How to Build Your Network as a Consultant

Author: Adam Mathew

Networking is the best way to turn strangers into contacts, referrals and clients. Networking takes time, but it is an investment that could pay dividends for the rest of your life. Building a great network will also save you time and money searching for clients.

To start building your network, join two or three organizations in your industry that are well known. This can usually be done online in only a few minutes. After joining these, begin by attending the meetings and events held by the small business consulting firms. In each meeting try to understand the type of peoples and businesses that attend them.

Attend at least 1 event every other week. If you're like most, you don't like approaching strangers in new social situations. That's OK, it's understandable. That's why it is important to get mentally prepared before you show up. Your attitude guides your behavior, so you must overcome any negative self-talk that could hinder you from meeting people.

Remember that people enjoy talking about themselves. Individuals also feel flattered when you show interest in them and their work. Because of this, ask them questions about their business and what they do. This will help break the ice while giving you an insight on how your consulting services may be of help to them.

At each event you attend do not leave without 5-10 business cards of people you just met. Yes, this means you have to step out of your shell a bit and mingle with strangers. You must do this if you want to build a network. Review these contacts you met and schedule coffee or lunch with 1-2 of them during the next week. If you follow this exercise each week, it won't be long before you know everyone in the room, and they will know who you are and what you do.

Don't forget to use online tools to grow your network. Tools like LinkedIn.com, Facebook.com, and Twitter.com can expand your network to sizes you never imagined. While personal meetings are valuable they are limited by opportunities dictated by time and place - you have to be at the right place at the right time to meet the right people. On the other hand, networking online virtually has no bounds. It saves you a lot of time and money and allows you to expand your network at an incredible rate.

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To learn more about how to work from home or to learn how to start consulting with free tips from small business consulting firms.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - How to Build Your Network as a Consultant