Small Business Networking Ideas
small business networking ideas
Ideas for Small business networking
Networking for a small business can be a bit tricky, and because it is one of the most important elements of success, one must be careful to do it well. There are many tools out that allow small businesses to make contacts and bring in new customers, but those tools need to be used well. Trade shows, the chamber of commerce, local events and business cards are all excellent ways to help your business reach a wide and diverse audience of customers and even potential investors.
Trade shows are an exceedingly useful way to help people in the same field as you to see why your company is special. At a good trade show, countless businesses that make the same types of products as you will be present. This is your chance to show people why they should pay attention to you instead of their competitors. Time well spent at a show will allow you to make friends in the business that can help promote your products, open the eyes of potential customers and even gain publicity with anybody looking to invest in a small company to help it grow.
However, having a good exhibit at a trade show is not inherently easy. Your booth needs to grab people, and draw them in. Make sure that they are drawn in because of interest in your products, not in something else. In terms of samples and prototypes, be smart. Do not bring anything so valuable that it cannot be seen by a competitor; also, make sure that you keep a close eye out for those who come simply for the free samples. If somebody asks for a sample, find a kind way to ask for a business card or other form of credential. Every trade show has people who come in trying to make away with plenty of free products.
Also, make sure your booth is attractive, and representative of your company. Use colors that fit within the theme of your logo. It is also important to have a sense of energy around your booth. Keep the employees who work it standing, moving around and focused on the work at hand. You must, in every moment, show a passion and enthusiasm for what you offer. How else will you get customers interested in your products? In the end, a trade show can be a great way to network with other small businesses, while also showing how you stand out.
The local and national chambers of commerce are also excellent tools to help you network. Since these places are present to help the economy of your region, and the country as a whole, they are always looking for ways to support small businesses, and help them succeed. A successful business provides jobs and infrastructure that can spur the economy onward and that is what everybody wants. Therefore, continual programs are being run by the chamber of commerce trying to help small businesses grow and expand. Keeping a close relationship with the chamber of commerce can do wonders not only to keep your small business alive, but to help it thrive as well.
A third tool for small business networking is taking advantage of local events. No matter how electronically and internet based your company is, the local community still should be your most prominent audience. These individuals are within reach, and can use word of mouth advertising powerfully to enhance your small business’ public image. Getting your community to recognize you is also a first step towards regional prominence. Therefore, stay on the lookout for large community events, and make sure that you are there. If your town is having a Fourth of July Parade, get your employees together and build a float featuring your products, and how they are representative of the American way. Have a booth at community days as well. Whatever the event is, use it to put yourself in the public eye. Raising awareness is a crucial part of networking.
Business cards are a more personal way of networking. Creating a good business card is simple. Include the important information, a logo and just enough color to get noticed and you are set. From there, however, it is important to use the card well. Only give it to people who are interested, or those who you have a professional relationship with. Post it on bulletin boards in local restaurants and shops as well. Just be careful not to be that person who seems to be in a constant mode of self promotion. That will not help your business bloom. Just keep things simple with business cards, and they can be a great way to network yourself to others.
Being able to get your name and image out is a very important part of running a successful small business. Using tools such as trade shows, the chamber of commerce, local events and business cards is a great way to let people know that you are there in the community. From there, providing excellent service and a quality product will help to ensure that your small business becomes a larger, more profitable one.
About the Author
Nick Kakolowski is a freelance writer who writes about business services such as business card printing.
Need New Business Ideas?
My Friend and I are looking to start up a new small business, we have come up with a few ideas, but were wondering what you could think of.
We are both intelligent, in university, one studying marketing and the other computer sciences and network management.
No Immature ideas please.
Thankyou
=D
I have a great idea. Go onto a popular website where people share things. Ask them for their ideas, and make money out of the best answers! Easy!
|
|
Microsoft Office Home & Business 2010 – 2PC/1User (Disc Version) $279.99 Office Home and Business 2010 32-bit/x64 English US DVDUNSPSC CodeUNSPSC Code : 43231513 … |
|
|
App Empire: Make Money, Have a Life, and Let Technology Work for You $14.66 Have you ever wanted to have a business that works while you play? Have you ever wanted the flexibility to live life on your terms? How many times have you had a great idea, but never followed through on it? The world’s insatiable appetite for apps is growing at an astounding pace. Over 21 billion apps have been downloaded for Apple and Android devices alone and the market is expected to reach … |
|
|
Social Media for Social Good: A How-to Guide for Nonprofits $18.43 Based on more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit communications and 15,000+ hours spent utilizing social and mobile media, Social Media for Social Good: A How-To Guide for Nonprofits is a comprehensive 256-page hardcover book packed with more than 100 best practices covering Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0 nonprofit communications and fundraising. From building your e-newsletter list to findin… |
|
|
Guerrilla Multilevel Marketing: 100 Free and Low-Cost Ways to Get More Network Marketing Leads $7.99 Guerrilla Marketing has become a bestselling book in 62 languages for one simple reason: it works like no other marketing: to maximize your profits and minimize your investment. With more than 21 million copies of Guerrilla Marketing books sold worldwide, and the many university MBA programs offering Guerrilla Marketing, this is now far beyond an opinion. Guerrilla Marketing is the best known mark… |
|
|
Small Business Solutions for Networking $1.89 This book is in New – Excellent condition |
|
|
Computer Networking for the Small Business & Home Office $29.32 This book is in Used condition |
|
|
Global E-Business Networking $24.99 Carol & Mike Werner Global E-Business Networking – Photographic Print |
|
|
Business Networking $75 This book is in New – Excellent condition |
|
|
101 Small Business Ideas For Under $5,000 $14.96 This book is in New – Excellent condition |
|
|
Big Ideas from Small Places $11.99 Big Ideas from Small Places |
|
|
1000 Home Based Business Ideas : Innovative Small Business Ideas for the Home Based Entrepreneur $11.46 No Synopsis Available |
|
|
The Little Book of Big Networking Ideas $19.45 No Synopsis Available |
|
|
Cost-Effective Marketing for Your Business (DVD) $44.73 Marketing a business successfully does not have to break the bank. In fact, dozens of marketing strategies exist that cost business owners nothing except their time. Cost-Effective Marketing for Your Business reviews how companies, particularly those on a relatively small budget, can successfully market their programs and services. The DVD features more than 50 different marketing ideas for businesses that want to evolve from good to great. Among the topics covered: quality of service, your current client base, small cost, big return, time, networking, and follow-up, customer service, spending money to make money, and investing your time wisely. Produced in cooperation with IDEA Health & Fitness Association. |
|
|
Better Than a Lemonade Stand! : Small Business Ideas for Kids $7.3 No Synopsis Available |
|
|
Color Laser Printer with Wireless Networking and Duplex $489.99 The HL-4570CDW is a high-performance color laser printer ideal for small businesses or workgroups. Print your brochures presentations or other business documents fast (up to |
|
|
Business Networking in Der Praxis $87.7 No Synopsis Available |
|
|
Business Data Communications and Networking $102.38 No Synopsis Available |
|
|
Small Business MGBT1 – SFP (mini-GBIC) transceiver module $129.99 Cisco Small Business MGBT1 10/100/1000 Base-T Mini-GBIC SFP Transceiver gives you the ability to tap into faster networking speeds with a standard RJ-45 connection. |
|
|
Networking for Home and Small Businesses $69.95 This book is in New – Excellent condition |
|
|
MARKETING & SMALL BUSINESS ADVANTAGE $29.99 MARKETING & SMALL BUSINESS ADVANTAGE |
|
|
Small Business Internet Marketing : Ideas and Solutions for Advertising Small Businesses Online: the Sales Lead Generation Bible $13.87 No Synopsis Available |
|
|
Networking $189.99 Zora Buchanan Networking – Limited Edition |
|
|
Cisco Small Business Pro ESW-540-24P Ethernet Switch $1782.99 (4 Total) SFP (mini-GBIC) Shared 1 x Console Management 1.73″ Height x 17.32″ Width x 14.70″ Depth 10/100/1000Base-T 100 V AC to 240 V AC 110 V AC 2 220 V AC 24 24 x RJ-45 10/100/1000Base-T PoE LAN 35.7 Mpps 4 48 Gbps 5 Year Limited Also Equipped with External Redundant Power Supply Connector for External Power Supply: -48V DC Access control lists (ACLs) DoS Attack Prevention IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Head-of-line (HOL) Blocking Prevention Storm Control IGMP v1/2 Snooping Port Mirroring Small Business Pro ESW-540-24P Ethernet Switch Power Cord Mounting Hardware Serial Cable CD-ROM with User Documentation (PDF) Included Quick-Start Guide Web Based Management SNMP v1/2c/3 IEEE 802.1q VLAN IEEE 802.1p QoS RMON 1/2/3/9 Cisco Configuration Assistant 2.0 Cisco ESW 500 Configuration Utility Device Manager The Cisco ESW-540-24P, part of the Cisco Small Business Pro Series, is a group of managed Ethernet switches that provide wire-speed Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, integrated security, quality of service (QoS), and Power over Ethernet (PoE) to support all of your business network needs. These switches integrate easily with Cisco Small Business Pro products as well as the Cisco Smart Business Communications System to provide a complete data, voice, video, and wireless networking solution for your business. Cisco Cisco Systems, Inc ESW 500 ESW-540-24P ESW-540-24P-K9 Ethernet Switch Power Supply Small Business Pro ESW-540-24P Ethernet Switch Yes www.cisco.com |
|
|
Cisco Small Business Pro ESW-520-48 Ethernet Switch $760.99 (2 Total) SFP (mini-GBIC) Shared 1 x Console Management 1.73″ Height x 17.32″ Width x 14.70″ Depth 10/100/1000Base-T 10/100Base-TX 100 V AC to 240 V AC 110 V AC 13 Mpps 17.60 Gbps 2 2 x RJ-45 10/100/1000Base-T 220 V AC 48 x RJ-45 10/100Base-TX LAN 5 Year Limited 50 Also Equipped with External Redundant Power Supply Connector for External Power Supply: -48V DC Access control lists (ACLs) DoS Attack Prevention IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Head-of-line (HOL) Blocking Prevention Storm Control IGMP v1/2 Snooping Port Mirroring Small Business Pro ESW-520-48 Ethernet Switch Power Cord Mounting Hardware Serial Cable CD-ROM with User Documentation (PDF) Included Quick-Start Guide Web Based Management SNMP v1/2c/3 IEEE 802.1q VLAN IEEE 802.1p QoS RMON 1/2/3/9 Cisco Configuration Assistant 2.0 Cisco ESW 500 Configuration Utility Device Manager The Cisco ESW-520-48, part of the Cisco Small Business Pro Series, is a group of managed Ethernet switches that provide wire-speed Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, integrated security, quality of service (QoS), and Power over Ethernet (PoE) to support all of your business network needs. These switches integrate easily with Cisco Small Business Pro products as well as the Cisco Smart Business Communications System to provide a complete data, voice, video, and wireless networking solution for your business. Cisco Cisco Systems, Inc ESW 500 ESW-520-48 ESW-520-48-K9 Ethernet Switch Power Supply Small Business Pro ESW-520-48 Ethernet Switch Yes www.cisco.com |
|
|
Cisco Small Business Pro ESW-520-48P Ethernet Switch $1847.99 (2 Total) SFP (mini-GBIC) Shared 1 x Console Management 1.73″ Height x 17.32″ Width x 14.70″ Depth 10/100/1000Base-T 10/100Base-TX 100 V AC to 240 V AC 110 V AC 13 Mpps 17.60 Gbps 2 2 x RJ-45 10/100/1000Base-T 220 V AC 48 x RJ-45 10/100Base-TX PoE LAN 5 Year Limited 50 Also Equipped with External Redundant Power Supply Connector for External Power Supply: -48V DC Access control lists (ACLs) DoS Attack Prevention IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Head-of-line (HOL) Blocking Prevention Storm Control IGMP v1/2 Snooping Port Mirroring Small Business Pro ESW-520-48P Ethernet Switch Power Cord Mounting Hardware Serial Cable CD-ROM with User Documentation (PDF) Included Quick-Start Guide Web Based Management SNMP v1/2c/3 IEEE 802.1q VLAN IEEE 802.1p QoS RMON 1/2/3/9 Cisco Configuration Assistant 2.0 Cisco ESW 500 Configuration Utility Device Manager The Cisco ESW-520-48P, part of the Cisco Small Business Pro Series, is a group of managed Ethernet switches that provide wire-speed Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, integrated security, quality of service (QoS), and Power over Ethernet (PoE) to support all of your business network needs. These switches integrate easily with Cisco Small Business Pro products as well as the Cisco Smart Business Communications System to provide a complete data, voice, video, and wireless networking solution for your business. Cisco Cisco Systems, Inc ESW 500 ESW-520-48P ESW-520-48P-K9 Ethernet Switch Power Supply Small Business Pro ESW-520-48P Ethernet Switch Yes www.cisco.com |
|
|
Cisco Small Business Pro ESW-540-24 Ethernet Switch $1221.99 (4 Total) SFP (mini-GBIC) Shared 1 x Console Management 1.73″ Height x 17.32″ Width x 14.70″ Depth 10/100/1000Base-T 100 V AC to 240 V AC 110 V AC 2 220 V AC 24 24 x RJ-45 10/100/1000Base-T LAN 35.7 Mpps 4 48 Gbps 5 Year Limited Also Equipped with External Redundant Power Supply Connector for External Power Supply: -48V DC Access control lists (ACLs) DoS Attack Prevention IEEE 802.1D Spanning Tree Head-of-line (HOL) Blocking Prevention Storm Control IGMP v1/2 Snooping Port Mirroring Small Business Pro ESW-540-24 Ethernet Switch Power Cord Mounting Hardware Serial Cable CD-ROM with User Documentation (PDF) Included Quick-Start Guide Web Based Management SNMP v1/2c/3 IEEE 802.1q VLAN IEEE 802.1p QoS RMON 1/2/3/9 Cisco Configuration Assistant 2.0 Cisco ESW 500 Configuration Utility Device Manager The Cisco ESW-540-24, part of the Cisco Small Business Pro Series, is a group of managed Ethernet switches that provide wire-speed Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, integrated security, quality of service (QoS), and Power over Ethernet (PoE) to support all of your business network needs. These switches integrate easily with Cisco Small Business Pro products as well as the Cisco Smart Business Communications System to provide a complete data, voice, video, and wireless networking solution for your business. Cisco Cisco Systems, Inc ESW 500 ESW-540-24 ESW-540-24-K9 Ethernet Switch Power Supply Small Business Pro ESW-540-24 Ethernet Switch Yes www.cisco.com |
|
|
Cisco Small Business Pro ESW-520-24 Ethernet Switch $449.99 (2 Total) SFP (mini-GBIC) Shared 1 x Console Management 1.73″ Height x 17.32″ Width x 14.70″ Depth 10/100/1000Base-T 10/100Base-TX 100 V AC to 240 V AC 110 V AC 12.80 Gbps 2 220 V AC 24 x RJ-45 10/100Base-TX LAN 28 4 x RJ-45 10/100/1000Base-T 5 Year Limited 9.5 Mpps Small Business Pro ESW-520-24 Ethernet Switch Power cord Mounting hardware Serial cable CD-ROM with user documentation (PDF) included Quick-start guide VLAN QoS HTTP HTTPS SNMP versions 1, 2c, and 3 RMON Also equipped with external redundant power supply connector for external power supply, -48V DC The Cisco ESW-520-24, part of the Cisco Small Business Pro Series, is a group of managed Ethernet switches that provide wire-speed Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, integrated security, quality of service (QoS), and Power over Ethernet (PoE) to support all of your business network needs. These switches integrate easily with Cisco Small Business Pro products as well as the Cisco Smart Business Communications System to provide a complete data, voice, video, and wireless networking solution for your business. Cisco Cisco Systems, Inc ESW 500 ESW-520-24 ESW-520-24-K9 Ethernet Switch Power Supply Small Business Pro ESW-520-24 Ethernet Switch Yes www.cisco.com |
