I think we can all agree that a key to growing your small business is growing your business network.

But, thanks to COVID-19 and social distancing practices, meeting people face-to-face might not be as easy or appealing as it once was.

Even as restrictions are lifted, people are rethinking the way they do business. As a society, we are questioning everything such as…

Are face-to-face interactions really worth the risk and effort?

Are commutes worth the time?

Will things ever go back to how they once were?

Possibly!

But, in any case, it’s nice to know that there are still ways you can meet new people, grow your business circle, and maintain contact with your connections, without ever leaving the comfort of your home office (if you don’t want to).

Here are 3 ways you can build your business network without leaving your desk…

 

Connect with people online

 

Social media is often downplayed as a waste of time, but when used properly, it is actually a powerful business tool.

Of course, the challenge with meeting people online is that you need to filter through a lot of people, who might not be exactly what you’re looking for.

A desirable addition to your business network is someone who might potentially be a client of yours, or someone who can lead you to potential clients (that is, a referral partner).

Someone who can provide a service or knowledge that will help you grow your business is a worthwhile connection as well.

For business professionals, LinkedIn is an ideal platform to search for and discover people who might be great additions to your network sphere.

But, depending on your business, you might find luck on other platforms, such as Instagram or Facebook. It all depends on where your target audience is.

Once you have determined which platform(s) is best suited for you, you can start looking for people to connect with. This is easiest to do if you put out worthwhile content (blogs, videos, graphics, etc.) that will likely draw out the types of people you want to meet.

 

Create a lead magnet

 

A lead magnet is a powerful lead generation tool that any business owner can use to grow a qualified email list – without spamming, without hard-selling, and without doing anything illegal or annoying.

And – good news – putting a lead magnet together is not nearly as complicated as it sounds.

Simply put, a lead magnet is a downloadable e-book, whitepaper, checklist, video, or ANY piece of content that can be put up on your company website or landing page, so that your audience can download it for free in exchange for their email address.

You create your lead magnet with your desired audience in mind – so the content of your lead magnet attracts the kind of potential customers or referral partners you desire.

Then, you publicize your lead magnet and grow an email list of high value contacts.

The trick is to DO something with this email list – such as, staying in touch with them via an email newsletter or reaching out in some meaningful way to deepen your connection.

 

Go on virtual coffee dates

 

Coffee dates, or informative one-on-one meetups, are a great way to learn more about your new contacts.

Now that we’ve pivoted the way we do meetings, virtual coffee dates have become the norm. Plus, they are fast, convenient, and cost-effective.

It is best not to try to turn these informal meetings into sales pitches, because no one will want to meet up with you if all they are getting is a sales presentation.

Instead, aim to use the coffee date as an opportunity to get to know one another better and see where you can help each other, if possible.

Keep in mind that providing a product or service for one another isn’t the only way to add value. You could refer one another to possible sales leads. You could suggest ways to improve one another’s businesses. You could mentor each other or hold one another accountable with regards to your business goals. The list goes on. There are many reasons to meet fellow business owners and stay in touch.

And, as with any meeting, the most important part of the virtual coffee date is to follow up. Offer your lead magnet, connect on social media and share content, and add them to your email list.

Networking will always be a big part of running a small business. However, the way we network has changed over the years and it is still changing now. Thanks to technology and innovation, you can now network without leaving the comfort of your home office. Consider meeting and engaging prospective clients and referral partners on social media. Produce a lead magnet that you can use to grow your email list, and then leverage that list to stay in touch with your business circle. Do a couple of virtual coffee dates per month to develop deeper relationships within your network. Be consistent and you’ll be sure to see improvements in the breadth and depth of your network.