2. When sending out bulk emails, make sure you are not
breaching any spam laws.

3. Learn more about doing business online - take free courses

from sites like coursera

Who should be in your network:

There are some simple questions you can ask when deciding who
should be in your network.

1. Who can help me?

2. Who knows what is going on?
3. Who already has strong networks?
4. Who are the critical links in the supply and information chain?
5. Who are the high profile people?

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 21

CHAPTER 5

Networking for a
home-based business
You need not have a brick and mortar office to have a successful
business idea. Building networks is a low-cost way of bringing
many advantages to you and your home business. For example:

1. Connecting with people helps you share information and

seek advice.

2. Scheduling regular events help streamline your calendar.

3. Sharing recent successes with others helps motivate you to

achieve your goals.

4. Attending industry events keeps you engaged and informed.

5. Interacting with others reduces feelings of isolation.

6. Making new contacts promotes your business and

encourages referrals.

Almost everyone feels apprehensive when meeting new

people, so remember: the more you network, the more
confident you will become.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 23

Network within your industry:

Home business owners primary challenges lie in keeping up with

developments in your field. It's easy to become so focused on the
day-to-day operations of your business that you don't pick up on
any trends and changes until it is too late, and your competitor has
the advantage.

Try to devote time to networking at least once a month. Join

professional or business associations or local industry groups. Set
aside a budget for networking and use this for membership and
event fees. Keep the receipts. Your financial adviser will tell you
which fees are tax-deductible.

Develop a support network:

Meet with other home business owners in your local area to share
your ideas. This type of informal networking can be as simple as
meeting for a regular catch-up to discuss challenges and receive
advice to motivate and refresh you.

Increase your network of contacts

Network with other attendees each time you attend a training
course, seminar, trade show, lecture or industry event. Bring a
number of business cards with you and make sure to hand them
out. Politely ask for one in return, and always follow up with a
short email thanking people for their time - you never know when
they may refer a client to your business.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 24

CHAPTER 6

Tools for building

communities for your
business
Networking also includes meeting potential customers who can
invest in your business once it is fully operational.

Build the right community-building platforms for your business to

grow organically. Creating an online community around your
brand helps foster better customer relationships. If you are a small
business, having full-fledged offline events may seem like an
expensive affair just to meet a few customers.

This is why you need to build online communities. Luckily, they

have tools for this.

What is Online Community building?

If your business has followers, you already have a community. You

just need to collect them and have them interact somewhere.
Preferably, an online space.

Creating an online community means gathering like-minded

customers to an outlet on the internet to have discussions, up-
dates and debate about your brand.

Just like a physical community, members get together to share

common interests. These communities are terrific places to
connect one-on-one while building relationships with a larger
audience and industry influencers.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 26

“ Every minute you spend promoting your community you
should spend 2-3 minutes trying to convert newcomers to
users.

”
- Richar Millington, feverbee.com

5 Community building platforms/tools your

business can use:

We agreed not to go offline just yet, so setting up your

communities through online forums should be your goal. To do
this, you need to know where your audiences are most active. Your
online platform is where your community will live and where most
of the interactions, conversations, and community building will
take place.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 27

Social Media Platforms:
If it is free, leverage on it. Even if your business does not have a
website, you can use social media to reach out to your customers.
This also helps you when you are starting out your business. Begin
from the ground up. Gather your followers on WhatsApp groups.
Create a Facebook Group, apart from your Facebook page and
make the group private. Your customers feel like they are part of a
club and it helps develop a sense of belonging.

Before this, find out where your customers are most active. If they
are on LinkedIn, create a group there and you can redirect them to
your other communities.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 28

Online Forums - Quora and Reddit
New to creating communities? Take a look at how forums like
Quora and Reddit are acing the community building platform
gamut.

Quora:

Quora is an online community builder that works on a Q&A system

to get people to interact with each other. On Quora, you will find
more like-minded people that you can later gather to your more
private groups. Create a Quora profile for your brand and join
Quora spaces, a new feature that allows people to curate
collections and form communities around shared interests and
tastes.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 29

Reddit:
The Reddit community is diverse. You have subreddits that are
directed toward a specific topic and different subreddits can
involve people with very specific interests. You can create your
own community on Reddit and start discussions there. Make sure
you also follow existing communities and gather intel.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 30

Tribe:
Tribe (as the name suggests) is a modern online community plat-
form that enables your customer base to connect and network
using your brand. Using this software community-building
platform helps you boost brand engagement and directly impacts
your bottom line. Its features include:

Easy login from other platforms like Linkedin or Google and

social media channels.

A social media-friendly feature like polls, questions comments

and question sharing.

Third-party integration with Zapier, Telegram and other apps.

Add widgets to your website to allow customers to engage

with other parts of the community.

A snippet of the Tribe website and onboarding page[/caption]

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 31

Meetup.com
Meetup is a community platform that helps you find local
communities. If your business is starting out, you can join different
communities suing Meetup and interact with other businesses.
You can also use Meetup to meet other business influencers.
Creating an online community using Meetup
https://www.meetup.com/ is easy and does not
require any coding skills.

Email:
Surprised? So were we when we were doing our research. You can
make use of emails to reach out to existing as well as potential
customers by creating a monthly newsletter. More than a tool, this
also acts as a good channel to redirect your customers to your
online forums.
Email is not dead. If you have a list of customers and you have
their emails, think about creating a monthly newsletter. You can
use free or paid tools to personalize your messages like Drip and
MailChimp.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 32

CHAPTER 7

Be a part of Instamojo’s
small business network
mojomeets
We discussed the fine nuances of networking to kickstart your
business once again. If you are looking to network with the right
crowd. Instamojo introduced mojomeets, a monthly networking
event that brings together entrepreneurs under one roof.

Instamojo conducted its first mojoMeets in Hyderabad, to an

audience of over 60 people. With MojoMeets, we aim to build a
community platform that encourages small businesses and
startups to come forward, together and embrace innovation.

Networking brings you closer to the world of business and helps

you take those first few steps to create your dream business from
scratch. Events like mojoMeets are a good way to be a part of
offline networking. If you are still working a day job, and want to
start your own business soon, it is never too late. Start now and
network your way up.

Expert Networking Tips to Recharge Your Small Business 34

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