Stop hiding! It’s time to get out there. 10 tips for overcoming the resistance to networking.
Networking is an essential part of building a successful business, but for many small business owners, the idea of networking can be daunting. Whether it's fear of rejection, lack of time, or a lack of confidence, there are a variety of reasons why small business owners may be resistant to networking. But it's important to understand that networking is not just about selling your products or services, it's about building relationships and making connections. And in today's ever-changing business environment, making the effort to build a strong network can be the difference between success and failure. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the common reasons why small business owners are resistant to networking and strategies you can use to get over that resistance and start building meaningful connections with other professionals.
The most common resistances to networking I’ve seen from clients:
Fear of rejection: Anxiety around making a bad first impression, or not being able to hold an interesting conversation
Lack of confidence: Feeling unsure about how to start a conversation or what their "elevator speech" sounds like
Feeling overwhelmed: Not knowing where to start or where to meet people
Being an Introverted Person: Not feeling comfortable and overwhelmed in group settings
Not seeing the point: Not seeing how it can help generate new leads or referrals
Here are a few strategies for overcoming resistance to networking as a small business owner:
Start small: Instead of diving into large networking events or trying to meet as many people as possible at once, start small by attending a few smaller events or reaching out to a few individuals for coffee or lunch. This can help you build your confidence and make the process feel more manageable.
Set specific goals: Set specific, measurable goals for your networking efforts. This will help you stay focused and motivated, and it will also help you measure your progress.
Focus on building relationships, not just selling: Instead of focusing on selling your products or services, focus on building genuine relationships with other business owners and professionals. This will make networking feel less transactional and more enjoyable.
Use technology: Online networking tools through social media and networking sites can help you connect with other business owners and professionals in your community without the need to physically attend networking events. When I lived in New England, I had a lot of success with networking in the Boston Business Women Facebook group. Clients of mine have had success with sites like Meetup and Eventbrite, both for hosting their own events and for finding events in their area.
Take a course or workshop: Sign up for a networking course or workshop to learn specific strategies and techniques for building effective business relationships.
Try to find a networking group or club that aligns with your interests or industry: This way you might find it more comfortable to talk and share with people who are facing similar challenges and have similar goals.
Learn from others: Seek out mentorship or advice from more experienced business owners or professionals who have found success with networking. They may be able to provide valuable insights and guidance.
Measure the results: Keep track of the contacts you make, the opportunities that arise, and the revenue generated from networking, this will help you see the value of your time invested and could potentially motivate you more.
Refine your communication skills: Practicing communication skills like active listening and asking open-ended questions, to show genuine interest in other people, will help you feel more confident going into networking events. It helps to repare your Elevator Pitch and other relevant information, ahead of time, to have something valuable to share with people you meet.
Hire a business coach: Working with a business coach can help you work through the resistances you have, and help you come up with a game plan for defining what your goals are with networking, find the best opportunities to connect with others, and come up with a cadence for how to collect and market to your new list of contacts.
It's important to remember that networking is a skill, like any other, that can be learned and improved upon over time. By starting small, setting specific goals, and focusing on building relationships, you can overcome your resistance to networking and start reaping the benefits for your business.
