Connect with us

Growing a Business

5 Ways to Develop Network Without Personal Meet-Ups

Published

2 years ago

on

Humans are social beings, hence, social gatherings are an integral part of life and by extension, of commerce. Meeting a group of people with the same interests, in this case for business, is an avenue to gain and share knowledge and technology. This, in turn, helps improve and expand our enterprise.

Networking group events, professional associations, and business seminars are a great way to broaden your circle. Networking events top the bill as attendees purposely seek to make new connections. Professional association assemblies provide a channel to meet people in your industry where you can correlate your career or company. Business seminar participants are a diverse group where you may find offbeat connections.

photo credit: Samson Katt / Pexels

Now that we are in the digital age, expanding your network can be done online as well. Personal meetings are indeed invaluable. However, in this busy world where traffic jams eat your time, rising fuel costs, and lots of other activities on your schedule, you should find ways to expand your network without the hassles of it.

1. Social Media and Online Forums

The most overt solution, of course. You might as well be doing it already. Joining Facebook communities or Linkedin groups is the easiest way to meet new people. The downside is that some people have a different offline personality than what they project online. Thus, one has to be extra attentive regarding the business transactions on these platforms.

Choose the social media platform that is preferred by your target audience. Facebook is still the most popular. However, Tiktok is conquering Gen Z by storm. Pinterest has a wide audience of adult females while LinkedIn caters mostly to B2B professionals.

You can also watch out for emerging social media sites. Being first among your competitors on upcoming social channels gives you many advantages. This includes establishing the ground better and original marketing content.

Then, there are website forums where discussions are often more in-depth, as people go to forums specifically to talk about that topic. Furthermore, some forums have qualification restrictions that make the group exclusive of certain demography. In this manner, your audience is already filtered allowing you to get feedback from those who will be using your product.

2. Contact Sharing Apps

Picture this, your business partner has many accumulated contacts from his previous company before your partnership. You can help him go through his contacts in promoting your newly opened business by accessing his contacts as well.

It’s not necessarily through CRM. That may be a wee bit complicated and pricey. Find a contact-sharing app that is easy to install and much simpler to use. No need for the technical knowledge of exchanging .csv files or an even lengthier process of one-by-one transfer of virtual contact files.

Shared Contact for Gmail

3. Find Your Yearbook

Aside from bringing back nice memories from your younger years, you may be surprised at who you would remember while you browse your university yearbook. The contact details may be obsolete but there’s a high probability that you can search the names online.

Some people change but some don’t. Rekindling with your former classmates may prove to be better than meeting complete strangers. With the aid of the internet, you may just be able to recollect some gems that weren’t connected with your social media profiles yet.

You can also borrow somebody else’s yearbook. If your target customers are older than you, ask your parents, older siblings, or cousins for their yearbook.

4. Scour the Internet

Take this scenario: you have developed a cleaning solution. You want to sell it to hotels and restaurants. It’s easy to keyword search “restaurants in Manhattan and contact numbers”. However, you may miss those small diners whose business is not optimized.

You can use Google Maps or any street view app for a virtual stroll in your target area and note all the establishments there. If you have the luxury of time, this will not cost any compared to marketing events. Just like any other methods listed above, you can simply be in your pajamas instead of the business attire you have to wear at networking events.

Developing a call list from the internet is the modern version of cold calling from yellow pages. You may think cold calling is obsolete but it is not. However, the calls wouldn’t be as cold and it’s not necessarily a call.

In this age of information, you can know a few things regarding the client before giving out your sales pitch. Once you find their business on Google Maps or by a simple search engine lookup, you can gain more insight about them by viewing their public profile as well.

Moreover, if you are not comfortable with voice calls, an email can work too. This works like flyering but with a bit more personalization should you choose to.

5. Hire a freelancer

If your plate is full of other stuff, you can outsource the generation of possible clients to online freelancers. There are lots of platforms to meet them like Upwork, Guru, and Toptotal. These sites gravitate toward certain fields of freelancers as well. Take time to understand which will suit your business more.

You can also choose whether you want it done by amateurs or professionals. The rates, delivery time, and quality of the database vary accordingly.

A client database is an important business tool. Just like any tool, you can buy it if you can’t produce it yourself. In this case, the tool you needed is a database of people or companies under your desired demographics. This is akin to outsourcing your marketing department like you outsource your accounting department. However, you outsource only the client list generation part and you still do the rest of the marketing and sales.

Takeaway

You may have developed your network online but nothing beats adding a personal touch to establishing business relationships. Initial meetings may be digital, even the whole business transaction can be pure online as well if your product or service allows.

However, making your clients feel they are not just cash cows secures brand loyalty and positive feedback. The way you have developed your client database or even your suppliers, be it personal or online, may mean something. Nevertheless, how you maintain these relationships will certainly impact the business more.

This post was originally published on this site

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Growing a Business

2023’s Festive Formula: Small Business Success in the Extended Holiday Season

Navigate the unique landscape of the 2023 holiday shopping season with our expert guide. Discover how small businesses can capitalize on extended consumer spending, leveraging the latest trends in personalization, online marketing, and fast fulfillment. From creating an enchanting in-store experience to mastering the digital realm, learn how to harness consumer behavior shifts for a prosperous holiday period. Get ready to transform challenges into opportunities and make this festive season your most successful yet!

Published

2 months ago

on

November 29, 2023

By

The holiday season is a pivotal time for small businesses globally. With 2023’s extended holiday shopping period and consumer trends towards affordability and unique experiences, small businesses have unique opportunities to thrive.

Understanding the Holiday Shopper

Modern consumers are trading down, seeking value while also desiring experiences and personal connections. They prefer businesses offering unique, personalized services, and community engagement. This shift opens up numerous opportunities for small enterprises.

Creating a Festive In-Store Experience

Physical stores can become holiday attractions. Creative decorations, themed events, and promotions, coupled with an omnichannel approach combining in-store and online experiences, can attract and retain customers.

Leveraging Online Platforms

A strong online presence is critical. Enhance your digital platforms with festive themes, promotions, and gift guides. Utilize AI and generative AI for personalized marketing and improve online interactions through advanced chatbots.

Harnessing the Power of Social Media

Social media offers a platform for inspiration and engagement. Utilize platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube to inspire and engage your audience. Collaborative promotions with other businesses can create unique experiences.

Personalization and Customer Service

Personalization is crucial. Use customer data to offer customized experiences and promotions. Exceptional customer service, both in-store and online, is vital to meet high consumer expectations.

Fast Fulfillment and Inventory Management

Consumers expect fast fulfillment options like same-day delivery and curbside pickup, especially among younger demographics. Efficient inventory management and transparent communication about product availability are essential.

Post-Holiday Strategies

Extend holiday strategies beyond December. Post-holiday sales, exchanges, and New Year promotions can drive ongoing traffic and sales. Use this period for collecting feedback and data analysis for future strategies.

Conclusion

The extended 2023 holiday season offers small businesses the chance to adapt and excel. By embracing consumer trends towards value, experiences, and fast fulfillment, and leveraging technology for personalization and efficiency, small businesses can enjoy a successful holiday season.

Continue Reading

Growing a Business

Unlock the Power of Email: 2023’s Ultimate Guide to Personalized Marketing Mastery

Published

2 months ago

on

November 27, 2023

By

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, email remains a cornerstone of business communication. Contrary to the whispers of naysayers, email is not an antiquated relic but a dynamic tool, continually adapting to the latest trends and technologies. In this article, we explore how small businesses can craft compelling email campaigns that resonate with today’s audience.

1. The Art of Personalization

Gone are the days of generic, one-size-fits-all email blasts. In 2023, personalization is not just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. Utilizing data analytics to segment your audience and tailor your messages can significantly increase engagement rates. Personalization goes beyond inserting a first name; it’s about crafting content that reflects the individual interests, buying behaviors, and preferences of your subscribers.

2. Mobile-First Email Design

With the majority of emails now opened on mobile devices, a mobile-first design approach is crucial. Emails should be visually appealing and easily readable on smaller screens, with responsive design and clear call-to-action (CTA) buttons. Additionally, loading times should be minimal, and images optimized for quick and efficient loading.

3. Interactive and Visual Content

Incorporating interactive elements like surveys, polls, or clickable sliders can boost engagement and provide valuable feedback. Visual content, such as infographics and videos, can increase open rates and make your emails more memorable. With the rise of platforms like TikTok and Instagram, incorporating short-form video content into your emails can be particularly effective.

4. Authenticity and Brand Storytelling

Consumers are increasingly drawn to brands that showcase authenticity and a compelling narrative. Use your email campaigns to tell your brand’s story, share your values, and build a deeper connection with your audience. This approach not only fosters loyalty but also differentiates your brand in a crowded market.

5. AI-Driven Email Optimization

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping email marketing. From predictive analytics that forecast the best time to send emails to AI-powered copywriting tools that help create compelling subject lines, integrating AI can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your campaigns.

6. Privacy and Data Protection

With growing concerns about data privacy and the introduction of regulations like GDPR, ensuring the privacy and security of your subscribers’ data is more critical than ever. Be transparent about how you collect and use data, provide easy opt-out options, and maintain compliance with data protection laws.

7. Measuring Success and Adapting Strategies

Finally, the success of an email campaign is in its metrics. Open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and unsubscribe rates provide insights into what works and what doesn’t. Regularly reviewing these metrics and adapting your strategy accordingly is key to continual improvement.

Conclusion

Email marketing remains a vital tool for small businesses, offering a direct line of communication to your audience. By embracing personalization, optimizing for mobile, leveraging interactive and visual content, staying authentic, utilizing AI, respecting privacy, and adapting to feedback, your email campaigns can achieve greater relevance and impact in the ever-changing digital era.

This article aims to provide small businesses with up-to-date insights and actionable tips on creating effective and engaging email campaigns that align with current trends and consumer expectations.

Continue Reading

AI

Revolutionizing Marketing: The Power of AI in the Digital Age

Published

2 months ago

on

November 21, 2023

By

Embracing AI-Powered Marketing: Transforming Brands in the Digital Marketplace

In the crowded digital marketplace, standing out is challenging. Enter AI-powered marketing, a revolutionary upgrade transforming brands into digital powerhouses.

Hyper-Personalized Campaigns: Beyond Basic Personalization

Gone are the days of generic marketing. Today’s gold standard is AI-driven hyper-personalization. This approach uses customer data analysis to create deeply resonant, individualized marketing campaigns. With AI’s ability to segment audiences based on intricate criteria, including purchasing history and browsing behavior, your messages can hit the mark every time.

Enhanced Customer Journey Mapping

AI’s capabilities extend to mapping the entire customer journey. By predicting needs and preferences at each stage, AI aids in crafting narratives that guide customers from discovery to purchase, integrating your brand into their personal stories.

SEO Wizardry: Mastering Search Engine Dynamics

With ever-changing algorithms, SEO is a complex puzzle. AI serves as a sophisticated navigator, deciphering these changes through machine learning. It aids in keyword optimization, understanding search intent, and aligning content with search trends.

Predictive SEO

AI tools offer predictive SEO, anticipating search engine and user behavior changes. This proactive stance ensures your brand’s prominent visibility in search results, capturing the right audience at the right time.

Social Media Mastery: Crafting a Digital Narrative

AI transforms social media strategies from uncertain to precise. By analyzing vast social data, AI provides insights into resonating content.

Content Optimization

AI analyzes performance data to recommend effective content types. This data-driven approach refines your social media content strategy.

Engagement Analysis

AI examines user interaction nuances, understanding engagement patterns. It helps tailor interactions for maximum impact, including adjusting posting schedules and messaging for increased relevance.

Conclusion: Navigating the AI-Driven Marketing Landscape

AI-powered marketing is essential for thriving in the digital age, offering precision and personalization beyond traditional methods. For small businesses, it’s a chance to leverage AI for impactful, data-driven strategies.

As we embrace the AI revolution, the future of marketing is not just bright but intelligently radiant. With AI as your digital ally, your brand is equipped for a successful journey, making every marketing effort and customer interaction count.

Continue Reading

Trending

SmallBiz.com does not provide legal or accounting advice and is not associated with any government agency. Copyright © 2023 UA Services Corp - All Rights Reserved.