Small Business Networking

Small business networking is a vital component of a prosperous solo business. However, there are many myths and misconceptions regarding solo or small business networking. This section confronts them all!

You’ll find articles and opinions that clarify the role of personal networking, the secrets of effective and painless business networking, how networking can help banish feelings of work isolation and can create a stream of business referrals.

Whether business networking has you hiding under the desk or is something you actively embrace and practice, this section will help you and your business evolve and prosper.

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Networking articles

• Business mastermind groups: Online vs offline

  The explosion of social media in its many and varied forms has led a number of people to wonder: is there still a place for the business mastermind group? I firmly believe the answer is yes.

  • 01 July 09
  • Karen Morris
  • 6 Comments

• Tips for using social media websites

  The explosion in popularity of social media websites has created many new ways to advertise your business, but it can be difficult working out how to take advantage. Here are a few tips to get you started.

  • 11 March 09
  • Tristan Boyd
  • 11 Comments

• Stress free business networking tips

  The thought of attending business networking events and functions can be terrifying to some people and slightly unsettling even for the most confident amongst us. Here are the three things that people worry about and tips on how you can avoid them.

  • 09 March 09
  • Sue Henry
  • 9 Comments

• Using Yahoo or Google Groups to help business

  Long before the days of Twitter, Facebook and myspace there was a simpler Internet technology: groups. Yahoo! or Google Groups are formed when a community focused around a specialist topic uses email lists and forums to communicate.

  • 25 February 09
  • Heather Smith
  • 4 Comments

• Networking strategies: Using word of mouth

  Many modern business people understand the value of word of mouth and business networking strategies, but few look to actively drive word of mouth in their sales efforts.

  • 23 February 09
  • Jack Fraenkel
  • 8 Comments

• Clever conversation starters when networking

  The key to networking success is being a good conversationalist and showing genuine interest in another’s business and knowing when to talk about your own . So do you know any good conversation starters?

  • 16 January 09
  • Jack Fraenkel
  • 7 Comments

• Small business forums: Are you in?

  We have officially launched Flying Solo micro and small business forums, and we’re pleased to say that hundreds of you have jumped feet first into the conversation. But what are the business benefits in participating in online forums?

  • 09 December 08
  • Peter Crocker
  • 3 Comments

• When networking is a business motivator

  We all know that networking is an important part of building your business. But as well as making connections with other business people, attending seminars can be a vital business motivator for renewing and maintaining enthusiasm for your business.

  • 31 October 08
  • Karen Morris
  • 9 Comments

• Online social networking update

  A few weeks ago I announced my online social networking experiment. Well, the early results are in and I can tell you they have really surprised me. I see many compelling reasons to delve further.

  • 14 October 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 10 Comments

• Is online social networking for us?

  Good question. After some cursory Googling it’s clear the jury’s still out on the value of online social networking. The stampede of early adopters would have us believe it’s a must-have, but is it?

  • 02 September 08
  • Robert Gerrish
  • 39 Comments

• What’s your networking personality?

  Networking is critical to the success of the growth of a small business. But for many, networking is something that is a chore rather than a must-do activity. Understanding your networking personality and that of others can be the key to success.

  • 08 August 08
  • Sue Henry
  • 7 Comments

• Does business networking work for you?

  Have I mentioned how much I dislike business networking? It’s odd, because I love nothing better than learning about other people’s businesses and gasbagging about my own.

  • 05 August 08
  • Peter Crocker
  • 22 Comments

• Success at speed networking

  If you haven’t been to a speed networking event, I urge you to give one a go. You get to formally meet and follow up with 20 to 30 people and have fun at the same time. Here’s how speed networking works.

  • 26 May 08
  • Megan Tough
  • 23 Comments

• Cooperation versus competition

  Us soloists are busy and time poor. Unless you are outsourcing there will come a time whereby you have capped your capacity to serve your clients. When you reach that point, what are your options? This article looks at cooperation versus competition.

  • 21 May 08
  • Heather Smith
  • 12 Comments

• The benefits of business networks

  The more business owners I meet, the more I recognise that what makes businesses successful is an understanding of the benefits of being involved in business networks. Many soloists talk about networking but not all walk their talk.

  • 16 April 08
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 15 Comments

• Should you send Christmas cards to clients?

  This month I plan to correct one of the biggest mistakes I have made since flying solo and send Christmas cards to clients. In the past I didn’t do this, but instead donated the money I would have spent on cards and postage to a charity.

  • 02 November 07
  • Karen Morath
  • 32 Comments

• Management skills: How networking helps

  Plenty can be learnt from looking at how larger organisations operate. Attending networking meetings with people from a variety of businesses can provide great insights into the management of your small or solo business.

  • 29 August 07
  • Kathie M. Thomas
  • 3 Comments

• Six mistakes made at business networking events

  When you consider that business networking events are about establishing relationships, it's surprisingly common to actually alienate those you meet. So how do you avoid making such mistakes?

  • 20 August 07
  • Linda Anderson
  • 11 Comments

• Networking at a cocktail function

  Cocktail functions have a different feel about them than other business networking events. Here's how to make sure the drinks are diluted and not your networking!

  • 30 May 07
  • Kim McGuinness
  • 2 Comments

• Tips for networking at a business lunch

  If you think business lunches are a relic of the 80's, you're missing out on a valuable business tool. In a previous article we discussed preparing for a networking function. Now let's review tips for networking at a business lunch.

  • 11 April 07
  • Kim McGuinness
  • 3 Comments

• Business networking groups: Have you reviewed your networking schedule?

  Networking can be a significant investment of money and time, so it makes sense to analyse whether you should continue to belong to your various business networking groups. This doesn’t take long – you just need to answer a few simple questions.

  • 26 March 07
  • Megan Tough
  • 3 Comments

• Preparing for a networking function

  The key to making the most of networking functions is preparation. As the following tips explain, if you're well prepared, you'll be more open to new connections and so will make the most of every networking opportunity.

  • 21 February 07
  • Kim McGuinness
  • 3 Comments

• Improve business by avoiding assumptions

  Are your assumptions costing you business? Often, misunderstandings, dramas, upsets and unnecessary worry in life and business are created by assumptions not actual facts.

  • 09 February 07
  • Wendy Buckingham
  • 3 Comments

• Five tips for business networking at breakfast

  You have invested time and money to attend a breakfast function. It makes sense to leverage that investment by business networking. Here are five tips to help you make the most of the opportunity.

  • 17 November 06
  • Kim McGuinness
  • 7 Comments

• Develop a strong personal brand for your business

  Personal branding is important for business and as a solo business owner to a large extent, you are the brand! Here's some tips on how to brand you ... to stand out and shine.

  • 30 August 06
  • Sue Currie
  • 3 Comments

• Setting up your Business Action Group

  Last month we talked about getting together with other soloists to support and grow your business through a Business Action Group (BAG). If you’re thinking “This is for me” then here are the steps to setting up your very own BAG.

  • 28 July 06
  • Trish Weston
  • 11 Comments

• Business Action Groups: Your Success is in the BAG

  When you work in isolation, running a successful business isn’t just about getting clients but about building relationships in a supportive environment. That's where Business Action Groups (BAG) come in.

  • 23 June 06
  • Trish Weston
  • 3 Comments

• Networking tips for busy parents

  When you're running a hectic household, networking is probably the last thing on your mind. But the rewards are there for those prepared to apply focus to the task. Read on for some great networking tips for busy parents.

  • 07 June 06
  • Kim McGuinness
  • 4 Comments

• Improve your networking skills

  Good networking skills give us a perfect opportunity to make assessments of the people we meet. Usually once you get chatting you can tell if this initial meeting will lead to a lasting relationship.

  • 03 May 06
  • Barb Clews
  • 1 Comment

• Five ways to make business networks work

  You know business networks are important, but are you getting the most out of going to events and meeting new people? Here are 5 proven ways to make every bit of networking you do worthwhile.

  • 03 March 06
  • Ricky Nowak
  • 3 Comments

• The social approach to business networking

  The idea of business networking becomes a lot less stressful when you try broadening your social circle via existing friends.

  • 09 December 05
  • Yaro Starak
  • 5 Comments

• Making the most of business networking events

  Now is the time for sharpening and honing your networking skills. Here's how to take advantage of the heightened number of business networking events.

  • 05 December 05
  • Thomas Murrell
  • 4 Comments

• Why aren't you networking?

  You think you have reasons to give that networking function a miss, but are your 'reasons' more like excuses? Read on for some advice on how to become a better networker.

  • 22 November 05
  • Kim McGuinness
  • 9 Comments

• How to use networking to beat home business blues

  Isolation can take you by surprise. So it's important to make the effort to get away from your business and start networking and socialising with others.

  • 09 November 05
  • Yaro Starak
  • 7 Comments

• Social skills - the secret of networking?

  When so much of today's business networking is done (or at least discussed) in a social setting, perhaps we all need a little etiquette upskilling.

  • 31 October 05
  • Sue Currie
  • 3 Comments

• Making a good first impression

  Lots of solo business owners worry about making a good first impression on people they meet whilst networking.

  • 26 October 05
  • Barb Clews
  • 2 Comments

• Business networking burnout

  If you've overdosed on business networking and find yourself avoiding networking groups, you're showing symptoms of burnout. Here's the antidote.

  • 30 September 05
  • Wendy Buckingham

• Personal marketing for the shy

  Business networking for solo business owners is all about personal marketing. So what do you do when you know you should go, you know you could go, but you don’t actually want to go. These tips will show you how to face up to your fears.

  • 21 September 05
  • Wendy Buckingham

• Building rapport when networking

  Attending networking events can be a great way to boost your profile and build rapport...but only if you know what you're doing.

  • 27 July 05
  • Sue Currie
  • 6 Comments

• Professional networking: Turning colleagues into allies

  If we engage in professional networking, we'll never feel isolated. Question is, how do you turn colleagues into allies?

  • 07 July 05
  • John Raymond
  • 5 Comments

• Networking strategies: Get involved!

  It's easy to get lost in your own world in Soloville, so you need to make a conscious effort to put networking strategies in place and stay connected.

  • 07 July 05
  • Robert Gerrish