Learning how to network is an essential skill for any professional, and that includes accountants. Networking opens the door to new opportunities for growth and referrals. Despite the benefits, many accountants feel intimidated by the idea of attending networking events and making new professional connections.
These tips can help make the process less overwhelming and more enjoyable.
Networking as an accountant doesn't have to be complicated. The goal is to build and nurture professional relationships.
Here's how to network the right way:
Remember that successful networking is about give and take
Many professionals make the mistake of viewing networking purely as a tool for self-promotion. But successful networking is about giving as much as you are taking.
Rather than focusing on selling your services, focus on listening to others and finding ways to help. Help can come in the form of sharing a useful article or connecting them with someone who can solve a problem for them.
Positioning yourself as a resource will make you a valuable connection and benefit you in the future. When you find yourself in need of help, your contacts will remember how you helped them in the past.
Ultimately, networking is about maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with other professionals.
Connect with other business professionals and your peers
As an accountant, it's important to network with the right people. Other business professionals, such as bankers, attorneys and financial advisors, can prove to be valuable contacts. They may have clients needing your accounting services, and they won't be in direct competition with your firm.
These business professionals shouldn't be the only ones on your contact list, however. Many accountants shy away from networking with their peers because they view them as competition. However, other accountants can be a great source of knowledge and may also provide referrals.
If an accountant doesn't offer the service a client needs and you do, they may send their business your way. Connecting with accountants offering complementing services you don't provide can be a mutually beneficial relationship.
Be yourself
Even if you're introverted at heart, like many accountants, you can still excel at networking. The key is to be yourself.
Regardless of your personality type, always be authentic in your interactions with other professionals.
Don't ignore online networking
Networking events are great, but you can't ignore online networking. Nearly
- Identify the social platforms your ideal client uses. Where is your audience? You'll find a lot of professionals use Facebook and LinkedIn. You can also use Instagram for brand awareness and Twitter.
- Locate people you want in your network. If you're an accountant for small businesses, start following owners and businesses in this industry. You'll want to search them out and then join the conversation organically.
- Engage. Start engaging with the people you want to network with, whether this means replying to one of their posts, commenting or sharing one of their posts. Over time, you can then message the person or answer any questions they ask to get their attention.
- Show personality: Social media is filled with a lot of "noise." You need to show your personality in your posts and responses to people. Find interest in the person's business or life and find ways to be yourself.
You should also connect online via peer networks. As mentioned previously, there are a lot of accountants who don't specialize in your area of expertise who may consider referring you to others or use your services in the future.
It's also good to have a vast network of accounting and financial professionals you can rely on — and they can rely on you, too.
You might even find yourself referring others in the peer network to your clients or potential leads when you can't meet their needs.
Follow up
Following up with your network is so important. Yet less than
You may meet someone at a key event, but if you never follow up with them, it's a wasted opportunity on a potentially good impression you've made.
You should take time to:
- Email the contact and tell them it was nice to meet them;
- Reach out to the contact to ask them to go to lunch or an event in the future; and,
- Try staying in contact with the individual.
Networking as an accountant is an art that anyone can become a rock star at. However, remember that it doesn't stop just at an initial meeting; you must take the time to nurture these relationships. These individuals will often become mentors, friends and people that will happily send you referrals in the future.
