Many of you reading this will be seasoned networkers so most of the following – hopefully! – will be second nature to you. But, if you’re new to business networking or just feel it would be helpful to refresh your habits, please read on. Networking Chandler’s Ford has been around for over a decade (not quite two decades) and has been successfully connecting business people with each other throughout that time. The following tips are tried and tested by our members, although we’d welcome any more that have worked for you. Wishing you productive networking!
Set Clear Goals
Before attending any networking event, define what success looks like for you. Are you aiming to meet potential clients, find collaborators, learn from peers or raise awareness of your brand?
Having a specific objective helps you focus your conversations and use your time strategically. For example, if your goal is to secure three follow-up meetings, you’ll approach interactions differently than if you’re just gathering general contacts. Clear goals keep you intentional, confident and better prepared to measure your results afterward.
Who do your network network with?
We all know that networking isn’t always about who is in the room, it’s also about who the people in the room know. So it’s a real help not only if members know about your services but also if there are specific types of referral that you’re after. The more specific you can be, the more likely you are to prompt someone else to remember a connection.
If it would be helpful to be referred to HR Managers in medium-sized manufacturing businesses, for example, say so!
Grow (y)our network
Who would be the ideal contact for you – and are they an NCF member yet?
To help grow our group in a targeted way, please have a think about professions who it is useful for you to connect with, especially if there is no one covering it within our group already. This is not just people you might want to sell to directly but useful collaborators and contacts.
We can then share that information between us to invite some potentially useful connections along. Drop an email to meet@networkingchandlersford.co.uk if you have an idea.
Can’t make a meeting? Send a sub!
Unlike other networking groups, NCF are not so strict on requiring members to send someone to sub’ for them but there are lots of good reasons to make the effort. Firstly, it helps keep meetings buzzing and gives us all an opportunity to meet someone new. Hopefully your sub will have an enjoyable experience, too, reflecting well on you, and it may even encourage them to join us. Finally, it helps spread the word about NCF and helps to grow our group.
If you can’t make a meeting, you can still show your commitment by inviting someone else to represent you.
Don’t forget to follow up!
After any networking event, be sure to follow up with the people you met. If you’ve reconnected with people, send them a message to say it was good to see them. If you’ve met someone new, send a quick LinkedIn request with a personal message reminding them where you met. A friendly email a day or two later, perhaps suggesting a one-to-one or offering something of value, keeps the relationship warm. Stay in touch by sharing useful articles, event invites or simply checking in occasionally. Remember, building genuine relationships takes time, so keep showing up and staying consistent!
Book a one-to-one
Is there anyone you’ve been meaning to have a one-to-one with? Make sure to book some time with them. Knowing more about other people’s specialisms makes us more likely to be able to make good referrals for them (and that goes both ways, of course!).
In summary
At the end of the day, networking isn’t about collecting business cards or chasing every contact under the sun, it’s about building genuine connections that stick. Keep it simple: show interest, follow up and be helpful where you can. Small gestures often leave the biggest impression. Remember, consistency beats intensity: attend events regularly, engage online thoughtfully and nurture relationships over time. By approaching networking with curiosity and authenticity, your small business can open doors, spark collaborations and grow in ways that feel natural rather than forced. It’s not just who you know, it’s how you connect. (If you’re not yet convinced of the benefits of networking, try reading this!).