It's Who You Know: Building Your Network

Everyone has heard the phrase: "its not what you know, but who you know". I have heard alot of people claim that their home town or city is a "word of mouth town" and this statment is no more evident than in the City of Victoria. We really are a 'word of mouth" town.

Everyone knows of someone who got a job or an advancement because he or she "knew the right people". The truth is knowing the right people can't hurt. Knowing the right people leads to career and or business opportunities.

We all have a "guy"; you know that person that comes to top of mind when your neighbour or colleague asks if you could reccomend someone that can perfom a service or complete a job.
You need to position yourself to be that "guy"(person). One way to become that "guy" is to build your network.

You can pay to advertise your business in a local newspaper, the phone book, business directories and other media. Some marketing studies suggest that consumers to need to see your ad an average of 28 times to be effective. We have all seen commercials we remember and still do not know what product is being sold. You could literaly spend Tens of Thousands of Dollars to have people see your ad and become aware of what you do. Building a network of "fans" of your business can cost you as little as taking a stranger out for a cup coffee a couple of times a week.

Building your Network:

To grow your business through networking you need to put yourself out there and meet other professionals and business people. Listen to the peolple you are meeting and take an interest in their business, they may have a service you need or you may have a service they could use or they may know someone that can use your service. Its all about getting out there and letting people know what you do. So if you have not been to networking event, or it has been a while since you last one, get out their and get let people know who you are.

There are many business and professional networking groups that meet weekly or monthly in Victoria. Linda Conn "Your Business Coach" has written an excellnet e-book; Network Venue Reviews, that gives a great overivew of many of the networking opporunites in Victoria.

On Tuesday May 8th 2007, Karen Knight and Patty Kuttai will present "Circles of Success" Expanding your business through networking at Business Victoria fromm 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Registration is FREE!!
Contact me at 384-1516 to register.