Building Better Connections: A Construction Professional's Guide to Networking

The construction industry has always thrived on word-of-mouth recommendations. A satisfied client tells their neighbour about your excellent kitchen renovation, or a plumbing and heating engineer recommends your services to someone needing an electrician.  

While these organic referrals remain valuable, today's construction professionals can also benefit from a more proactive approach to building connections.

Think of networking as strategic word-of-mouth. Instead of waiting for recommendations to happen naturally, networking allows you to actively build relationships that can lead to new opportunities.

Whether you're connecting at industry events or engaging on professional platforms, each interaction has the potential to generate the same powerful word-of-mouth effect that has traditionally driven construction business growth.

From industry events to digital platforms, today's construction professionals have more networking opportunities than ever before. Let's explore how to make the most of them.

Modern Construction Networking

Networking in construction, as in most industries and professions, takes many forms:

Traditional Face-to-Face Events

Industry conferences, trade shows, and local meetups provide powerful networking opportunities for construction professionals.

Digital Platforms

LinkedIn has become the cornerstone of professional networking, with construction professionals using it to connect with peers, showcase projects, and join industry-specific groups.

Professional Organisations

Two key organisations that offer valuable networking are the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and local Chambers of Commerce. As well as providing networking opportunities with other local businesses, memberships of these organisations can provide additional benefits such as added credibility through vetted membership and access to expert business advice and support.

Formal Networking Groups

Organisations like BNI (Business Network International), 4Networking (4N), and various local networking groups offer structured networking environments with benefits for construction professionals including regular meetings with other local businesses, opportunities to build long-term relationships, and access to a diverse range of business contacts.

Having been a member of both BNI and 4N, I've watched numerous construction companies thrive through networking. Many builders and tradespeople not only gained business directly from their fellow members and their wider networks but also formed valuable partnerships with complementary trades in their groups. These relationships proved doubly beneficial - generating new projects while also providing trusted partners for services outside their own expertise.

Key Networking Opportunities

From major trade shows like UK Construction Week to local breakfast meetings and specialised conferences, construction events offer valuable opportunities to connect with peers and potential clients.

Whether you're attending in-person events or participating in online forums and virtual seminars, success comes from careful preparation. Research attendees and speakers beforehand, engage actively during the event, and follow up promptly afterward.

And remember to share your expertise through discussions and presentations. This positions you as an industry expert and makes meaningful connections more likely.

Take Action: Start Networking Today

Here are some steps you can take right now

• Register for an upcoming networking event

• Join relevant professional organisations

• Update your LinkedIn profile

In the next month

• Attend at least one local networking breakfast

• Connect with five new industry professionals

• Share your expertise in online forums

Long-term

• Plan to attend major industry events like UK Construction Week

• Join a networking group

• Develop lasting relationships with other construction professionals

Remember, effective networking is about building genuine relationships, not just collecting business cards.

Up Next: The Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing Platforms for Construction Companies

In our next post, we'll discuss what factors you need to consider when choosing an email marketing platform. And we'll take a look at four platforms that offer a variety of features.

Found This Useful?

I hope you've found this guide to building better connections helpful. If you would like to discuss how to create business opportunities from networking and building connections please email me. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn. If you would like to talk about your construction company's digital marketing strategy, feel free to reach out as well.

About the Author

John Wright started his career in the construction industry at Kennedy Builders Merchants in the 1980s. This marked the beginning of a 35-year journey in sales, marketing, and business development in construction.

In 2016, John transitioned into digital marketing as an it'seeze web design franchisee, before founding RBC Marketing in 2022. Today, he uses his strong knowledge of the construction industry along with marketing skills. He helps construction companies create a strong online presence. He also drives business growth through both digital and traditional marketing strategies.