Our Networking Tips for Creative Entrepreneurs

Networking is essential for all businesses—even creative ones like interior design firms and artist studios. Forging new connections and building relationships within your industry can expose you to a diverse network of opportunities, collaborations, and potential clients. Unfortunately, networking can also be overwhelming—worsened by the fact that it often feels like a fake offer of friendship. If you are already struggling with Imposter Syndrome or are not a naturally extroverted person, the networking process can feel like a dreaded chore. But everyone feels a bit awkward when they start networking. The good news is that most of us have similar expectations when receiving an introductory email from a potential partner or connecting with someone new at a conference. The people we interact with professionally want exactly what we want: to create strong relationships, improve their firms, enjoy fulfilling partnerships, and benefit from the great advice of industry experts. Understanding these shared goals should take some of the sting out of networking. But nothing takes the sting out of networking like a little preparation. In this post, we have rounded up our list of top networking tips for creative entrepreneurs. From coming armed with basic knowledge to expressing genuine interest, read on to banish networking anxiety and make valuable connections.

Networking Tips for Creative Entrepreneurs 

In competitive industries like interior design, architecture, or the fine arts, effective networking is key to long-term sustainability and success. By building a robust professional network, creative entrepreneurs can access potential clients, partners, investors, and industry peers—enabling them to expand their customer base, secure funding, and form strategic alliances.

Networking also provides invaluable market insights—which help business owners like you stay ahead of industry trends and customer needs. Furthermore, it fosters opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, which facilitates innovation and problem-solving. Ultimately, an extensive network can serve as a support system—offering guidance and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and connecting business owners with a community that understands the unique challenges and opportunities of their industry.

While many creative entrepreneurs shy away from networking events, ignoring the business side of creative entrepreneurship can be the death knell for a firm. Plus, many of our peers are eager to help others while forming new professional connections themselves. As Eric Barker writes in an article for The Washington Post, “We often underestimate by as much as 50 percent how much others are willing to help us when asked.” Of course, statistics are rarely enough to calm anxiety, so let’s set you up for networking success with a few of our top tips.

Define Your Goals First

The first step in learning how to network effectively is to define your goals and allocate resources according to those goals. Defining your goals before networking because it gives your networking efforts purpose and direction. Without clear objectives, you may find yourself wasting time and resources on connections and opportunities that do not align with your business vision or needs.

Whether it’s expanding your customer base, seeking investment, finding strategic partners, or gaining industry insights, setting goals helps you target the right individuals and events within your network. While it might seem cold and calculating to draw out your goals before a networking event, knowing what you want actually helps you navigate these events more naturally. It enables you to communicate your needs and interests more effectively—making it easier for potential collaborators or supporters to understand how they can assist or partner with you.

In essence, defining your goals ensures that your networking activities are strategic and efficient—thereby contributing to the growth and success of your business. This brings us to our next recommendation: joining professional groups. Memberships to these organizations can cost a pretty penny, so it’s essential to define your goals before joining every group that’s tangentially related to your industry.

Take a Second Look at Your Existing Network

Making the most of what you already have is the easiest, least expensive, and most comfortable way to dip your toe into networking. Your current network—which may include friends, family, former colleagues, or acquaintances—can serve as a foundation for expanding your business contacts. These individuals already know you, your character, and your capabilities.

Their faith in you is founded. It’s not blind trust. As such, they might be willing to introduce you to potential clients or collaborators in their own networks—opening doors to new opportunities and connections. Building upon familiar relationships is also a low-pressure way to practice and refine your networking skills before venturing into broader professional circles. Leveraging your existing connections is a strategic and efficient way to kickstart your networking efforts and lay the groundwork for future business growth.

Join Professional Groups

If you can afford the dues, become a member of industry associations — i.e., the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), or the American Institute of Architects (AIA). These associations offer networking opportunities and resources for firm owners interested in forging new professional relationships.

You might also consider joining your local chapter of the Chamber of Commerce. Dedicated to promoting and supporting local businesses and economic development, many local Chambers of Commerce offer networking opportunities for entrepreneurs in their communities. They host everything from mixers and luncheons to workshops and seminars.

You might be able to connect with professionals in industries adjacent to yours through the Chamber of Commerce. Chambers often have committees or groups focused on specific industries, issues, or community involvement.

If you are short on time or do not have the budget to attend Chamber events, be sure to research their virtual communities as well. Some Chambers provide online forums or directories where members can connect and collaborate virtually.

Don’t Forget About Social Media Platforms Like LinkedIn

Social media platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram allow entrepreneurs to switch from personal accounts to business or creator accounts. In doing so, these platforms focus primarily on the relationship between business and consumer—not the relationship between businesses. LinkedIn empowers business owners to network effectively with other entrepreneurs by providing a digital platform specifically tailored toward forming professional connections.

Through personalized profiles highlighting experience and skills, you can establish your credibility and attract connections in your industry. The search and recommendation features help you find and connect with potential clients, partners, and collaborators. At the same time, LinkedIn Groups enables you to engage with niche communities.

Sharing content, participating in discussions, and joining appropriate groups on LinkedIn can position you as an industry expert. LinkedIn also offers analytics to measure your networking impact. Overall, LinkedIn serves as a dynamic hub for business networking. It helps you build relationships with prospective partners, stay on top of industry news, and assess potential new employees before they join your team.

Create a Networking Budget

As noted above, many networking events and other opportunities cost money. We recommend creating a networking budget to ensure your money is well-spent and that your resources are never exhausted unnecessarily.

Establishing a networking budget is essential because it ensures that your networking efforts align with your overall business goals and resources. A budget helps you allocate funds for attending relevant industry events, joining professional organizations, or investing in networking tools and platforms. It provides a structured approach to networking—preventing overspending or neglecting this crucial aspect of business development.

By setting a budget, you can make informed decisions about which networking opportunities to pursue, prioritize activities that offer the highest return on investment, and measure the effectiveness of your networking initiatives.

At the end of each quarter or calendar year, don’t forget to assess the return on your investment. Consider whether ongoing networking expenses like association memberships are providing the expected return on investment in terms of business growth, connections, and opportunities.

Consider a Variety of Networking Events and Opportunities

As you build your budget, consider a variety of networking events at different price points. Think about visiting showrooms and trade events hosted by vendors. This allows you to see their products firsthand, learn about their offerings, and establish a direct connection. Take your team to open houses, site visits, and project tours organized by architects and builders.

Utilize online platforms like Houzz to connect with fellow professionals, potential clients, and industry influencers. Participating in design-related blogs and forums can also be an effective way to connect with others in the industry, share knowledge, and learn from peers. Share your firm’s projects and insights. Engage in meaningful discussions to expand your online presence.

Consider hosting your own events like workshops, design seminars, or networking mixers. This positions your firm as an industry expert and creates opportunities to showcase your work while building relationships.

How to Behave at a Networking Event

From the conversation starters you choose to the way you hold your hands, your attitude and approach can make all the difference when interacting with new connections. So let’s talk about how to behave at a networking event.

Gain Basic Knowledge Before Meeting Someone

Before attending an event and engaging with architects, builders, engineers, or vendors, gain basic knowledge about those related industries. Having basic knowledge about fields that intersect with yours allows you to engage in meaningful conversations with other professionals — demonstrating your expertise and credibility.

A basic understanding of other industries and their trajectories allows you to participate in discussions. You can actively listen, ask educated questions, and offer your own perspective. Furthermore, it can help you contextualize your interior design work in a way that resonates with builders, architects, and other professionals who might become partners or collaborators.

Of course, learning a bit about architecture, structural engineering, or construction also enables you to “know what you don’t know.” This brings us to our next point: letting experts in other industries teach you.

But Let Them Teach You

Allowing others to share their expertise and teach you about their industry can help you form meaningful connections. People enjoy explaining things to others for several reasons. First, it allows you to push past small talk into something a bit more engaging. It’s likely that your new connection would rather have a great conversation related to their career than chat about the weather or discuss their personal life with a stranger.

Second, letting someone teach you something boosts the other person’s confidence. You have asked this person to explain something to you because you value their insight and believe they know more than you do. This offers validation and recognition. By encouraging that person to talk about something they understand and are passionate about, you also help put them at ease.

Third, educating someone else fulfills a natural human inclination to help others learn and grow. Ultimately, people find pleasure in explaining at networking events because it allows them to contribute, connect, and showcase their expertise in an environment where small talk is the norm. Plus, a meaningful conversation should create a lasting impression.

Be Present and Genuine in Your Interest

As you engage with other business owners at networking events, be sure to express genuine interest and focus solely on your current conversation. Expressing genuine interest when networking is essential because it builds trust, establishes authentic connections, and fosters meaningful relationships. When you show a sincere curiosity about others, their work, and their experiences, it demonstrates that you value them as individuals and not just as potential opportunities.

This authenticity creates a positive impression—making people more willing to engage with you and share their insights or resources. Moreover, genuine interest leads to more authentic and lasting connections—which can be more valuable in the long term for collaboration, support, and mutual growth.

You can’t demonstrate genuine interest without paying attention to the person with whom you are conversing. Focus solely on that person. Do not look around the room or think about other interesting people at the event. As Maggie Wooll writes in this article for BetterUp, “One of the best ways to learn how to connect with other people is learning to be present.” This means focusing your thoughts and “using your body language to show…that they have your full attention.”

Busy Your Hands

When engaging with new contacts at a conference, workshop, mixer, or other event, many of us forget how to keep our hands still. We either don’t know what to do with our hands or cannot prevent ourselves from gesturing wildly. Busying your hands with a drink—not necessarily an alcoholic one—can anchor flailing fingers. It can also explain away a wet handshake.

In an article for The Science of People, Vanessa Van Edwards suggests holding “your arm slightly to the side, so it’s not blocking your torso.” This keeps your body language open and prevents you from distracting the speaker with hand movements.

Consider a Digital Business Card

Next, we recommend slimming down your stack of paper business cards with a digital version. A digital business card not only prevents you from fumbling with a cardholder. Digital cards can include dynamic content such as clickable links to your website, social media profiles, and portfolio—providing a richer and more interactive introduction to your business or services.

Additionally, digital cards can be easily updated to reflect changes in your contact information or branding — ensuring that your connections always have accurate details. They are also shareable via email or messaging apps—making it convenient for recipients to access your information and connect with you no matter the platform. Plus, digital cards are more environmentally friendly and efficient than traditional paper cards.

Demonstrate Value

To demonstrate value as a business owner when networking, focus on what you can offer rather than what you can gain. Start by actively listening to others and showing genuine interest in their needs and challenges. Tailor your conversations to highlight how your products or services can solve their problems or enhance their businesses.

Share your expertise and insights, offering valuable information or advice without expecting an immediate return. Be a resource, providing referrals or introductions to contacts in your network who can benefit them.

By consistently delivering value and being a helpful, reliable resource, you’ll establish yourself as a trusted and valuable connection in your network—increasing the likelihood of mutually beneficial collaborations and partnerships.

Treat Networking Like Relationship-Building — Not a Series of Transactions

To effectively network while maintaining your integrity and respecting others, it is absolutely vital to treat networking like relationship building—not a series of transactions. This means NEVER asking strangers for favors right off the bat!

As Liz Ryan writes in this article for Forbes, “You can’t withdraw funds from a bank you haven’t made deposits into…asking strangers for favors is like trying to make a withdrawal from an empty bank account.” A primary goal of networking is creating career-long connections. As such, asking for a favor too soon is often rude and counter-intuitive.

Follow Up After Creating a Valuable Connection

After networking events or meetings, follow up with a personalized message. Following up with new contacts after a networking event is important for several reasons. First, it reinforces the initial connection—reminding the contact of who you are and the conversation you had. It shows your genuine interest in building a relationship beyond the event.

Second, it offers an opportunity to express appreciation for their time and insights, which can leave a positive impression. Third, it allows you to continue the conversation—potentially exploring ways to collaborate or offer mutual support. Finally, consistent follow-up demonstrates your professionalism and reliability—valuable qualities in business relationships.

By nurturing these connections over time, you increase the likelihood of turning them into meaningful partnerships, clients, or referral sources.

Show Gratitude When Someone Helps You

Last but not least, show gratitude when someone helps you! Celebrate partners and vendors who help you provide an incredible service or product to your clients. Demonstrate your integrity and willingness to share success by acknowledging those with whom you collaborate or those who offer mentorship.

Expressing gratitude can help maintain open lines of communication and encourage ongoing collaboration, as people are more likely to continue assisting those who show appreciation. It also shows followers of your social media accounts and subscribers to your newsletters that you respect and value the contributions of other entrepreneurs.

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