Rural Alberta Business Centre teaches the importance of self promotion

Networking is one of the most important elements to a successful business, explains small business adviser at the Rural Alberta Business Centre, in Cold Lake, Kathryn Hotte. “People ask, ‘why do you network?’ Some people think they’ll open up a business and people are going to come rushing. It doesn’t work that way.”

“You have to get out there, build your brand and shake some hands,” Hotte says that the public perception is important, “you are your brand and you’re selling yourself.” A common sales saying is, ‘people aren’t buying your products, they’re buying you’, which couldn’t be more true, says Hotte. “You have to get out there and get your business out there; be known by just a few people.”

“Networking is an opportunity to get out there, meet new contacts and get some support. It’s about finding profitable connections for everyone in your network,” Hotte says your services may not be beneficial to everyone you meet, but guaranteed everyone you meet knows someone who could use your services or products, “it’s word-of-mouth.”

Hotte hooked LCN up with one freebee tip before the event, always know who’s attending the event. She says prior to attending any networking event, a savvy networker will call the host and ask for a guest list. There are benefits to this:

1. If it’s the same people who are always at the same events as you or that you already have connections with and know well, then you may want to save your time (and money in some cases) and not attend that event.
2. If there is someone you’ve always wanted to meet, you can do your homework and plan out how you’d like to approach that person.

Hotte says for any RABC event if someone calls her she’ll let them know who is attending the event.

The best part about this Wednesday’s seminar is, it’s free. “It’s Christmas, we don’t want to charge anyone, so it’s free,” Hotte explains by partnering with the MFRC the event will come at no cost for the public to attend. “They’re going to provide the room, we’ll provide a continential breakfast and there will be some door prizes & giveaways. A little bit more special, than we would normally do because it’s Christmas.”

There is still limited space available to attend the seminar, which is by RSVP only, so call ahead to the RABC 780-584-1090.