Can Speed Networking Help Your Business?

Making connections in business is a marathon not a sprint, but is speed networking a good way to start?

The boys are back to school now. I love this time of year. I was a geek and looked forward to the new term (unlike my eldest, who thinks school is ‘lame’). Not only for the mega fun lessons, but also because I wanted to see my friends again after the holidays.

So what better time than now to get out and meet new people in the business world? As a copywriter I am a sole trader. I work by myself. I don’t have colleagues to chat to by the water cooler. But like any growing business it’s important for me to get out and talk face to face with other businesses.

Friday I had a day away from the office and attended my first speed networking event arranged by the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce, and held at the Roxburghe Hotel. Eighteen delegates in attendance and only two hours to mingle and schmooze.

Of course it’s not really about courting other businesses and trying to make a sale. Thank goodness! It’s about creating relationships. So with the beautiful and luxurious hotel as our setting we came, we met we speed-networked.

And this is what I learned:

1. I got out of my comfort zone

At first I wasn’t really nervous. Maybe because I booked my place last minute and hadn’t had time to think about it. If I had, I might have been more prepared for the challenge and discomfort I actually felt. Meeting lots of new people at once turned out to be exhausting. Explaining who I am and what I do to seventeen individuals in succession was hard work! When we broke for coffee at half time I was seriously considering walking out into the immaculately kept gardens and legging it down the drive. I’m glad I didn’t. Stepping out of my comfort zone wasn’t easy, but so worthwhile. As the morning went on I even began to enjoy it and by the end I was glad I had stretched myself.

2. I gained clarity on my mission statement

I have spent a lot of time thinking about who I am and what I provide. This was my chance to articulate it to the very people who might use my services. Would I be elevator-pitch perfect? Sadly not always. I stumbled. Things I’d planned to say didn’t sound as good as I’d expected. However the more I repeated myself, the clearer my message got and my confidence grew. I got real time feedback: what interested them when I talked about myself and my business; the things that were relevant to them. The stuff that was just guff I thought sounded good. And their views on how copywriting might benefit them and their business gave me the best insight into how I can help. Talking to others about my business helped me hone in on who I am and what I do. More importantly what potential clients need me to do.

3. I cultivated professional relationships

As I said we weren’t there to schmooze, but to engage with each other and share ideas and experiences. Meeting, chatting, exchanging business cards: These were just the first baby steps in creating a professional connection. We all came from different backgrounds and sectors. There were sole traders, larger business owners and employees from larger corporations. There was even a representative from our local business support agency Business Gateway. Not every one I met will be a relevant link for me, nor I them, but this could be the start of some beautiful -possibly beneficial – professional relationships.

4. It reinforced how my business can help others

Despite the many differences, I realised we are all part of a wider community and it was inspiring to hear other businesses talk with such passion and authority. If only their customers and service users could hear them. But they can! Through the medium of the written word. We don’t always have the chance to engage with our customers or clients face to face which is why it is so important to get online content and print marketing right. Using the right tone of voice, emphasising the benefits and employing the facts to back it all up: my writing helps clients speak directly to their audience. That’s my job! It was the best feeling when I heard someone say: “We could use someone with your skills.”

5. I became more visible and open to opportunities

I recently moved into my office and I joked that was me now: I’d just sit in my power suit and wait for the clients to come a-knocking. In my dreams. People need, want, value my service, but they do need to know about it too! Which is why this event was so valuable for me. Other businesses got to know that I exist. Businesses that may need my services and businesses who were in different, but related fields such as marketing and brand creation. People do business with people as they say, and more likely with people they know. So there you have it. I may not be the slickest schmoozer (yet!) But I am looking forward to building on what I’ve learned next time. When you are running a business there is always so much to do, but taking time out to attend the speed networking event was time well spent.

Save time by hiring my services as a copywriter and you might be able to do more things like speed networking.

Get in touch. I’d love to help. Rachel