As a salon owner, you have to develop several different skills. Along with providing a premium service, you also have to run a business. You may often find yourself wondering, “How can I (fill in the blank)?” To get answers, you could search the internet, but for the best option to grow your business and more, turn to networking. Every business owner should have a trusted network of friends and colleagues to rely on for wisdom and experience. The internet can provide an answer, but networking provides a human connection that can open doors, create business opportunities, and spark a friendship. Many people dislike the idea of networking, but it can be a highly positive experience. To learn more about how effective networking skills build a strong business, keep reading.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
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In My Experience
Many people dislike networking, and I understand why. I’ve driven away from networking events, thinking, “That was a waste of my time.” However, over the years, I’ve come to the conclusion that networking can be highly effective in developing relationships that help my business grow. Networking skills can be developed and are valuable. Another thing, you must network with a give-and-take mindset. You have to give value to get value. Start conversations by focusing on what you can do for the person you just met.
Additionally, the payoff from networking can take time. Sometimes, you’ll meet someone and have a brief conversation. That person can’t help your business now, and you walk away. Months later, that person refers you to someone who can help you. And just like that, your networking effort from six months ago pays off. That’s why I stay involved in networking organizations and attend events, because I never know when I’ll meet someone who can help me now or later down the line.
Why Networking is Important
Networking isn’t just for business or job seekers. Networking is essential for every business owner because it enables you to build a network of people with complementary skills who can assist with your business and marketing efforts. According to an article published in Forbes Magazine, “Networking is an effective learning tool, which provides a way to gather information, obtain advice and support, share information, and generate ideas.”
Therefore, the network you want to build is a group of people you can rely on to help you with the business side of your salon. They can help you structure your business, provide advice on how to manage your cash flow, or put together a marketing plan. This is not about building a network for referrals that become customers. This is building a network of advisors who become colleagues or mentors.
As your network grows, you have trusted resources you can turn to when you’re wondering, “How can I (fill in the blank)” The advice you get will come from experience and wisdom and from those who have been in your shoes and blazed the trail. If you nurture and develop the relationships you form with your network, you may discover doors to new opportunities and lasting friendships.
Build Focus and Follow-Up Skills While Networking
When attending a networking event, remember that you’re there for networking. It’s not a social gathering, despite the fact that it looks just like a cocktail party or coffee break. Don’t get distracted by talking about your recent vacation, your kids, or anything similar. At a networking event, stay focused on developing your networking skills, meeting people who can help you, and collecting their contact information so you can follow up. The worst thing is to leave a networking event saying you had a lot of fun but have no new, helpful contacts to show for it.
The other skill you will develop is follow-up. If you promise to provide value to someone at a networking event, always, always, always follow up and follow through. To establish trust and credibility and to receive what you want in return, you must deliver on your promises.
Both focus and follow-up are skills that are worth developing. They are effective networking skills that can build a strong business.
How to Make the Most of Networking
If you’ve ever attended a networking event without a clear strategy and walked away feeling it was a waste of time, you likely lacked effective networking skills. A key to successful networking is developing mutually beneficial relationships. Networking involves a give-and-take relationship. You help others with a skill you have. And in return, they help you with skills or experience you lack. That’s the difference between a networking relationship and a paid consulting relationship. A paid consultant doesn’t want to learn your skills. They will give you the experience or skills you need quickly, along with an invoice.
Develop an Effective Networking Strategy
To make the most of networking, you have to develop a strategy for success. The best place to start is:
What skills do you have that you can share with others?
You probably have skills or experience you can share. For example, you may be a great video editor with mad skills in CapCut or Movavi. You might have had great success with social media contesting or know how to monitor someone’s online presence. You may be an expert in setting up an effective booking portal. Whatever it is, figure out the easiest ways to teach your skill to others. Try teaching some friends, and when you’re ready, it’s time for the next step, what you want in return.
What skills do you want to learn?
What part of your business needs help? It could be setting up your books or creating a solid marketing plan. Whatever you need, settle on two or three specific things you need to learn or get advice about. With your “give” and your “get” determined, now you need to find the right networking events to pull it all together.
Find the Right Events
To find the right event, think about the skill you want to learn and look for events that draw the types of people who already have that skill. If you’re looking for a general business skill, bookkeeping, or setting up a CMR system, local Chamber of Commerce mixers are a great place to start. Specialized skills, such as developing a marketing plan, may require a networking event that caters to marketing professionals. It might take a little digging, but finding the right event is critical to your networking success. To network with other salon owners, consider attending trade show. To learn more, read our blogpost, “How Attending a Trade Show can Quickly Boost Your Business.”
Conclusion to Effective Networking
Effective networking skills can build a strong business. Let’s face it, no one person is an expert in everything. So, if you can master skills that help you connect with other business owners, you will have a strong network of trusted advisors. These business relationships are important because they can help you with every aspect of your salon business. But like any relationship, the best ones are mutually beneficial.
Start with a business skill you are good at and can share with others. Then, determine which of your skills you want to improve. Next, find the networking events that will likely draw the people who could help you improve those skills. When you arrive at the event, stay focused on your purpose, and be sure to follow up with all the new contacts you make. Effective networking is a skill, and once you get good at it, you’ll have access to people with the answers to all your questions about building a stronger business.
At this very moment, you’ve already got at least one person in your professional network, me. As the owner of bello Salon Suites, I’m always here to help answer any questions you might have about running a successful salon. And, if I don’t have an answer to your question, I have a large network of experts that I can refer you to for everything from administration and marketing to brand building and customer retention. It’s part of the support we offer and the value of being part of the bello Salon Suites family. In my next blog, I will share some proven networking tips and techniques to help you better develop your networking skills.
About bello
bello Salon Suites is a collection of 106 custom, private salon suites for rent to hairstylists, barbers, and cosmetology professionals in Sacramento, California. Privately owned and locally based, our facility features four stylish lounges and an outside garden for a truly zen-like experience. Additionally, we offer more resources and amenities than any other salon suite company in town, including ample free parking just steps from our front door. Take a tour today and see for yourself. For income potential, perks, and value, nothing compares to bello.