Why be the same, when you can be different? Make the Future.

Do you find business networking difficult?

As I am still quite new to business networking Leicester Futures has been quite helpful in getting me to events and chatting with people. The website is really helpful in putting names, faces and companies together so I can build a bit of a dialogue before an event where I really don't know anyone.

Is there anyone still quite new to business networking or do most people on here have a lot of experience by now? And if so do you have any tips for us newbies? :)

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Permalink Reply by Rebecca Wilson on October 12, 2011 at 11:01

Hi Upesh,

Thanks for your comments. I'm always really interested to hear how people go about promoting them selves and networking. As you have proved with your success that traditional networking doesn't always work for everyone in all industries. As I'm still quite new to the whole business networking scene I do often find myself disappointed when other businesses are more clearly interested in what they can get from you as opposed to developing a mutual beneficial relationship. Perhaps I’m still naïve and need to toughen up J.

I agree on PR agents, they are better suited to promoting brand awareness but often you cannot guarantee the success of a campaign. In your case selling your self as the brand through social media is the best way you could have gone about it and that now shows with all the positive feedback you are getting. I work for Torrwaterfield so as accountants we have to go about it differently from all other industries. It is only recently that the ACCA have allowed accountants to openly advertise and be competitive with how we promote our business. Accountants usually get most of their work through referrals so a lot of good old fashioned business networking is needed. But as their new marketing person I’m currently thinking up new ways to get our name out. Social media and creative ventures are areas that accountants are still quite new and many have no intention of trying. I’m quite lucky that Torrwaterfield are very open to trying new things without the hard sell that many go for. I’m in the marketing equivalent of a kid in a sweet shop! It’s great.

Social media like Linked In are fab for getting to know individuals and Twitter is great for letting people know about us as a company. The Futures is perhaps ideal ground for me as it allows me to mix both of these together. I get to connect with people online but know there will be a set date that I will get to meet these people and socialise. I’m not very good at traditional networking lunches as I never know how to start a conversation as I would prefer to get to know an individual rather than what they are selling. Maybe the problem is there needs to be more groups like the Futures Network where it is more informal, so more chatting about what we do rather than swapping cards.

P.s EGL Magazines? As in Elegant Gothic Lolita? Me and my friends are all part time gothic lolitas, I may have to grab you to have a chat about that at the Lifestyles Event!