Top three challenges small aviation businesses face after attending a business networking events | How to Navigate Them

Hello my friends and welcome to Educated Marketing Decisions, your monthly dose of practical marketing strategies - tailored to the aviation industry! 

Small aviation businesses often face several challenges after attending business networking events, here are three common ones:

1️⃣ Follow-up: One of the biggest challenges small aviation businesses face after a networking event is following up with all the new contacts they've made. It can be difficult to keep track of who they've met, what was discussed, and what the next steps should be.

👉Tip: To navigate this challenge, it's important to have a system in place for organizing and tracking new contacts. This can be as simple as using a spreadsheet or a more sophisticated customer relationship management (CRM) system. It's also a good idea to send a quick email or connect on LinkedIn within 48-72 hours after the event to remind the new contact of who you are and what you discussed.

2️⃣ Lack of Leads: Another challenge small aviation businesses face after attending business networking events are lack of leads or sales opportunities. Even though they may have made many new contacts, they may not see immediate results in the form of new business.

👉Tip: To navigate this challenge, it's important to have realistic expectations and understand that networking is a long-term investment. Building relationships takes time, and it's not uncommon for it to take several follow-up interactions before a new contact becomes a customer. In the meantime, small aviation businesses can focus on adding value to their new contacts by sharing relevant information, offering assistance, and staying in touch.

3️⃣ Competition: Finally, small aviation businesses may face competition from other attendees at the networking events. There may be other businesses offering similar products or services, and it can be difficult to stand out and be remembered.

👉Tip: To navigate this challenge, it's important to have a clear value proposition and to be able to articulate what sets your business apart from the competition. Small aviation businesses can also focus on building relationships and adding value to new contacts, rather than just trying to sell them something. By doing so, they can establish themselves as a trusted resource and be top of mind when a new contact is in need of their products or services.

Overall, attending business networking events can be a valuable opportunity for small aviation businesses to make new connections and grow their business. By being proactive and having a plan in place to navigate the challenges that arise, small businesses can make the most of these opportunities and achieve their goals.

Please share in the comments, after attending business networking events, what difficulties did you encounter?

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And of course, if you found value in this, please share it with your aviation network. 

Rebekah

CEO & Founder of Becks and the Jets