Networking

Networking Basics Disclaimer

Use the Opportunities Available to You

The Small Business Support Network helps registered visitors to network with other businesses and "spread the word" about what you've got to offer.

Obviously, simply listing your business details in our Business Directory is a good start... but it's only just that - a start!

If that's all you do to promote your business on the Internet... you'll be very disappointed, especially as there are so many other free or low cost opportunities readily available.

You should exploit all the networking opportunities here on the Small Business Support Network

These include:

Browse or search the SBSN Business Directory and do some research on who else is using the services of SBSN. Communicate by email with these people in some "fair dinkum" business-to-business networking.

The various Small Business Articles featured on this site use material mostly from non-Internet sources - you won't find most of them anywhere else on the 'net. If you've got something to contribute here, then get in touch with us. We'll gladly publish your original material on SBSN.

What About Other Web Sites?

There are two networking opportunities you should concentrate on when visiting other sites of relevance to your business area... and most people overlook these opportunities completely:

Firstly, use the public guestbook or feedback area to make a positive comment about the site. Add a short statement about your business, and make sure you include your email and/or URL in the body of your message. People read these guestbooks, and your comments might generate some leads. Since guestbooks are "trimmed" regularly, re-visit the site and add new comments at a later date.

The other opportunity worth trying, provided you word it properly, is to send the same complimentary message to the webmaster or contact person for the web site. Trust me... I just love the warm fuzzies when I read such email... If you also ask nicely to include your web site or contact details somewhere on my site, you've put me in the right mood to at least consider it.

But please... don't ask me! Just fill out the registration form here, and your details will be listed!

And Then... There's Email

That is... the bottom four to six lines of their email provides information on their business and contact details... a little like an electronic business card!

You can set your email program to automatically include a signature file on any mail you send out! It's worth doing, because it provides additional stimulus to the reader which may trigger them into action.

And believe it... it really DOES make a difference to any email message, making it much more "professional".