How To Build An Effective Business Network In 3 Months Or Less

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Is it possible to build a business network in 3 months or less? Well, as always it depends on what you do and how you approach it. The more good decisions you can make, and the less bad, the more likely you are to thrive at the top echelons of the commercial world and get your name out there.

But what should you be doing exactly to succeed? That’s the topic of this post. We look at some of the ways you can leverage your network and thrive in a world that’s always making life harder for you.

So what tactics are essential for building a business network in less than 3 months and getting ahead in the game?

Start With Your Close Confidantes

The first place to start is with your close confidantes. You want people around you who will be with you through thick and thin, regardless of what the business world throws at you.

Start with past connections, friends, and existing associates. Tell them what you want to do and how you want to get there. Look for people who want to come on the journey with you and are willing to support you, regardless of how extreme or crazy you think your ideas are.

Look For Allies

The next step is to look for allies – people who can help you on your journey to success. You want individuals with the skills and talents you can leverage, but without a strong sense of self-interest (you don’t want them turning their backs on you in the future).

Allies should be people you can connect with on a personal level but they should also offer skills you can leverage. For instance, if you're planning on starting a hedge fund, it helps to have a math genius on your side.

Research Relevant Events

Another part of your strategy should be searching for relevant events. You need to find occasions where you’ll be able to network with people and grab their attention.

Looking for relevant events is easy these days, thanks to industry associations, social media, and sites like Eventbrite. If you can connect with people via these meetings, you immediately put yourself at an advantage and get your name out there. The more people you can meet, the more you can get your name out there and start to thrive.

Start with local events and try connecting with as many people as possible. Be the person who acts as an intermediary between others, helping to connect them and drive their businesses forward. Look for opportunities to add value instead of just selling yourself (unless other parties seem interested in what you have to offer).

Prepare An Elevator Pitch

Another great strategy is to prepare your elevator pitch. You want to be ready the moment someone asks you about your business and what you plan on doing.

Being ready to go is a sign of confidence and lets you take advantage of opportunities when they arise. You can prove your value immediately instead of having to wait for a formal situation when clients might be more on guard or need to approach you in a stricter way because of being around their colleagues.

Get Your Business Card Ready

You’ll also want to ensure you have your business card ready. Printing a few hundred so you always have some in your back pocket gives you a chance to advertise to people in person. It also makes you appear more professional and lets you provide people with your contact details, social media tags, and website information. The more you can push this, the more successful you will likely be in attracting leads.

Be Active When Listening

Whenever you network with someone, be active in your approach. Don’t wait for them to ask all the questions. Be proactive in your approach and find out whether they have someone to say.

By all means, indulge them if they are interested in what you’re doing. But ultimately, you want to find some way to provide them with value. If you can give them something (even if it’s something you’re selling) they’re likely to remember you going forward.

Follow-Up With Them Later

After meeting someone, consolidate the interaction by following up later. Send them an email or if they’re a hot lead, give them a call to see whether they want to take the relationship further. A lot of people need extra prompting to get them to take action, even if they’re interested in what you’re doing and selling.