Creative freelancers (photographers, designers, actors, singers, voice over artists) often have a fear of networking, and feel that they don't belong in a business networking meeting.

I'm holding a free webinar to dispel that myth, and to explore why creative people should be networking.

Tues 16th March 2021, 7pm (UK). If you can't make it live a replay will be sent to everyone who signed up.

Sign up at www.businessnetworkingknowhow.com/free-webinar

And if you are interested in the networking course that I mention please check out www.businessnetworkingknowhow.com

Thanks!

Anton Oliver is a business coach and founder of the Marketing Mastery programme, which teaches small business owners the marketing strategies that are used by multinational companies.

He talks about why you should visit lots of different networking meetings, and why you need to be consistent with your networking if you want results. Referrals will come if you first help others.

Anton also talks about why it's important to know your niche, and how this will help you collaborate with others in your industry.

Find out more about Marketing Mastery here:

www.businessexitaccelerator.com/program?affiliate_id=2946741

Nicky Thomas is a business connector, referral marketing expert and founder of The Growth Community. She loves nothing more than to see people connect and build a new relationships and/or open up new opportunities for each other. By March 2021 the community will have over 100 members with big UK expansion plans in the pipeline.

In this interview Nicky admits that she had low expectations of networking online, but in actual fact the pandemic has led to her creating a completely new networking platform where she has taken all the best bits from previous networks she has been a part of, and made something she's proud of.

As well as running a successful telemarking company, Felicity Francis is also the founder of Talk Networking.

Talk Networking started in the real world and has now moved into the virtual space, with four different styles of networking event offered.

In this episode Felicity talks about how different styles of business networking suit different people, why you should take the initiative and follow up with people after meetings, and how it's important not to get sucked into so many meetings and 121's that you don't leave time to work!

Paul is a voice over artist, radio presenter and massive lover of business networking. In fact, it was within a networking group that his business model radically changed. People had recognised that his 60 second presentations were always well received and started seeking his advice on how they could improve their own presentations, and he was happy to help. Then, in a one-to-one meeting with a business coach, he received a piece of advice which changed his life - “If you charged people for the advice that you’re giving, I believe they would pay you,” and it turns out, he was right.

Paul now splits his time between voicing and presentation coaching. He offers group workshops and private coaching, and has adapted his business model to work well within the virtual space. Details of his coaching can be found at www.my8seconds.com and for all things voice over, check out www.pauljrose.co.uk

In this episode I chat to author, publisher and founder of International Online Networking Day, Ladey Adey

Ladey has always loved meeting people and learning more about their businesses – and as her networking prowess has grown she has learnt how to benefit both their businesses and her own.  She says, “My life wouldn’t be so rich without business networking.  I use business networking offline and online as an integral strategy to helping more people publish the book inside them.  Within networking I’ve given as many talks as I’ve had hot dinners!”

To buy Ladey's book 'Successful Business Networking Online' visit https://t4s.site/networking-book/buy-your-book/

Ladey also co-hosts a LinkedIn Group for networkers who want to be successful. The group meets up via Zoom on a monthly basis – only group members though! The link is https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8985122/

Find Ladey online through one of the links below - or invite her to your next networking meeting!

Website:  https://www.ladeyadey.com

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladey  

Podcast on Books:  https://shows.acast.com/ladeyadeyshow/

World Online Networking Day – 29th Oct https://t4s.site/worldonlinenetworkingday/home/

 You Tube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/LadeyAdey/videos

Networking takes place in two main ways - online and offline (or in-person), but within those categories are lots of sub-genres of networking meetings.

Some meetings are very formal with a set format, others are a complete free for all, and most are somewhere in between.

Different styles of networking suit different people. Have a listen and see what most appeals to you.

Now you know what networking is (and what it isn't), the next question to ask is 'why should you do it?'

We've established that networking isn't about selling (though we do want people to buy from us ultimately), so what are you going to get out of going to networking meetings?

Some of the things I've got out of going to networking events are:

• great suppliers
• information about other meetings to try
• information about other events e.g business expos
• information about grants I can apply for
• friends!

This short episode looks at some of the ways that small business owners can benefit from business networking.

We all network all the time without even thinking about it, but networking for your business needs be more intentional.

As well as understanding what networking is, it's just as important to understand what networking isn't.

It's all about making connections - and it most definitely isn't about making sales.

There are two main types of networking - in person and online, and there are lots of sub-genres which we'll talk about in later episodes.

The more people you connect with (and get to know), the more your business will grow.

Please do subscribe, rate and review the show on Apple podcasts so that more people find it! Thank you :-)

In this very short trailer episode you'll find out a little about your host, that's me, Liz Drury, and get taste of what's to come on the Small Business Big Network podcast.

If you're a small business owner you'll know that unless people know about you and what you do - you're not going to get any work. You'll also know that marketing can be expensive, and you probably haven't got lots of cash to spend on advertising.

Well, business networking could be a very cost effective answer.

I've found that by networking consistently, not only do many more people know about my business, but so do the people they know - because now that I have built trust with my fellow networkers, they are happy to recommend and refer me.

Join me on a networking adventure as I chat to other business owners about their networking successes, and give you hints and tips on how to make the most of the networking events you attend.

Please do subscribe, rate and review 'Small Business Big Network' on Apple Podcasts to help others find the show.

Thank you!