You have qualified as a coach and started to set up your business. You’ve been told that you need to network and you’re ready to go forth and talk to strangers. So what do you need to know first before you take that next leap?
Before I start, let me dispel the myths around networking.
In a nutshell, networking is the process of interacting with others to exchange information or experiences for mutual benefit. There are so many ways in which you can network to build your business, get clients and get known for what you do. On top of that, it is a great opportunity to get referral partners, contacts that can help you in business and make friends with people too.
Read on for my top 5 networking tips for coaches.
1. Choose the right networking groups
There are various types of networking groups from informal coffee shop get-togethers to formal breakfast meetings. The first thing you need to do is find the right networking events for you.
It is about knowing who your ideal client is and where to find them. For example, if you want to speak with business owners, you’ll find that Mum’s groups are less likely to be effective, but if your target audience is female business owners with children, this will be a great place to start.
Many networking groups will allow you to try before you buy, and others will offer a pay per session charge. So ask around the people you know in business already – where do they go? What do they do? Or check out the trade journals or search on the internet to find groups in your area. And before making a huge investment, make sure that it is the right networking group for you and that it will give you the right returns.
When you choose the right group, you’ll meet with like-minded people, build effective business and personal relationships, and promote your business too. When you go consistently and regularly, people will get to know you. As well as talking about you, you’ll be referring others to your connections too. Read the rest of this entry »