Build Your Brand With These 5 Sources of Face-to-Face InteractionGetting to know people isn't as easy as it used to be. But without the customer connection, there is no business.
ByJeff Boss•
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
With face-to-face transactions becoming less and less prevalent, entrepreneurs should leverage every chance they get to betterunderstand their business landscapeif they want to distinguish themselves from the competition.
Let's face it. Texting is easier than talking. Emails are easier than calls. However, what neither of these technology mediums offers is the human component, which isexactlywhat drives sales. Sure, customers buy your service, but first they buyyou --your personality, values, smile and honesty. People buy from others, repeatedly, who they like and trust, and the service that follows is icing on the cake.
Related:8 Tips for Turning Email Introductions Into Actual Relationships
However, getting to know people isn't as easy as it used to be. More than anything, doing so absorbs valuable time that could otherwise be spent on more important things, such as making money, right?
Wrong. Without the customer connection, there is no business. To mitigate this, here are five places to keep the human factor in your business:
1. Events
Business Networking Internationalis the largest business networking organization in the world with more than 170,000 members worldwide.PowerCoreis another one, designed to spread business awareness by word of mouth and "to learn about each other's businesses, build credibility and then make introductions."
2. Groups
There's pretty much a group for every interest out there -- even ones you had no idea existed, such as the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts, Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and even an Association for Astrological Networking for all you fortune-teller types (I can't make this stuff up).
Meetupsare another great source for diversifying your social appetite as they offer a consortium of personal and professional groups.
At the end of the day, there's really no excuse for not finding the right group for your business. The best part is, if the group doesn't exist, incite that entrepreneurial flame and create one!
Related:How to Start a Conversation With Strangers at a Networking Event
3. Chambers of commerce
These are perhaps the most well-known places for business enhancement. Most chambers of commerce host networking events in your city designed to boost awareness about local businesses, ranging from breakfasts to speaking events.
4. Eventbrite
What's better than attending Beerfest orhouse party beer pongto meet like-minded people to grow your business? Conferences. Aside from feeding the inner party animal within you,Eventbriteoffers a consortium of conferences to attend including real estate, women's leadership, health and wellness, jobs summits and business planning. Don't see any events of interest? Create your own. Eventbrite even offers ticketing with QR code scanning, guest lists and a personalized webpage for the event.
5. Business journals
Here you can findseminars on business development. Even more valuable (at least in my humble opinion) are theweekly tipsaimed specifically at improving business effectiveness and efficiency.
Social media may be the name of the game, but the human side of business isn't dead yet. People are still social creatures, which means they crave significance and affiliation with others. Leverage your business networking opportunities and diversity your marketing stream -- it's just another way to distinguish yourself from the competition and build your brand.
