It’s all in who you know. Networking is critical for developing new business and reigniting relationships with existing clients, and Mary Liljequist plans to dedicate time in 2016 to creating new inroads in the community so she can attract her target client: homeowners who value the creative process and are interested in investing in a long-term landscape plan.
“Networking is necessary,” says Liljequist, landscape designer and owner of Earthly Delights in Raleigh, North Carolina. “You have to get out there and network if you’re going to make it. You have to know people.”
Liljequist has gone through networking slumps, like any business owner. But keeping her contact file fresh and active is important. (She actually maintains an Excel document of all clients and subcontractors.)
This year, Liljequist has a business relaunch resolution to do more networking and expand her web of contacts by getting involved in some different associations.
Connect with women: Liljequist plans to work with Habitat for Humanity on a Women Build project. “I really like working with women networking groups,” she says.
Deepen associations: Liljequist is a member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers and the North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association. She plans to extend her industry involvement by joining the North Carolina Native Plant Society and the North Carolina Perennial Society.
Eye on design: Liljequist finds synergies with interior designers. She has worked on a couple of landscape design projects at designers’ homes, and the process has been rewarding. “We have so much in common even though our expertise is in a different area of design,” she says, noting that she’ll join the Interior Design Society this year to build more of these relationships.
Focus on referrals: Liljequist’s existing client base offers great potential that can be tapped by following up with property owners that expressed interest in doing something more when she last worked with them. She keeps notes in her Excel file, such as “might want patio,” etc. “Client referrals are so important,” she says.