No matter your profession, ours is food and drink PR and all the digital elements that now sit alongside PR, there is much to be said about the power and value of networking. Networking can take many shapes and forms including industry events such as exhibitions, events run by professional associations such as the Chamber of Commerce or online sessions.
Networking can benefit your career, your company or your own business and opens up doors you never knew existed. Here are five reasons why we love to network:
1. Contacts
Okay, so a physical little black book may not exist anymore but networking is a fantastic way to grow your network of business leads and contacts as a food and drink PR. Whatever you are looking for, whether it’s the next step up the career ladder, or looking to outsource elements of your business to new suppliers or new clients, networking brings people together whose paths would not otherwise have crossed.
2. Idea generation in Food and Drink PR
Networking events can be a platform for creativity, brainstorming and idea generation. Talking to like-minded people with a shared interest will often lead to new ideas being formed.
As others listen to you talk about your business they can often bring a fresh perspective that is new and different. Let’s face it – when we are so absorbed in our own world, it can be hard to think outside the box and see things differently – networking can do this for you. Our team loves going to Roxhill events to learn from journalists in the industry!
3. Workplace wellbeing
It’s no secret that the pandemic took its toll on the mental health of the nation and that applies to workplace wellbeing, but it has shown us that getting out and meeting people plays a very important role in both our wellbeing and business.
As well as promoting creativity, fresh thinking and promoting a healthy outlook.
4. Business Visibility
Networking will give your business greater levels of visibility and the potential for new clients, leads and contacts. Often at events, there will be an opportunity to introduce your business in a way that brings your personality and the ethos of the business to life. People respond to people so this valuable opportunity to present your company engagingly and interestingly will reap far greater rewards than cold calling or emailing.
5. Confidence
Networking doesn’t come naturally to everyone, so if this is you, events can be a great way to build confidence in yourself and your business. Networking events tend to be a positive environment, where everyone has a thirst for knowledge about other businesses and an interest in the opportunities that may exist.
Once you try food and drink PR networking and start to reap the rewards it brings and the new contacts and even friends it creates, there will be no turning back.
