For many small businesses -- especially those in the construction industry -- word-of-mouth marketing is critical to building name recognition and consumer trust in the business. A robust network of clients and colleagues can become advocates for your company, as well as connect you to vendors, suppliers and distributors, and can help you find everything from employees to rental properties to used equipment.
If you are like so many business owners out there, you may worry about the time commitment involved in checking on social media or attending networking events. Networking doesn’t have to be as time-consuming as you think, however -- with a little planning, it can be both quick and effective. Here are some tips for efficiently and effectively building your contact list:
Turn to your local community first
Attend local events, volunteer when you can and make it a point to meet other local business owners. Introduce yourself and hand out your business card wherever you go.
Do not forget to utilize the services of your local Chamber of Commerce; it's there to help you grow your business, and it offers many opportunities for you to connect with other businesses, consumers and local officials. This is a great way to collaborate with others on projects, events and promotions.
Maximize the time you spend at networking events
Attending a conference or other industry event or events geared specifically for small business networking will allow you to meet many people in a short time. To make efficient use of your time, plan to set goals for each event you attend -- for example, "I will connect with at least three painting contractors on Saturday" -- then create your agenda for the day. Plan which seminars, breakfasts or lunches, booths and keynote speeches you will attend, ensuring that you choose the sessions that will help you meet your goals. Go a step further and mark on a map of the venue where you need to be and at what time to truly make your day productive.
Be sure to focus on quality -- not quantity. Your time is much better spent having meaningful conversations with a few people who can help you grow your business than handing out hundreds of business cards.
Tap into social media
Many experts suggest that you focus on one or two social media accounts, rather than spreading yourself too thin trying to cover all of them. That way you can focus small intervals of time each day on providing high-quality content and growing your followers or connections.
LinkedIn is ideal for showcasing your business acumen while reaching out to other professionals, whereas Facebook is ideal for connecting with customers and other people who are already familiar with you. Twitter is best used for increasing your brand recognition and visibility. Other sites like Pinterest and Instagram are great for sharing images that spark interest in your business. Pick one or two social media accounts and then set aside 30 minutes a day on growing your connections.
As you can see, building your network doesn't have to be an exhaustive process. Solid planning and a brief daily time commitment can allow you to grow your network quickly and efficiently. Just be sure to remember this golden rule of networking (and life): Give more than you receive. Help other people first by connecting them with others and by providing useful information and advice. If you do that, they will reciprocate and your network will grow.