As a new year begins businesses still face a myriad of obstacles. The concerns about staffing, lingering COVID affects and general uncertainty can make it difficult to celebrate the year. But turning the page is exactly what a new year allows us all to do. Time for a new mindset, new attitude and new possibilities. It’s time to consider recharging your business engines and the best way to do that is to start connecting.
Networking is a key to any business success strategy and developing a robust networking process can ensure that your business keeps making the connections necessary to grow. Keep in mind that it is through human interaction and connectivity that most organisations thrive. And even if restricted to ‘Virtual’ networking, you can still make valuable connections. Start with some housekeeping. Update your social media profiles, your websites, make sure your Google My Business listings reflect the most updated details of your business operations.
Next send a New Year’s greeting to your database. No sales message or call to action, just let them know you appreciate them and their business as appropriate. Post New Year’s messages on your social media accounts and welcome all the new followers regularly to reinforce the connection. Give out free resources or a New Year’s Checklist as an added value just because.
Then focus on making meaningful connections on your social media and through your associations. Whenever possible safely attend events but if not reaching out personally via email or text is a great way to re-ignite the relationship. Join Virtual Groups or Social Media Groups on Facebook and LinkedIn that can help feed prospects and referrals to your business. Post actively and respond to other members of the group to demonstrate you engaged and ready to take on 2022 with a positive outlook.
Optimism is contagious but it has to start somewhere. So make the first move and make at least one meaningful network building connection everyday as your New Year’s Resolution.
