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Archive for Networking

Marketing Tip #2: Networking

Mar 15 | by Laura Allen | Marketing Strategy, Marketing Tips, Networking
6 Comments

By spending time talking to people about your business you can raise your business’ profile and it may also refer clients your way.  Research the networking events in your local area and go along to generate business.

Remember! It is very important to research networking events and even go to a few (adopting a ‘try before you buy’ attitude) before deciding on which one(s) you feel is right for you and your business.

Each event is different in that some may require you to be in a certain area and others may ask you to pay a monthly or annual fee.  So remember – find one that suits you and will benefit your company!

It is possibly even more important that you don’t choose a networking event that has a lot of people from the same sector or industry as yourself as they are effectively your competition.

A useful tip when attending networking events is to have a particular product/service that you want to push that week/month rather than going in there and bombarding people with every aspect of what your business does.

Here are a few networking events to get you started:

  • MyWirralHub – Wirral/ Don’t have to become a member/ Free or Pay for own Lunch/ Once a month/ Must be a business from local area.

http://www.mywirralhub.org.uk/

  • CEPN Business Forum – Chester/ Need to become a member to join/ £60 a year if your business has been established for over 12 months and £30 if under 12 months/ Once a month.

http://www.cepnforum.org.uk/

Good luck and happy networking!

Professional Business Stalker

Mar 11 | by Amanda Daniels | ?? Questions to you, Networking
2 Comments

I don’t know about you, but I do a lot of networking as this is how I get business for Koogar. Meeting new people at different events and locations around the Northwest is a great way to speak to and find potential clients.

In the tail end of last year I met a person who says “I do the same thing as you…“.

Have you ever met people who say that to you?

How can another company do the same thing as your company as all businesses are different:

  • different way of producing work
  • different quality of work
  • different experience within their field
  • use different products/software
  • are able to sell to different types of people/businesses
  • have different products
  • and so on…

There are a lot of factors that are not the same… and most importantly Koogar’s USP is different.

I feel at Koogar we walk the talk and deliver what our clients need and want to attract new clients/customers.

However recently we have been subject to what is called a Professional Business Stalker. Its a bit of a grand name for what this person actually does…

Just wondered… Have you ever experienced this? If you have what have you done to deal with the person involved… If you haven’t what would you do in my shoes?

Passing yourself off as another company must be illegal… surely…

When networking, don’t tell people you do the same thing as someone else as you probably don’t. You should have your own USP, target clients and pricing structure… but what cant be helped is if your a step ahead of your competition.

We would love to hear from you and your thoughts.

Business Northwest Event (Manchester) 2009

Oct 31 | by Amanda Daniels | Networking
No Comments

This week Koogar attended the Business Northwest Event in Manchester’s G-Mex.

We started quite early as we got the train and got to the venue about 9am.

I met a business colleague on the train on the way and before we made a start, we went and found a full English breakfast at a little cafe called “Bowlers”. Once we had finished and set ourselves up for the day, we then proceeded to be in the first group of speed networking of the day.

There were 50 businesses lined up in what they called “cots” ready to deliver their 60 second pitch, pass business cards and potentially do business. I saw this as a great opportunity to practise Koogar’s new 60 second proposition to new people and businesses. Obviously the more you practise the better and more confident you become in delivering it to others.

So, why did we go to this event knowing we have a lot of work on at the moment and spend time away from the business?

Well, we ask ourselves this question every time we are not in the office. As we all know, you need to spend and use your time effectively! Our goal for the day was to maybe find new clients, practise our new 60 second pitch, but more importantly come up with some new ideas for the business.

On Thursday we met a new PR company that we would like to do businesses with, an online magazine and also got re-aquainted with Business Link.

It is worth going to there events to take you away from the business and the day to day work for a while to:

  • Reflect
  • Talk to people who are in the similar position to yourself
  • Have time to come up with new ideas for your business and your clients!

If you went along, please let us know what you thought and what you got out of it… We look forward to hearing from you!

Cancelled Networking

Oct 28 | by Amanda Daniels | MyWirralHub, Networking
No Comments

Today I cancelled a few things we needed to attend for Koogar (working on the business) and concentrated on doing some actual work, but I’m still planning on networking tonight in Chester. The reason I cancelled is sometimes you just go a long to things for the sake of it without looking at the schedule and working out your deadlines and other things like admin that need to be done.

Anyway, I was running a little late due to unforeseen circumstances, but still got the the networking event 20 minutes late (and hadn’t missed the speaker). I had to attend this event as I have been asked to speak in a few months with regards to Social Media and how it can help your business, so I wanted to go to see the facilities and make some notes so I am prepared for when its my turn.

The speaker this evening was Chrissie [PAUSE] Chrissie Gibson, a lady who is very knowledgeable when it comes to networking and who I have met and seen speak many times before. (Chrissie has also spoken at a MyWirralHub event).

Even though I have heard Chrissie speak many times, I still pick up little nuggets of information on networking best practises. Since this event I have decided to attend a workshop put on by Chrissie so I don’t miss anything out and polish my networking skills.

Have you attended one of Chrissie’s courses? If yes, do you recommend it and what was the best thing you took away from it?

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