6 ways to expand your network (and why you should)

As with the turning of each new year, we look forward to the promise of new possibilities, connections and challenges, all in equal measure. This year is no different, with the tantalizing promise of opportunities to grab.

There are so many reasons to embrace the power of networking this year, not least being business opportunities. Networking well can help you land your next job opportunity, and honestly, helps you learn the smarts to become financially stable. But let us take you through the real juicy reasons to brush up on the art of networking this year.

1. Larger network means bigger salary

Starting off with a no-brainer for those of us in the pursuit of career growth, it’s widely accepted that having a large network can open doors. There is a huge amount of power in talking to the right people at the right events. Attend as many conferences as you can. Keep a notebook handy to take down details, or better yet, keep your NFC card handy for a quick exchange of contact details. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, there’s no harm in communicating what you’re looking for. You never know, your next employer might be networking with YOU.

2. Access to resources

For founders, networking opens up access to a vast pool of resources. Whether that’s investors, talent acquisition or just idea sharing if you’re just starting out. Networking events also give you the chance to practice your elevator pitch without judgement, so you can reiterate and perfect it. This is also an excellent opportunity for strategic partnerships and collaborations, so better make full use of it.

3. Mentors and Collaborators

Wherever you may be in your brand timeline, you can learn so much from fellow founders, startups or seasoned professionals. Networking allows you to gain invaluable insights from the experiences of others, along with guidance in navigating the challenges of being a founder. There’s really no end to how beneficial these experiences can be, and hey, who knows, you might find a lifelong mentor in one of your networking events.

4. Get heard, get known

Networking events are extremely useful in terms of brand-building. Not only do you get the chance to build meaningful relationships and connections within your industry, but you can also work on reputation building for your brand. It's a great way to build trust and recognition, and positive interactions with your brand before its even out there. Trust us when we say, it's a great way to attract investors, customers and talent to come your way.

5. Know your comrades

Hear us out on this one. Networking with fellow founders is an excellent way to gauge your competition, along with knowing who to forge alliances with. Besides this though, it’s a great way to curate a support system for yourself. You can identify challenges you may face further on in your journey and prepare yourself, or help other founders in figuring out solutions, offer encouragement and advice. It’s all relative.

6. Stay bang on trend

Finally, networking is the easiest way to remain in the know, whether that’s in your own industry or in general. It enables founders to learn about market developments, new tech, regulatory changes and other factors that may end up impacting your own story. It’s a good way to stay prepared, smart and ready.

As you can tell, networking is not just about exchanging business cards anymore. It’s evolved beyond small-talk to building allegiances, and can actually help propel you forward, no matter what industry you belong go. So dust off your NFC card, absorb all these pointers and check them off at the next networking event.