As an entrepreneur, it’s important to stay on top of the latest trends in your industry. There are many different ways to do this, from networking to following news articles to listening to podcasts. To find out the best approach, we asked a panel of Young Entrepreneur Council and YEC Next members the following question:
Q. Entrepreneurs often seek to gather and share information. What is your preferred method for finding out what’s important from others in your field?
1. Listen to industry-related podcasts
I prefer listening to industry-related podcasts. Because of the audio format, I can listen and learn while I’m doing other things. This makes it easy to stay on top of what’s important and what’s on trend, and still get other things done at the same time. Find a podcast that features a lot of guests so that you can hear varying opinions on the same topic. —John Turner, SeedProd LLC
2. Seek information from your connections
Email newsletters are a great way to get an introduction and overview of what’s new in your field. Beyond that, I’ve found that the best conversations about my industry have been with connections through mutual friends, investors, and colleagues. —Kyle Wiggins, Keteka
3. Read articles from multiple sources
My Flipboard is curated to the topics I want to know more about. I read probably 10-plus articles a day on different topics I want to know more about. I also don’t only read from one source, either, as that will limit my intake to one vein, so I get articles from at least 50 different publications. Reading is hands down the best and fastest way I have found to learn what I want to know quickly. —Ben Walker, Transcription Outsourcing, LLC
4. Join niche social media groups
The best way to receive and share information is through niche social media groups. They are great places to network, share ideas, and find out new things happening in the industry. I also tune into podcasts that focus on startups and other business-related topics. —Blair Thomas, eMerchantBroker
5. Be a student of your industry
I stay on top of trends and the latest news in my industry by being a constant student of the field. I make time every day to read posts on Medium, watch YouTube videos, or explore blogs from people who are doing interesting work. This keeps me engaged and growing as a professional, and as engaged as I was when I was younger and everything was still new to me. —Kristine Neil, Markon Brands
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6. Follow quality publications via Feedly
I’m involved in multiple industries, from SEO to motorcycles, and read highly reputable online publications on a daily basis. I use Feedly, which organizes information into subject categories. I organize mine into content marketing, SEO, motorcycles, business development, etc. That way I choose the headline that will provide the most value for that moment, and can return to the others when needed. —Ron Lieback, ContentMender
7. Subscribe to trade group publications
Participation in trade groups or industry-specific organizations can be very helpful. For instance, my local bar association offers numerous networking events and monthly journals to highlight recent developments in our industry. Reviewing the monthly journal helps me stay up to date with changes in my industry and identify future market trends. —Matthew Podolsky, Florida Law Advisers, P.A.
8. Ask others directly
I tap into a community of entrepreneurs within the Entrepreneurs’ Organization to learn more about what’s important in my field. I do this because I don’t have the patience to read a lot of research and I would rather hear about someone’s personal experiences before I put time into reading more about specific subjects. I trust those people and the culture of sharing in the group. —Vladimir Gendelman, Company Folders, Inc
9. Go to specialized events
Typically, I like talking to people in person about new information in my industry. I find it helpful to attend niche events and discuss these thoughts and ideas face to face. You’ll also get a chance to see the technology or advancements in action! —David Henzel, LTVPlus
10. Participate in group chats
I’m involved in a few different fields of business. Some have a bit of overlap while others form a completely separate niche. In order to stay informed of developments and happenings in all these disparate circles, I participate in group chat rooms across different platforms. One of these groups is over iMessage, another is in a Slack channel, while yet another is in a Skype group conversation. —Bryce Welker, Beat The CPA
11. Visit entrepreneur-focused websites
One of the best ways to find out what’s important to other entrepreneurs is to read the websites that they typically peruse. Four of the best include Inc., Mashable, Forbes, and BusinessWeek. Inc. is geared towards real-life information for entrepreneurs, Mashable is good for tech and media, and Forbes and BusinessWeek are better for objective commentary. —Andrew Schrage, Money Crashers Personal Finance
12. Find and follow your industry experts
I am always monitoring the latest and greatest in marketing and publicity, which is an ever-changing and growing industry. This includes following some of my favorite, credible experts via email subscription; Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn feeds; and blogs. I also follow credible industry groups to stay in tune with the latest and greatest news, tips, trends, and conferences. —Angela Delmedico, Elev8 Consulting Group
13. Reach out and invite people to meet up
The best way to keep tabs on your industry is to go out and meet others, either for coffee or at events and meetups. We handle international taxation, and in our industry, discussing tax issues is fun and exciting, and CPAs are always willing to share their viewpoints, interpretations, and client situations since there are so many grey areas. Don’t be afraid to reach out! —Vincenzo Villamena, Online Taxman
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