A simple list of five.
The FIVE groups of people to start networking before you start anything…
- Toward investors. Start now. Getting know them before you need them. Get to know those who will likely support what you’re doing. They’re advisors so they can invest, not banks that are just there for capital.
- With potential partners. The easiest way to close that deal when you need it is when you’ve already established the need for it.
- Among competitors. Don’t be naive that you don’t have competitors. Don’t be narrow enough to neglect that you don’t actually create new opportunities WITH competitors. This isn’t war, it’s business. Get to know them and support one another if you can. You’re both in it to find success; perhaps that’s together.
- Within the industry. The worst thing you can do is a Press Release and expect anyone cares. Get to know and start conversations with conference managers, journalists, bloggers, and the like, now.
- 500 random people. Interview every single one. Learn not what to do, learn what not to do. You learn what to do from Marketing.
Now you’re ready to start a business. That’s a LinkedIn logo on purpose, I’ll help you get started; you have to take the first step.
Really like your to-the-point guide. My experience as a startup mentor is very much aligned with these. I like to call it building relationships rather than networking. It is never too early to start and it should never stop either.
Paul O’Brien Well said Paul. My Score mentor strongly suggested I start this process at least 6 months before I planned on getting started with a need for any of these five classes of people. Relationships and trust take time to build. Also he further suggested I put myself out there so the people who matter can begin to see how I think and operate before I even know they exist. They want to do their initial homework without my knowledge so by the time we come together they are already half serious about the game.
Networking in itself is a lot art on many people. Its a skill many people getting into business do not have. How to do it would be an excellent subject to write about. 🙂