Aug 12

5 Benefits of Networking

By Jessica Alex

If you have gotten so used to working in a silos, boy, have I got some news for you. You are truly missing out!

Missing out on opportunities for growth that is.

You see, when you are constantly alone in your business, it can actually stagnate your growth over time. This is why it’s important to get out, and network as well.

When you network, great things start to happen for you and your business. In fact, here are 5 benefits of networking:

1. You’ll gain referrals.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve gone to an event, and while networking, I run into someone who says they know someone who could benefit from my services. The more people you give yourself the opportunity to meet, the more opportunities you will have to gain new customers.

2. You’ll find people to collaborate with.

I’ve personally networked with people on social media, and it ended up with a collaboration of some sort. These collaborations exposed my brand to new people, and it can do the same for you as well!

As the African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Collaboration is an essential part of growing your business, whether it’s internal (collaborating with your team members) or it’s external (collaborating with other brands and influencers). The more you network, the more likely you will find people that you want to collaborate with.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. African Proverb

3. You’ll grow your net-worth.

Networking allows you to grow your net-worth. Remember, it’s not always what you know, but who you know.

It’s also important to have at least 5 to 6 people in your circle that are where you’re at, and even more importantly, where you are trying to get to. Jim Rohn famously said, “You're the average of the five people you spend most of your time with.” Now, whether you have more or less than five people around you, the key idea is that who you surround yourself with can influence your mindset and your success. (In other words, if there are people in your network that distract you or negatively impact you, it’s important to limit their access to you, and instead go out and find your people –– the ones that will uplift you, encourage you, teach you, and help you reach your goals.)

4. You’ll gain fresh ideas and new perspectives.

By networking, and connecting with new people, you can also receive a fresh perspective. I once attended an event over 10 years ago, and met an author. I started asking him questions about his journey to publish his book. At the time, I was an aspiring author researching how to get published. He said to me, “If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, publish your own book.” That lit an unexpected fire in me, and I went from trying to get published to starting my own publishing company, which eventually led to me starting my marketing division, Jessica Alex Marketing.

5. You’ll sharpen your social skills.

Even if you are more introverted, as a business owner, socializing and becoming more sociable, is a great way to grow your business. And “sociable” isn’t code for going to parties all the time. People do business with people they like. People do business with people who communicate and can negotiate. Being sociable and being able to hold a conversation goes a long way in doing business. Networking and holding conversations with other business people will help you improve on those skills.

Networking doesn’t have to be expensive either. You can connect with people at free events as well as online platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram. As a matter of fact, I have been able to make some amazing connections through social media.

Bonus: Tips to get the most out of your networking.

If you are planning on attending a networking event in the near future, here are some tips to help you:

Share a story (stories are memorable and will help with differentiating you from others).
Be professional, but also be your authentic self (let your personality shine).
Exchange contact information, and connect and follow-up preferably within 24 hours of the event.
Think about how you can help the person you just connected with, for instance do you know someone else that you can connect them with or refer to them?