10 Effective Networking Tips to Improve Your Business
10 Effective Networking Tips to Improve Your Business
Sundar
Sundar
Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026
7 Mins
7 Mins
Networking has always been a core marketing principle. Long before digital tools and platforms existed, businesses grew through relationships, trust, and word of mouth. Even today, networking remains deeply relevant, but doing it well has become harder in a world crowded with noise, competition, and constant outreach.
That’s exactly what this blog is about. It breaks networking down into simple, practical tips that work in today’s environment, across business events, platforms, and everyday habits.
Key Takeaways:
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10 Tips To Build A Great Network With Strong Connections
Attend industry-specific business events
The fastest way to build a sustainable network is to attend events where your target audience is present. These events allow you to:
Meet new and relevant people, including influential decision-makers
Build familiarity and exchange value
Continue networking through natural, unforced after-event rapport-building
Host business events instead of only attending them
Hosting events and creating space for others to connect helps you build one-to-many relationships and widen your network. Start small with formats such as:
Informal meetups
Small roundtables
Coffee catch-ups
Discussion circles
Community-driven events
Co-host or affiliate with complementary communities
Co-hosting and partnerships with relevant communities allow you to tap into shared audiences without starting from scratch. You’re not just sharing audiences; you’re also sharing credibility. These thoughtful collaborations make networking feel curated and not random.
Pro-tips to improve networking through business events:
|
Networking platforms as a tool for relationship-building
Leverage social media channels
Pick the social media platforms where your audience is already active. Some best practices include:
Hosting virtual events and online networking meetings.
Building focused communities or groups.
Participating actively in existing niche groups.
Use LinkedIn to strengthen your online presence
LinkedIn helps position yourself as a valuable presence in your niche. Here’s a three-step action plan to network effectively on platforms like LinkedIn:
Send connection requests and DMs to the most relevant audiences.
Engage contextually and interact appropriately.
Share useful, practical knowledge and value.
Invest in personal branding
Build a recognisable identity around who you are and what you stand for. When done right, personal branding helps your networking by:
Making people want to connect with you and benefit from you
Turning networking into a two-sided exchange, rather than a burden you carry alone
Use networking-friendly CRMs
As your network grows, remembering details about every interaction becomes difficult, but those details are what make networking meaningful. Networking-friendly CRMs like Regards, Nimble, and Folk help bridge this gap. They help you stay organised, network organically, and maintain continuity, while business outcomes emerge as a byproduct.
10 Tips To Build A Great Network With Strong Connections
Attend industry-specific business events
The fastest way to build a sustainable network is to attend events where your target audience is present. These events allow you to:
Meet new and relevant people, including influential decision-makers
Build familiarity and exchange value
Continue networking through natural, unforced after-event rapport-building
Host business events instead of only attending them
Hosting events and creating space for others to connect helps you build one-to-many relationships and widen your network. Start small with formats such as:
Informal meetups
Small roundtables
Coffee catch-ups
Discussion circles
Community-driven events
Co-host or affiliate with complementary communities
Co-hosting and partnerships with relevant communities allow you to tap into shared audiences without starting from scratch. You’re not just sharing audiences; you’re also sharing credibility. These thoughtful collaborations make networking feel curated and not random.
Pro-tips to improve networking through business events:
|
Networking platforms as a tool for relationship-building
Leverage social media channels
Pick the social media platforms where your audience is already active. Some best practices include:
Hosting virtual events and online networking meetings.
Building focused communities or groups.
Participating actively in existing niche groups.
Use LinkedIn to strengthen your online presence
LinkedIn helps position yourself as a valuable presence in your niche. Here’s a three-step action plan to network effectively on platforms like LinkedIn:
Send connection requests and DMs to the most relevant audiences.
Engage contextually and interact appropriately.
Share useful, practical knowledge and value.
Invest in personal branding
Build a recognisable identity around who you are and what you stand for. When done right, personal branding helps your networking by:
Making people want to connect with you and benefit from you
Turning networking into a two-sided exchange, rather than a burden you carry alone
Use networking-friendly CRMs
As your network grows, remembering details about every interaction becomes difficult, but those details are what make networking meaningful. Networking-friendly CRMs like Regards, Nimble, and Folk help bridge this gap. They help you stay organised, network organically, and maintain continuity, while business outcomes emerge as a byproduct.
Other best practices to improve networking:
Turn contacts into an active network
Networking doesn’t demand that you reinvent the wheel. You can start by simply working with your existing contact list, as long as you keep a few things in mind:
Connect with them with a genuine interest,
Stay in touch consistently, and
Focus on relationships rather than transactions.
Over time, this is what turns a list of contacts into a real network.
Don’t push sales
Pushing business or sales too early is one of the fastest ways for networking to fail. Instead, replace follow-ups and enquiries with conversation-led networking. This makes the person on the other end feel like they’re speaking to a fellow human being, not a salesperson.
Offer value before expecting outcomes
Practise value-first networking without expecting immediate returns. This allows networking to achieve its real purpose: connecting, caring, and creating mutual benefit over time.
💡 Did you know? |
Conclusion
In the end, the art of networking works best when it feels less like networking and more like staying in touch. That happens when intention meets technology, practice meets tools, and conversations meet value.
Other best practices to improve networking:
Turn contacts into an active network
Networking doesn’t demand that you reinvent the wheel. You can start by simply working with your existing contact list, as long as you keep a few things in mind:
Connect with them with a genuine interest,
Stay in touch consistently, and
Focus on relationships rather than transactions.
Over time, this is what turns a list of contacts into a real network.
Don’t push sales
Pushing business or sales too early is one of the fastest ways for networking to fail. Instead, replace follow-ups and enquiries with conversation-led networking. This makes the person on the other end feel like they’re speaking to a fellow human being, not a salesperson.
Offer value before expecting outcomes
Practise value-first networking without expecting immediate returns. This allows networking to achieve its real purpose: connecting, caring, and creating mutual benefit over time.
💡 Did you know? |
Conclusion
In the end, the art of networking works best when it feels less like networking and more like staying in touch. That happens when intention meets technology, practice meets tools, and conversations meet value.
Why we built Regards
I’m bad at staying in touch. Not because I don’t value people. Its a lot of work, and I didn’t have a system. This started as my fix. A quiet assistant that helped me nurture relationships thoughtfully. When people noticed the difference and asked what I was doing, it slowly evolved into a product. And the love has been incredible. To celebrate the launch, we’re offering a never-again launch price for real estate agents and anyone whose work runs on relationships. I hope you like it. Regards, Khuze
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best networking platforms for building long-term relationships?
The most effective networking platforms provide visibility while delivering value to your audience, such as LinkedIn communities, Slack or WhatsApp groups for founders, and local business networks. You can also leverage smaller circles like alumni networks, referral groups, and regular meetups, or use simple networking CRMs and contact management tools like Regards and Nimble to stay organized.
Does networking help small businesses grow?
Networking is highly beneficial for small businesses because it works effectively even on a low budget, provides direct access to otherwise unreachable decision-makers, and builds visibility faster and more reliably than most other marketing channels.
If I focus on relationship-building, will I lose business opportunities?
No, focusing on building relationships does not cost you business. It only builds trust and keeps you top of mind, allowing business to follow naturally through repeat work and referrals. But the catch is, you have to do it the right way.
Is investing time in networking really worth it?
Absolutely, yes! Networking compounds over time. While the results may not be immediate, the returns are often deeper, more reliable, and longer-lasting than most other marketing efforts.
What are the best networking platforms for building long-term relationships?
The most effective networking platforms provide visibility while delivering value to your audience, such as LinkedIn communities, Slack or WhatsApp groups for founders, and local business networks. You can also leverage smaller circles like alumni networks, referral groups, and regular meetups, or use simple networking CRMs and contact management tools like Regards and Nimble to stay organized.
Does networking help small businesses grow?
Networking is highly beneficial for small businesses because it works effectively even on a low budget, provides direct access to otherwise unreachable decision-makers, and builds visibility faster and more reliably than most other marketing channels.
If I focus on relationship-building, will I lose business opportunities?
No, focusing on building relationships does not cost you business. It only builds trust and keeps you top of mind, allowing business to follow naturally through repeat work and referrals. But the catch is, you have to do it the right way.
Is investing time in networking really worth it?
Absolutely, yes! Networking compounds over time. While the results may not be immediate, the returns are often deeper, more reliable, and longer-lasting than most other marketing efforts.
What are the best networking platforms for building long-term relationships?
The most effective networking platforms provide visibility while delivering value to your audience, such as LinkedIn communities, Slack or WhatsApp groups for founders, and local business networks. You can also leverage smaller circles like alumni networks, referral groups, and regular meetups, or use simple networking CRMs and contact management tools like Regards and Nimble to stay organized.
Does networking help small businesses grow?
Networking is highly beneficial for small businesses because it works effectively even on a low budget, provides direct access to otherwise unreachable decision-makers, and builds visibility faster and more reliably than most other marketing channels.
If I focus on relationship-building, will I lose business opportunities?
No, focusing on building relationships does not cost you business. It only builds trust and keeps you top of mind, allowing business to follow naturally through repeat work and referrals. But the catch is, you have to do it the right way.
Is investing time in networking really worth it?
Absolutely, yes! Networking compounds over time. While the results may not be immediate, the returns are often deeper, more reliable, and longer-lasting than most other marketing efforts.
Engineer your word of mouth.
Referrals aren't luck—they're the result of staying connected systematically. Join 2,000+ professionals who've turned word-of-mouth into their most predictable revenue source.
Engineer your word of mouth.
Referrals aren't luck—they're the result of staying connected systematically. Join 2,000+ professionals who've turned word-of-mouth into their most predictable revenue source.
Engineer your word of mouth.
Referrals aren't luck—they're the result of staying connected systematically. Join 2,000+ professionals who've turned word-of-mouth into their most predictable revenue source.
Warm connections in a world of cold outreach.
hello@regardsapp.ai
© 2025 Madras Made Digital Solutions Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved.
Warm connections in a world of cold outreach.
hello@regardsapp.ai
© 2025 Madras Made Digital Solutions Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved.
Warm connections in a world of cold outreach.
hello@regardsapp.ai
© 2025 Madras Made Digital Solutions Pvt Ltd. All rights reserved.