7 Types of Business Networking You Need to Know
Business networking is the process of establishing and maintaining relationships with people who can help you achieve your professional goals. It can help you find new opportunities, learn new skills, gain insights, and grow your reputation. But not all business networking is the same. There are different types of business networking that serve different purposes and require different strategies. Here are seven types of business networking you need to know and how to use them effectively.
1. Casual Networking
Casual networking is the most common and informal type of business networking. It involves meeting people in social settings, such as events, parties, conferences, or online platforms, and having casual conversations with them. The goal of casual networking is to build rapport, trust, and likability with a wide range of people who may or may not be relevant to your industry or niche. Casual networking can help you expand your network, discover new opportunities, and create a positive impression.
2. Targeted Networking
Targeted networking is the opposite of casual networking. It involves meeting people who are directly relevant to your industry, niche, or goals, and having focused conversations with them. The goal of targeted networking is to establish credibility, expertise, and value with specific people who can help you advance your career or business. Targeted networking can help you find mentors, partners, clients, investors, or referrals.
3. Strategic Networking
Strategic networking is a type of targeted networking that involves meeting people who have influence or access to your target market or audience. The goal of strategic networking is to leverage the connections, resources, and reputation of others to reach your ideal prospects or customers. Strategic networking can help you generate leads, sales, or publicity for your products or services.
4. Operational Networking
Operational networking is a type of internal networking that involves meeting people within your organization or company who can help you perform your tasks more efficiently and effectively. The goal of operational networking is to improve your productivity, quality, and collaboration with your colleagues, managers, or subordinates. Operational networking can help you solve problems, learn best practices, get feedback, and gain support.
5. Personal Networking
Personal networking is a type of external networking that involves meeting people outside your professional sphere who share your personal interests, hobbies, or passions. The goal of personal networking is to enrich your life, broaden your perspective, and have fun with like-minded people. Personal networking can help you develop new skills, find new opportunities, and achieve personal growth.
6. Social Networking
Social networking is a type of online networking that involves using social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok, to connect with people who have similar interests, backgrounds, or goals. The goal of social networking is to build your online presence, reputation, and influence by sharing valuable content, engaging with your followers, and joining relevant communities. Social networking can help you attract attention, generate traffic, and create loyal fans.
7. Community Networking
Community networking is a type of offline networking that involves joining or creating groups or organizations that are related to your industry, niche, or cause. The goal of community networking is to contribute to the common good, make a positive impact, and build meaningful relationships with people who share your vision and values. Community networking can help you gain recognition, credibility, and trust in your field or market.
How to Choose the Right Type of Business Networking for You
As you can see, there are many types of business networking that can benefit you in different ways. But how do you choose the right type of business networking for you? Here are some questions to ask yourself:
– What are your professional goals?
– Who are the people who can help you achieve them?
– Where can you find them?
– How can you add value to them?
– How can you stay in touch with them?
Depending on your answers, you may need to use one or more types of business networking to achieve optimal results. For example:
– If you want to find new opportunities in your industry or niche, you may need to use targeted networking and strategic networking.
– If you want to improve your skills and performance in your current role or company, you may need to use operational networking and personal networking.
– If you want to build your brand and authority online, you may need to use social networking and community networking.
The key is to be clear about your goals and choose the type of business networking that matches them.
The Growth of Online Business Networking
Online business networking is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to connect with other professionals and potential customers. According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users worldwide reached 4.48 billion in 2021, up from 3.96 billion in 2020. This means that more than half of the global population is using social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to communicate, share information, and build relationships.
Online business networking has many benefits for business owners and entrepreneurs. It can help them increase their visibility, access new opportunities, learn from industry experts, and generate leads and referrals. Online business networking can also save time and money, as it does not require traveling or attending physical events. However, online business networking also has some challenges, such as maintaining trust, authenticity, and engagement with online contacts. Therefore, it is important to have a clear strategy and goals when using online platforms for business networking.
The Decline of Traditional Business Networking
Traditional business networking refers to the act of meeting people face-to-face at events such as conferences, seminars, workshops, trade shows, and community service groups. These events allow business professionals to exchange information, ideas, and contacts in a more personal and interactive way. Traditional business networking can help build trust, rapport, and loyalty among business partners and customers. It can also provide valuable feedback, insights, and inspiration for business improvement.
However, traditional business networking has been declining in recent years due to various factors. One of them is the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced many physical events to be canceled or postponed. Another factor is the rise of online business networking, which offers more convenience, accessibility, and diversity for business professionals. Additionally, some people may find traditional business networking intimidating, time-consuming, or ineffective compared to online alternatives. Therefore, traditional business networking may need to adapt to the changing needs and preferences of the modern business world.
References:
https://info.myebcard.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-sales-performance-at-networking-events
https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u58005
http://www.displaywizard.co.uk/display-hub/why-offline-marketing-still-works
https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-worldwide-social-network-users/
https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/what-is-business-networking
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_networking
https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/types-of-business-networks
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/01/26/the-seven-types-of-networking-you-need-to-know/?sh=5f9c5c0a4a6a
https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/15938-types-of-business-networking.html
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/types-of-networking-groups-2062604
