Networking & How It Can Impact Your Business
If you have a business at the Lake of the Ozarks or are looking to start a business, one critical component in your toolkit should be networking. It's commonly known that networking has beneficial effects on your business, but we want to expand on some of the high-points that networking at the Lake of the Ozarks can provide.
At the Lake West Chamber of Commerce, we understand the importance of networking and community involvement. Continue reading our blog to learn more about networking and how it can impact your business.
Start New Relationships & Strengthen Existing Ones
Attending networking events is a great way to meet new people entering the community, as well as existing business owners and organizations. Be sure you "working the room," go over and mingle with strangers, introduce yourself, strike up a friendly conversation. You'd be surprised by how much you can quickly learn about a person and their business doing so, gain insight, recognize opportunities, and gain connections that will help you both personally and professionally.
There are many people that you'll likely encounter at these networking events that are recurring attendees, you may have met them prior to the event out and about or at their place of business, this can be a great opportunity to nourish your existing relationship with them.
Business Awareness
During these networking events, there are opportunities to showcase your work and to elaborate on what type of products or services you offer. Doing so gives you the chance to spread the word about your business and what solution, want, or need that you provide the community. Often times you'll find another business owner or community member that is either in need of something you provide themselves or knows somebody that is in need. This is a fantastic way to increase awareness about your business and potentially gain referrals.
Get Noticed
This is the kind of publicity you want, when people in the community see you attending these networking events and socials, interacting within the community, and looking to assist others they know that you are reliable and accountable. Thus, they'll be more likely to speak highly, refer business, and interact with your business the more involved you make yourself. You and your business will become a known name in the community the more you attend.
Gain Confidence & Support
Networking can be intimidating at first, but practice makes perfect as they say. The more you attend and socialize at these events the easier it becomes, and before you know it it's second nature. As you get more networking events under your belt you'll gain confidence, both yourself and in your business. Getting out of your shell could be the best thing that ever happened to your business and networking events are a great way of doing so.
As we mentioned above, the more people see you getting involved in the community and socials the more reputable you appear, opening many doors for you and your business. You'll gain awareness, reputation, and support from like-minded people and business owners.
How the Lake West Chamber Can Help
We hope our blog has helped provide some insight into networking at the Lake of the Ozarks, and how it can benefit you and your business. You are now ready to hit these socials and begin making yourself known and assisting the community, and coincidently enough, the Lake West Chamber is here to help. We host a networking social every month for our existing members as well as future members. So if you're interested in growing your business at the Lake of the Ozarks, the Lake West Chamber of Commerce proudly invites you to attend one of our networking events. Don't wait, start reaping the benefits of networking, we'll back you every step of the way.
Building a stronger economy and a better business community since 1987!
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