You know your business inside out. You have the knowledge and skills of your industry niche. But here’s the thing. Building a successful business is not only about what you know. In fact, it’s more about who you know. That’s exactly why improving your networking skills is critical to the growth of your business.

One way to improve your networking is by attending conferences and events. You can also book training room rental or classroom rental to organize an event and invite influential people from your industry to speak at your event. That way, you can have more control over your networking. So what are some other ways to improve your entrepreneur network? Here are some ideas.

1. Offer value first
If you want to make a real connection with influential people in your industry, start by helping them without asking anything in return. For instance, you can send emails offering helpful advice on how they can increase revenues. At this stage, your only purpose should be to help them win at their business. Once you win their trust, they are most likely to reciprocate.

2. Share tips and advice on social media
In the same breath, you should help your clients and followers via social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. If you can establish yourself as a helpful resource in your circles, it will pay dividends in the long run.

3. Build relationship with local media
Local newspaper or audio-visual media could be a great networking tool for startups and SMBs. With that in mind, it would be a good idea to follow local news and try networking with your favorite reporters. For instance, you can send them the thank-you email for covering an important story in your area. Or perhaps, invite them to your business events and request them to cover the story of your business.