Brand Me Marketing’s Advice On How To Network & Build Relationships

CARDIFF, Wales - Jan. 7, 2014 - PRLog -- One of the most common challenges when it comes to networking is staying in touch with people. It’s will never be enough to just meet someone once, you need to build a strong relationship over time for it to be valuable for both people. What do you need to remember when it comes to successful networking and building relationships?

Brand Me Marketing’s managing director and CEO, Sophie Munslow offers advice on how to effectively build your networking and relationship-building skills. Sophie said, “Relationships require trust and rapport – and both of these things require consistent contact over time. Sometimes, it can be difficult to stay in touch if your schedule isn’t flexible enough. That is the first step to building relationships. Making time for it. Clear your schedule for an hour or two. Always remember why you’re networking to begin with. For mutually beneficial business advice.”

Sophie Munslow of Cardiff based brand awareness, sales, client representation and event marketing firm, Brand Me Marketing recommends that every entrepreneur has 4 or 5 networking associates that develop and maintain relationships with. The three below strategies will help you stay in touch and build professional relationships over time.

Be helpful - People appreciate being offered something of value. By helping people in your network, your network gets stronger, and therefore you get stronger. In addition, per the law of reciprocity, when you are helpful to others, people will feel more inclined to be helpful to you.Send regular updates -Send regular updates about what you’re learning and accomplishing and ask your contacts to do the same. People appreciate you thinking of them and being kept in the loop. Be kept in mind - Building rapport and trust takes time and consistent contact. You don’t want to go long periods of time without being on someone’s mind. Ask people to join you for coffee or invite them to an event you’re attending. In-person contact is extremely important and plays a vital role in building lasting relationships.

Managing Director of Brand Me Marketing also recommends that you utilise online tools. Sophie Munslow said, “Maintain a strong online presence through LinkedIn, Twitter, or other relevant profiles to your industry. For those overly busy periods then using online mediums can help you keep in contact with your networking associates.”