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When you run your own business, you quickly learn how important it is to be able to rely on those around you. And building a strong support network has never been more important than during a global panedmic, where many of us have been siloed from our communities and customers. Here are our top 7 tips for building a value-based network of like-minded businesses, and how to foster and maintain those connections in meaningful ways. 
 

1. Define your networking goals
If you don't define your goals, how will you know if your networking efforts are paying off? Set aside time at the beginning of each calendar quarter to set some goals for yourself and the business that include a range of social, activity-driven and conversion driven events. For example, when attending an event, set a goal of having 3 meanginful conversations with new people that are NOT about your business, or reach out to 5 small businesses on social media and try to connect with their owners. Keep track of these goals and review your progress at the end of every quarter and identify any conversions that have arisen as a result of your efforts. 
 

2. Find or become a mentor
Especially if you're a solo/entrepreneur just starting out, finding a mentor can open up a range of opportunities for networking and may even help get you on the inside track to organizations that would have been out of reach. Mentorship will also offer you opportuntiies to practice your networking skills, and develop other complementary skills to elevate your business. And if you've been in the game for a while, mentoring the next generation not only helps to build community, but can also lead to networking opporutnities for yourself with other employee levels within your organization, or can even expose you to new industries. 


3. Join relevant small business organizations
There are many organizations out there that provide huge value to small businesses and entrepreneurs. The local Chamber of Commerce or small business enterprise centre can provide you not only with opportunities to meet other business owners, but also access to services such as accounting, counsulting and marketing that may give your business a boost. And partnering with other small businesses that are apart of these organizations can help you both grow through knowledge/service sharing and cross-promotion! Industry or demographic-specific groups such as Women in Business organizations or social impact centres can also provide instand value-aligned connections that you may not otherwise be able to tap into. 
 

4. Volunteer your time or services
Grab a seat on a non-profit board, host a charity event, get involved in local government or advocacy about local issues, or donate your products/services in kind are great ways to spread the word about your company and its values, all while creating a lived impact in the lives of your community members. You'll also be able to connect with new businesses, new customers, and may be able to evolve on-going partnerships with other organizations. 

5. Be selective about the events you choose to attend
The life of a business owner is always pressed for time, so choose events that have the best potential for ROI for your business. Consider the size of the event, the cost, and type of industry it's in, and who the potential attendees might be - is there potential for you to connect with your ideal customer? Ideal business partner? What's the potential for exposure, and how prepared are you? 

6. When you attend event, come prepared and follow-up
If you only had 5 seconds to explain to someone knew what you do or what your business does (and who your ideal client is), could you distill all of that information down into a sentence or two? This "elevator pitch" is a key component in networking. PROTIP: Make the pitch about the person you're networking with, not about you, but focusing on what value your business offers and not necessarily what it does. Also make sure that you have business cards (digital and/or print), and any other relevant materials on hand a working website that's ready to capture leads with an easy-to-use contact form. And before you go, take some time to do some research about other potential attendees, what they do, and what your business could offer to them so that if you meet, you are prepared to have a meaningful (and memorable!) conversation.  After the event, make sure to follow-up in a timely manner with a personalized email that recalls some of the details of your conversation to leave a better impression. 

7. Get creative about where you network 
Networking isn't just about attending in-person events anymore, and as a small business owner, you need to explore and capitalize on all avenues of opportunity: social media collaborations can be great for product-based businesses where you can gain mutually benefical exposure through cross-promotion. LinkedIn can be great for service-based or social-impact businesses, where business and values-based conversations dominate the stream. Virtual conferences, meet-ups, and skill-building workshops can connect you with other businesses within your industry and/or those looking to develop similar skills. 


And of course, remember that regardless of where you're networking or who your talking to, the mantra of a meaninful conversation is always HELP, don't sell. Be authentic and provide value, and you'll no doubt leave a lasting impression.