Are you a proud competition business owner? We thought so! Come a little closer. We’ve got a feeling you’ll like what we’re about to tell you — a one-word secret which will help your competition business grow.
‘Networking.’
Networking is often perceived as a ‘pitch fest,’ a room filled with strangers eager to try and sell themselves. But that’s not true. In reality, networking is one of the best ways to grow your business — especially if you’re in the competition industry.
How?
We’re glad you asked, because we’ve got your answer:
Networking is a great way to stay up-to-date with industry trends, news, and developments. You can learn so much from others — be it useful strategies, emerging trends, or changing customer behaviour. Literally anything! So, keep your notebook close and pencil sharpened, because you’ll want to be taking notes.
Whether you’re a newbie in the competition industry or not, this information’s always helpful to know. It’ll help you tailor your own strategies and business practices, suited for growth. And who better to receive these updates from than industry experts, right?
Listening to industry experts isn’t just informative, it’s inspiring. These are people who know your industry inside-out and who’ve likely experienced some obstacles in the past, so they’ll have some fantastic tips. Them overcoming challenges, big or small, makes you realise just how much is possible! If they persevere and grow their business, so can you.
Also, hey: you now possess expert knowledge. Not everyone can say that!
With great networking come great connections. It happens naturally — especially if you go in ready to chat and share ideas (refer to the first point).
It’s important to view everyone at the event as more than just your competition. Think of them as your partners, or potential collaborators. It’s not an event about immediate transactions, but rather building meaningful (and long-lasting) relationships in the industry. It’s about continuous learning. You’re all just trying to win at the business game, and that’s something worth celebrating.
Building trust with others in the industry helps you establish new relationships. You never know when these will come in handy! These contacts could help you out with future sales, collaborations, and sharing of resources. If you’re a newbie, they can also help make your business more visible. All of these can help your business grow.
Oh, and as a sweet bonus, you also get a friend out of all this! Win-wins all around.
Speaking of boosting your brand visibility, attending a networking event naturally helps you become more ‘known.’ However, just being there isn’t enough for others to remember your name. Slip your business card to your peers, experts, or speakers at the event. Ask them questions. Speak to others, about competitions and also other things. Present a little something yourself. Get to know people, and allow them to get to know you, too.
The more you do to stand out (though perhaps dressing up as a clown isn’t the best idea for making a splash), the more people will remember who you are, thus boosting your brand visibility. The more people know about you, the bigger your chance of growing. It’s easy maths!
Attending networking events with like-minded individuals helps foster a sense of community. It gives you room to freely talk about your business and online gaming, and literally create a network of people who share your struggles and wins.
Running a business can sometimes feel a little lonely, especially if you’re doing everything solo. There aren’t many places for the competition industry to come together in the UK, either. That is, until Zap Meet was born.
Zap Meet isn’t just another networking event. It’s much more than that: it’s a chance to connect with Team Zap and others in the UK’s competition industry, face-to-face. It’s a day filled with expert insider knowledge, fostering meaningful relationships, and getting a scoop on Zap’s newest features. Some good ol’ fashioned Scottish fun is also included.
Zap Meet is a fantastic opportunity for growing your business. If you’d like to learn more, take a look at our website and read our article on what to expect from the event.
Don’t worry, though. You don’t have to wait till the next Zap Meet to start growing your business. We can start today. All you need to do is contact us, and our team of experts will be right on it.
