Networking is a fundamental part of business and can help your brand grow in many ways. Now we are in 2024, there are more ways than ever to expand your network.
From conferences to apps such as Clubhouse, there are plenty of ways you can connect with people in your industry, influencers, and potential clients.
Keep reading to learn more about networking and how it can improve your online visibility.
What Is Networking?
Networking isn’t all business cards and coffee meetings – at its core, networking is all about building relationships.
It’s about meeting new people that you can trust that can either help with your business or do business with you.
Many people think of networking as being formal, but you can also have an informal approach – you can network with someone over drinks, out for coffee, and from the comfort of your own home.
You can network online and offline – although more and more people are choosing to network online, especially since the rise of remote working.
Interacting on social media, going to online networking events, attending conferences and meetings, and even liaising with your co-workers are all methods of networking.
Networking is inclusive to all kinds of people – potential customers, other business owners, directors, employees – all these people can help your business expand and be seen online.
A popular method of networking in 2024 is LinkedIn. On LinkedIn, you can connect with anyone, from students to directors.
It’s easy to find somebody in your niche – use the search bar to find groups and pages relating to your niche, and start connecting with people.
Before you start connecting with anybody, it’s important that your profile reflects who you are and what you do.
You’ll have the opportunity to enter details such as your job role, your work history, your location, and a section about yourself.
Your Linkedin profile essentially works as your virtual business card, so make sure it’s clear, concise, and accurate.
Networking on Linkedin can get you in contact with the right people.
If you’re looking for guest post opportunities, then all you have to do is message the right people or write a Linkedin post and chances are you’ll get some great responses.
Social Media
Building a social media presence is key to online visibility. It has become one of the most popular marketing methods for a reason – because it works.
However, using social media will only improve your online visibility if you regularly engage with your followers.
For example, you could post regular Instagram stories with polls or questions, or create promos or competitions.
It’s important to reply to peoples comments and to like and comment on other peoples posts – the more you get your name out there, the more people will see your brand and visit your website.
How Can Networking Help Me?
No matter your industry, niche, or brand, you can really benefit from knowing the right people. Networking can bring you new clients, opportunities, exposure, and help.
Connecting with consumers on a personal level not only enables you to learn more about your target audience but can also build trust in your business.
Networking both online and in-person can bring more people to your social media and to your website, and can even introduce a whole audience.
Build Trust
Advertising is great, but do you ever really trust adverts? Connecting with the right people and knowing your audience is a sure way to build trust.
Consumers trust social media – during lockdown, confidence in social media as a trusted source of information increased by 75 percent, which shows that networking can really build trust.
Networking with your consumers enables you to get to know them as people – their likes, dislikes, and thoughts.
Maintaining a positive relationship with your customers is also imperative when it comes to building your business and improving trust.
Whether it’s by offering referral incentives, rewards, and promotions, encouraging customers to spread the word about your business is easier than ever with all the networking tools out there.
Liaise with Professionals
Networking both online and face-to-face can not only give you the opportunity to learn tricks of the trade but also to share your knowledge and build genuine connections with people in the industry.
Once you meet other professionals you can create opportunities to work together on projects, which can be mutually beneficial.
There are countless opportunities on networking sites and in the real world to create partnerships with like-minded individuals, so take them as they come.
Liaising and collaborating with other business owners can also help your business gain more publicity, as you’re essentially gaining their audience as well as increasing your own.
Link Opportunities
Online networking events can also increase your chances for guest posts and link opportunities.
Many experts say that there’s a strong correlation between using social media and gaining link opportunities and increasing traffic from search engines.
Linkedin and Facebook groups are a great method of gaining links – all you have to do is have a solid profile, the right connections, and a direct approach, and you’ll be able to find opportunities for guest posts, paid links, and link exchanges.
The type of person you network with can affect your chances at guest post and link opportunities – for best results, connect with leaders and influencers in your industry or niche.
Once you’re connected with this person, whether it be on social media or in person, introduce them to your product or service and see if they’re willing to write or talk about it, linking back to your site.
This will not only boost your brand exposure but also increase your backlink profile.
Conclusion
Networking has become a huge part of SEO and can improve your online presence in various ways, from improving trust to increasing your backlink catalogue.
Although networking can significantly improve SEO, there’s a lot more to it – so if you need any help with your search engine optimisation efforts, then learn more about our national SEO services.
