Why networking matters when you become a Get Ahead franchisee
Networking is a key part of the franchisee role when you join Get Ahead. It’s an important way of finding new leads and building lasting working relationships.
In this blog, we look at why networking is such an important part of the franchisee role. We also share our tips for successful networking. Let’s take a closer look.
Why is networking important for Get Ahead franchisees?
If you’re not yet familiar with the Get Ahead business model, we’ll take a moment to explain it. Get Ahead franchisees, called regional directors or RDs, find business support work and pass it to the eighty-strong team of virtual experts who deliver it. RDs might be approached by businesses looking for social media management, accounting, a new website or something else. The team of experts do whatever is required while the RD continues to connect with other businesses who need support. At the end of each month, the RD invoices the client and pays the virtual expert(s) and themselves out of the client’s payment.
What this means in practice is that networking is vital for Get Ahead success. Face-to-face or online networking is one of the key ways for RDs to connect with business who might need Get Ahead’s services.
Is networking just about getting more clients?
Yes and no. Networking is certainly a great way to meet future clients. But it’s also a great way to build your business family and create lasting working relationships. You might also meet new team members.
For example, you might meet a graphic designer at networking. They might not have work for you immediately, but if you form a bond, you might well be their first port of call when they do need business support. In addition, the graphic designer might be able to introduce you to a new client. They might have done some design for someone who also needs social media support. The graphic designer can’t provide the social media, but now they’ve met you, they know that Get Ahead can fill that gap. Building on the good relationship, they might well recommend you to their client.
It’s also a two-way street. If you’re genuinely impressed by the graphic design your contact produces, you might like to bring them onto the Get Ahead team. That way, when you’re approached by a client who wants a new logo, you’ll have a great new local team member to connect them with.
Five top tips for networking
- Set a goal. Before you set off for networking, set yourself a rough goal for the session. It might be to have a particular conversation with someone you know will be there. Alternatively, you might decide to promote something relevant, like phone answering services in the run up to holiday season.
- Be strategic. Try to talk to people who have a good network of their own – they might be able to introduce you to future clients.
- Remember to listen as well as talk. It’s important to promote Get Ahead, but it’s also important to listen to what others there really need. That way, you can decide whether you’re the best person to help. And if you are, you’ll be able to offer the best service.
- Use existing content for presentations and elevator pitches. Get Ahead franchisees are free to use all the collateral our in-house team have put together. Repurpose blogs, videos and social media posts for your networking audience. It can save a lot of time and stress, particularly if your networking session comes at the end of a busy week!
- Book one-to-ones. You don’t need to do all your networking in the allotted session. Take your diary and book one-to-one meetings for other days so you get to have proper conversations anyone you need to.
Become a Get Ahead franchisee
If you’re already a successful networker or you think you’d be good at it, we’d love to hear from you. Networking is an important part of being a Get Ahead franchisee and building relationships is a key skill we look for. If you think you could be our next franchisee, explore the site to find out more or book in a chat with our founder Rebecca.
