Build your network
Building a business network can be challenging but it is essential to grow meaningful connections and develop your startup. A good network of business contacts can become one of your strongest assets.
Here are some tips on how to connect with the right people to expand your business network in North America:
- Define your objectives and do some research
Who do you want to meet and why? These two simple questions will help you focus your efforts. Prior to starting to develop your network, do some research to understand the local market and its dynamics. Identify some of the leaders in your industries and people with large networks related to your industry. Upon identifying them, take a look at the events they participate in, the business groups and associations they are affiliated with, the individuals within their network, etc.
- Give and receive
When people in your network get stronger, you also get stronger. In networking situations, people expect you to ask them for help. If you turn that around and also offer support, your networking partner will likely be grateful and more enthusiastic about returning the favor. The goal is to create relationships that are beneficial for both of you or one of you might feel like this relationship is not worth their time.
- Think long term
Networking involves more than simply swapping business cards and linking up on LinkedIn. The true value of networking emerges when enduring, mutually advantageous connections are established. Constructing relationships requires time, so practice patience. Keep in touch with individuals you resonate with.
- Start networking online
Before starting networking online make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date because it is probably the first place people will look at to get some information about you (see our lesson about creating and updating your LinkedIn profile). In addition to LinkedIn, you should consider exploring other networking options such as Discord or open Slack communities. Be an active member in these communities by sharing relevant content, sharing your expertise, or being a connector.
- Attend in-person events
In addition to cultivating and broadening your virtual network, you can connect and reconnect with leads and partners by participating in different offline events such as industry-specific events, trade shows, conferences, and seminars.
If you are located in Vancouver, we recommend you attend our different social offline events as well as our Launch Builders meetup. Here is a great list compiled by Launch’s CEO Ray Walia on the top networking meetups and events that you can attend in Vancouver – Vancouver’s Top 15 Tech Meetups & Events: The Ultimate Networking List.
If you are not in the city, you can always get a headstart, and join virtual conferences and meetups that align with your company. You can also check out Eventbrite, Meetup, or local tech association websites for upcoming events in your area or join online communities like Reddit’s r/startups and r/entrepreneur for networking and advice.
- Don’t be afraid of getting rejected
As you challenge yourself across various life domains, setbacks will happen. In the same way in networking, encountering rejection is common. Calls and emails might be overlooked, meeting invitations and introduction requests declined. Yet, experiencing rejection is always better than not attempting at all. Embrace rejections as learning opportunities, fortifying yourself for future occurrences.
- Build yourself a reputation
Networking isn’t about the hard sell. In professional environments, individuals tend to establish business connections with those they perceive as valuable. Developing a reputation as a skilled, supportive, and valuable individual encourages others to have a stronger inclination to connect and maintain contact with you. Sharing your achievements and knowledge through blogging, emails, and conversations is a way to inform others about your progress and insights.
Suggested Prompts
How can you effectively measure the success of your networking efforts over time?
What specific strategies can you use to build and maintain long-term, mutually beneficial relationships within your industry?
In what ways can leveraging online communities and offline events complement each other to enhance your startup’s growth?
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Introduction and Onboarding
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Welcome to Startup 101 - Ideation module!
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What is Launch?
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Meet the Launch team
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Get connected to our network
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What to Expect
CHAPTER 1 : CUSTOMER DISCOVERY AND LEAN CANVAS
Released on February 18, 2024
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Chapter 1: Customer Discovery and Lean Canvas
Defining Your Startup Idea
Released on February 18, 2024
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Articulate your startup idea
Forming Your Core Team
Released on February 18, 2024
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Team and background
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Do you need a cofounder?
Market and Competition
Released on February 18, 2024
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Market analysis
Competitors analysis
Released on February 18, 2024
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Competitor analysis
Build Your Lean Canvas
Released on February 18, 2024
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The Lean Canvas
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The Lean Canvas - Capture Your Business Model in 20 Minutes - Lean Canvas
Find Your Early Adopters
Released on February 18, 2024
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Talk To Your Customers
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Find Your Early Adopters
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Build your Predictive Persona
User Interviews
Released on February 18, 2024
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#1 User interview - Path to product
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#2 User interview
Defining Your Value Proposition
Released on February 18, 2024
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#1 Determine your value proposition
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#2 Determine your value proposition
Build your pitch deck
Released on February 18, 2024
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#1 The art of the pitch
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#2 The art of the pitch
Build your website
Released on February 18, 2024
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Name & Logo
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Create your landing page
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Building a landing page with Canva from start to finish
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Website - Information architecture
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Website - Hosting & Building
CHAPTER 2: PRODUCT MARKET FIT & MARKET RESEARCH
Released on February 18, 2024
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Chapter 2: Product market fit and market research
Finding Your Product Market Fit
Released on February 18, 2024
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How to find product-market fit and your go-to-market strategy with Max Menke of GrowthX
Market Research and Creating a Go-to-Market Strategy
Released on February 18, 2024
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Conduct market research in North America
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Go to Market strategy
CHAPTER 3 : BUILD YOUR PRODUCT
Released on February 18, 2024
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Chapter 3: Build your product
Building Your Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and Prototyping
Released on February 18, 2024
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Prototype
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Creating your MVP
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How to build the right product - TTT Studios
User Testing & Gathering Feedback
Released on February 18, 2024
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User testing: why is it important?
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User testing: Collect feedback & update your MVP
Product Demo
Released on February 18, 2024
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Create a striking Product Demo
Revenue model
Released on February 18, 2024
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Revenue model
Get your first customers & generate revenue
Released on February 18, 2024
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Pricing strategy
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Build your payment process
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Get your first customers
CHAPTER 4: MARKETING, PR & BRAND IDENTITY
Released on February 18, 2024
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Chapter 4: Marketing, PR & Brand Identity
Start building your brand
Released on February 18, 2024
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Branding and messaging strategy
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List your product on Product Hunt
Marketing & PR
Released on February 18, 2024
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Marketing & PR
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AMA with Vik Kambli - Marketing, Data, Attribution and Platforms
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7 Google Ads optimization tips to drive conversions with Preeteesh Singh
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How to Do PR with No Budget with Gina Gotthilf
Social media footprint
Released on February 18, 2024
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Create/update your LinkedIn profile for yourself and your company
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Create/update your Angel List profile
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Social Media’s beginners guide
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Content is Queen
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Engage Your Audience in a Virtual World Through Content
CHAPTER 5: FUNDRAISING & FINANCES
Released on February 18, 2024
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Chapter 5: Fundraising and Finances
Elevator pitch
Released on February 18, 2024
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Elevator pitch
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How To Not Suck At Pitching Your Startup with Rajiv Nathan, Startup Hypeman
Develop your network
Released on February 18, 2024
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Build your network
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Vancouver’s Tech Ecosystem w/ William Johnson
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Develop partnerships
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AMA with Kelly Hoey
Fundraising
Released on February 18, 2024
Accounting and Finances
Released on February 18, 2024
WRAP UP
Released on February 18, 2024