You’ve just launched your business. Or you’re starting over in a new industry. Or you’ve realized that your current network no longer aligns with what you’re doing today. In all these cases, the reality is the same: you’re practically starting from scratch.
And the question that inevitably arises is: Where do I start?
Good news: Building a solid business network doesn’t require an extroverted personality or an already well-stocked address book. It requires a strategy, consistency, and a few simple habits to adopt.
What exactly is networking?
Let’s start by dispelling a myth: networking isn’t about handing out business cards to everyone in a room and hoping the phone rings.
Networking is about building authentic, mutually beneficial professional relationships. It’s about knowing people who know you, who understand what you do, and who think of you when the time is right.
It doesn’t happen overnight. But it’s built, one conversation at a time.
Step 1: Know How to Introduce Yourself Clearly
Before meeting anyone, ask yourself this question: Can I explain what I do in 30 seconds, clearly and memorably?
Not a corporate pitch. Not a list of services. A simple sentence that answers: what you do, for whom, and what problem you solve.
For example: “I help small and medium-sized businesses and car dealerships that want to structure their business development and automate their customer follow-up.” Short, precise, and easy to remember.
If the people around you can’t explain what you do, you have some work to do before you even start networking.
Step 2: Start with What You Already Have
Starting from scratch doesn’t mean you don’t have anyone. It means you haven’t yet activated your network in this new context.
Make a list of the people you already know: former coworkers, clients from a previous job, dormant LinkedIn contacts, neighbors, and members of your professional family. Among these people, who could benefit from what you do? Who knows people in your target industry?
Reach out to them. Not to sell. To reconnect, share what you’re doing now, and see how you can help each other.
Step 3: Choose the Right Places to Network
You don’t need to be everywhere. You need to be in the right places, on a regular basis.
Here are some concrete ideas:
- Local business associations and chambers of commerce in your area
- Structured networking groups like BNI (Business Network International), where each member commits to actively referring others
- Industry-specific events related to your target industry
- LinkedIn, used actively: regular posts, relevant comments, personalized messages
- Professional training sessions and workshops, where you meet people who are investing in their own development
Choose two or three places and be a consistent presence there. Consistency builds familiarity, and familiarity builds trust.
Step 4: Give Before You Receive
The natural instinct when starting out is to look for clients. But people who build the best networks think first about how they can help others.
Refer a contact to someone who could help them. Share a useful resource. Offer advice without expecting anything in return. Highlight someone’s work in your network on LinkedIn.
These small gestures create a natural sense of reciprocity. People think of you because you’ve thought of them.
Step 5: Nurture, Don’t Just Collect
A network that isn’t nurtured will fade away. Adding contacts without ever reaching out to them again is like filling an address book and never opening it.
Get into the habit of reconnecting regularly with your key contacts: a message to celebrate an achievement, a relevant article to share, or an invitation to grab a coffee. This isn’t solicitation—it’s relationship-building.
A vibrant network is one that’s nurtured. And a well-nurtured network is your best source of referrals and opportunities.
Want to structure your business development from the start?
Building a network is just one piece of the puzzle. But for it to generate tangible results, you also need a clear strategy, tracking tools, and a consistent approach. That’s exactly what we set up at Drive for entrepreneurs who want to get off on the right foot or pick up the pace.
Let’s take 30 minutes to discuss it. Book your free call here.
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*BNI stands for Business Network International—it’s the world’s largest structured business networking organization. Here’s how it works: you join a local group (called a “chapter”) of about 20 to 40 members, with only one person per profession or industry. So there’s no direct competition within the group. Every week, the chapter meets (often early in the morning), and each member has a few minutes to introduce themselves and ask for specific referrals. The model is based on “Givers Gain”—you give referrals to others, and others give them back to you. It’s very common in Quebec, and it can be a great tool for a startup entrepreneur because the group essentially becomes your volunteer sales force.
