Along with the regions finest, yesterday found me schmoozing my way round the Huntingdon Business Fair. Dire venue but packed to the rafters with quality businesses plying their wares.
It was a great opportunity to meet lots of new contact but also to have a much needed catch up with old contacts and friends. You'd be surprised what you can glean from a catch up over coffee! Social media is all very well but personal meetings are a necessary part of networking.
As I was chatting to a pleasant chap about scanning, a wave in the distance caught my eye and a mental note was made to track the waving hand down for a catch up. Conversation finished I continued "working the stands" until the owner of the hand was free. She said that she had just been talking about me but assured my concerned face that it was all positive (phew).
She then introduced me to a chap who wanted to pick my brains about goods and services which I was happy to do. This new contact has led to another contact who I shall be following up today.
The power of networking is invaluable and getting to know your contacts, learning about their business enables you to introduce them to your contacts in a professional manner.
If you don't network, you don't get to widen your business contacts and fewer people will be talking about you to your potential customers.
Networking is a highly effective way of marketing you business but remember that it is a 2 way street.
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