There
are many benefits to attending a Networking
Event and seeing as there are so many being
organised, there will be one near you.
1.
Meeting like-minded people who understand what
you are doing and provide a supportive environment
for you to learn more. This is particularly
important if your family and friends just don’t
get it. Investing in property can be a very
lonely activity.
2. The ability to find contacts and
service providers from word of mouth recommendation,
to minimise the element of trial and error that
most investors experience.
3.
The opportunity to keep up to date with what
is happening in the property market and new
strategies. This is particularly important now
when the market has changed so much over the
last 18 months. The strategies which worked
two years ago are probably not the best strategies
to use right now.
4.
To find other investors who can look after your
property for you and even source good investment
opportunities. This is particularly useful if
you want to invest in an area a fair distance
from where you live. Simply attend a few networking
events close to your desired investment area
and you will probably find full time investors
who can help look after and grow your portfolio.
So
as you can see there are lots of great reasons
to attend these events, so get along to at least
one of the meetings listed above!
The
way of the world is meeting people through other
people. - Robert Kerrigan
Here are 3 steps to maximise
your networking experience:
1. Before you go to
the event:
Work
out what you want to achieve by attending. Maybe
you want to find someone who can recommend a
good handyman or letting agent in your area,
or you want an investor to put some money into
a joint venture. Whatever it is, write down
a clear intention so that when you meet people
at the event you can clearly explain what you
are looking for. Also think about any other
investors who you know who might be interested
in attending such an event and invite them to
come along with you. Finally make sure you have
some business cards to take with you for when
people want your contact details. They don’t
have to be fancy or expensive cards just something
with all your details on. You can get some free
business cards from people like www.VistaPrint.co.uk
2. At the event:
Plan
to arrive early and leave late. Speak to as
many people as you can. Of course you should
say hello to the people you already know but
make sure you also speak to people who you don’t
know. When you meet someone ask them what their
name is, where they are from, what they want
to get out of the meeting and how you can help
them. Be interested in them first rather than
telling all about you. Look for how you can
help the people you meet. Also think about people
you already know who may like to meet them.
Make sure you also collect cards from all the
people you meet. You may also like to write
a little note on the card to remind you what
they were interested in and how you might be
able to help.
3. After the event:
When
you get home go through all of the business
cards you have collected. Send a follow up email
or text to everyone you met. Reconnect with
them and send them any information and contact
details you promised to give them. It is best
to do this follow up the day after the event
so that people remember you and the conversation.
Keep in touch with them and build your personal
contact list. There is no doubt the more people
you know the more successful you will be because
you will have a number of people you can call
or email for advice and help.
There is of course another point to consider
about networking. I think many investors don’t
attend networking meetings because they really
don’t like the idea of going into a room
full of strangers and having to make small talk!
The thing to remember is that the vast majority
of people at these events are very friendly,
approachable and happy to talk with you about
property. You already have a common interest
with everyone who is going to be there. I understand
that some people may be nervous but it is good
to push yourself outside of your comfort zone
occasionally. I like to think that at the pin
meetings we aim to make everyone as welcome
as possible. We have a formal networking part
of the evening which makes it easier to connect
with other investors and make some new friends.
I
have also met some experienced investors who
don’t believe they could gain anything
by attending a networking event because they
are already very successful and think they know
it all. Well the fact is you can never know
everything. You can also build on your knowledge
if you are open to it.
