Why it’s important to network virtually during COVID-19
Why it’s important to network virtually during COVID-19
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For businesses of all shapes and sizes, getting “rings” are vital for success. Doorbell rings, telephone rings and cash register rings help make a day rewarding. However, as you might have noticed, successful days at work for most businesses look much different than they did two months ago.
Now is the time to sharpen your 30-second commercial and get involved in virtual networking opportunities provided by the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance. This is your chance to collect more rings even while stuck at home. The Alliance provides two virtual networking events monthly.
Networking is beneficial for many reasons:
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It’s complimentary. There is no cost to attend a virtual networking event that is likely full of like-minded people that you can work with or learn from in some way.
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It’s a valuable use of your time. Networking can now be done from the office or home and doesn’t require to you close shop and miss an opportunity for a sale.
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It is your chance to make a lasting impression in the minds of people you meet. You give others the chance to get to know you and your product or service.
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It provides you value in forming relationships and maintaining a strong contact base.
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It helps connect young professionals with more seasoned professionals and investors.
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It helps make connections with nonprofits in which you can contribute your time or money.
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It makes you more visible in your community.
Networking gives you access to marketing your business and yourself. As they say, your net worth is only as strong as your network.
Now is the time to start networking. Now is the time to get more “rings”. Look for opportunities in our award-winning A.M. Alliance morning event or our late-afternoon Commerce and Cocktails Virtual Networking event.
You can register for these events and others like them here.
Testimonials on the value of networking
Abe Loper, Senior Partner with The Caylor Group
“Networking is important to me because it's really nothing more than making new friends. The more people you know, the more resources are available to you, the more perspectives you have access to, and the more you understand your community. Sure, there's a business goal attached to your new friendships, but people can tell if you're interested in them as individuals or just interested in making a sale.
Real networking is about being interested in individuals and businesses so that you can learn what they need and how to meet that need, even if it means that you can't help them through your business, but you're able to refer them to a reputable service provider.
It's incredibly difficult to really know how your business community is operating and how it's interwoven into the other elements of your community. Networking makes it less difficult. I consider networking events through the Alliance to be a vital and nonnegotiable part of my annual business plan.”
Laura Kinzer of the Salty Blonde Spalon
"A.M. Alliance meetings have helped me meet other businessmen and women, as well as local leaders that have helped me cultivate my mindset in the business world. With the help of the Alliance members from other industries, i.e. finance, marketing and business, I have gained knowledge of my true potential and gained clients for my staff, repetitive business and referrals.
Sometimes it isn't how you go about doing something it's who you may know that can be a helping hand to get you there. I have learned more than a few times that having members introduce me to other people they may know helps my efforts along the way, especially when opening my upcoming Cosmetology School. Being a part of this organization has been one of the best decisions I have made business-wise."
Dan Ebersold of Gates Flag and Banner Company, Inc.
"Understanding that our business is unique, we rely on networking to get our message across. We are not the type of business that would thrive by having a store, so we lack the foot traffic, which doesn’t allow for people to really see what we do. The easiest way for me to connect with people is face-to-face. Billboards and magazines are great at creating a picture, but the face-to-face interaction allows me to tell the story."
