I’ve recently become Marketing Assistant for my local 4Networking group in Bridgwater, Somerset.

4Networking is a great way to meet other small businesses in your local area, it’s great to meet potential suppliers and clients. One of the main points to remember, is that it doesn’t matter if there is no-one in the room who is going to buy from you, it’s more about who they know. For example, I’ve met several businesses, printers, accountants etc. – I work with businesses from start-up stage, through to taking on their 50th employee – So they always need a printing company and an accountants – So I can pass on their details.

In business, people buy from people. No matter how brilliant your product might be, or how cheap it is. If you don’t like someone, it’s very unlikely your going to buy from them. How many times have you been into a shop, had an unfriendly or rude shopkeeper serve you and never returned?

How about phoning a potential supplier, leaving several messages and they never got back to you. You are unlikely to return, or recommend them to anyone else.

So you must always remember this, you are your business. Meet, Like, Know & Trust. That’s the 4N way!

Of course there are plenty of business networking groups out there, it depends what type of person you are and who your ideal customers are. For example there is BNI, Federation of Small Businesses, Women in Business, Simply Networking.. The list goes on and on. Of course there are even networking groups that are market specific, some have very strict rules and some are very social. Most groups allow you to try them out, before you pay any high membership or joining fees, I would highly recommend this.