You’ve relocated to a new city; you’re establishing a business in unfamiliar territory. Naturally, you’re keen to meet people and make new contacts. What you need to do is get networking!
Networking has become a key component of the corporate world, helping professionals of a whole host of sectors and backgrounds extend their reach and ultimately grow their business.
You may have been a regular on the networking scene in your old city, but if you’ve relocated to new territory, commencing a networking venture can be a daunting experience. We’ve put together our top three tips on networking effectively in a new city, to help make the experience easier for you:
1. Research the city's networking events calendar
Most major cities and towns in the UK have a vibrant networking scene, and those running networking events are usually keen to advertise their event to ensure it attracts enough attendees.
Take the time to carry out some research online on impending networking events in your new area. For example, Eventbrite and Meetup both list forthcoming networking events in different cities and towns throughout the UK. Simply type in the name of the city, the sort of event you are looking for and the dates you are interested in going, and they will list all the relevant forthcoming networking events.
If you were looking for networking events in Leeds, the Yorkshire Mafia is a great source to discover up and coming business and networking events in Leeds and its vicinity. It could be a good idea to subscribe to their – or whichever relevant business group in your city – mailing list for all the latest networking events.
Once you have found an event that is relevant to your niche and looks promising, book yourself a place and attend the session armed with a rehearsed elevator pitch and plenty of business cards!
2. Virtual office solutions
Talking about business cards, is your new city mentioned on your business card? If it isn’t and you don’t yet have a professional business address in your new territory, you may want to think about getting a registered business address through a virtual office.
Virtual offices, as the name suggests, are offices which businesses don’t actually occupy, but use as a registered business address. A receptionist at a virtual office can answer and redirect calls to your mobile, meaning you aren’t disrupted from your work and giving your business a much more professional image.
Furthermore, having a credible business address in a prime city stamped across your business cards will portray your business in a more professional light when you’re networking and attempting to grow your contacts list in a new city.
3. Co-working
Taking advantage of co-working office space can be another key move in meeting like-minded people, building up a network of contacts and helping your business grow in a new city – without even having to make the effort of attending networking events.
Co-working in a well-facilitated and popular co-working office space such as Carrwood Park, can be a cost-effective solution to networking whilst you work. Without an expensive office lease to sign, that ties you to the same office space for a certain period, co-working offices are a sensible way to become accustomed to a new city and build up contacts in a professional environment.
These increasingly popular shared office space communities are helping professionals, SMEs and even larger businesses conduct business in a professional and cost-effective environment, which can ultimately help their business grow, flourish and succeed.
From initiating a conversation at the photocopier to asking someone where sells a decent lunch, joining a co-working office is an invaluable step in helping you settle into a new city, network effectively and nurture business success.
For more information about getting your networking feats off to a stella start in Leeds, effective virtual office solutions or high quality co-working office spaces to rent in Leeds, get in contact with Carrwood Park.