Networking can take on a variety of different forms. With more and more ways to keep in touch appearing every day, it’s sometimes difficult to work out what you should be spending time on.

First of all, it’s important to work out who you’re trying to network with. Are you trying to make contact with new people or are you trying to get more from those who are existing contacts of yours, getting them to spend more or pass on your details to their own contacts?

Most businesses like yours are looking to do a combination of both, bringing new potential customers on board while making sure existing customers remember you and spread the word.

Next, you need to work out where you can find those people you’re targeting. Firstly, find out where your existing customers go to network – are they regulars at the local FSB meeting? Are they members of the local Chamber?

Give member organisations and networking groups a call to find out what type of companies are members – could these companies be interested in the types of products and services you offer? If so, go along and get involved!

Finally, remember it’s not all about face to face. The rise of online networking and social media means that you can now network at any time of day, from anywhere.

Particularly useful in terms of in-depth business networking is LinkedIn. LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 277 million users, so there are sure to be plenty of new and existing contacts for you to interact with.

The various features of LinkedIn allow you to start discussions, connect with new and existing customers to broaden your network, and send direct messages to engage more people – all free of charge and all very easy to use. Using LinkedIn with a combination of other social networking tools such as Twitter (particularly taking advantage of Twitter ‘hours’ and other organised networking streams) can all add to your face to face networking effort and ensure that you reach every potential customer you can!

Superfast North Yorkshire’s business support team are now adding a Networking Club to their existing range of services, offering members the opportunity to attend bi-monthly networking events, add their business listing to the SFNY website business directory, join the SFNY LinkedIn group and access the members’ area of the website for useful downloads.

For more information and to sign up, call 0845 002 0021, email enquiries@sfny.co.uk or visit www.sfny.co.uk