One of the most important things in business, whether you’re working for yourself or for a large corporation, is having a network of professionals you can reach out to for different needs. But, for some, the art of networking doesn’t come naturally, though it’s really very simple: Networking isn’t about making a sales pitch; it’s about building relationships. If you’re not sure how to go about building your network of contacts, read on (and save this!) for the do’s and don’ts of professional mingling.
The Art of Networking: 12 Tips to Help You Connect
- Make sure your business card is accurate and up-to-date – First and foremost, before you head to any event or meeting, make sure your business card represents you in style and professionalism. And be sure to double-check the basics: are your email, phone number, mailing address, name and title all as they should be? If they’re not, it’s time to get a new batch. Nothing looks worse on you professionally than a misspelled name or a botched email address on the first piece you hand out to represent you.
- Be friendly and approachable – Just as when you’re meeting a new friend for the first time, be polite, pleasant, friendly and approachable. Don’t be so eager to tell them about yourself immediately. Break the ice with some regular conversation and get to know each other on a more personal level.
- Listen attentively – Rather than trying to jump in and get your sales pitch in, listen to what the other person has to say and let the lead come organically.
- Make conversation – Once you have the basic intros down, allow the conversation to flow naturally. You’ll more easily arrive at how you can help each other or agree to stay in touch if the conversation doesn’t feel forced.
- Take notes – Once you’ve exchanged business cards, make a note on it so you’ll remember that person and jot down a detail that will help you follow up in a more personal way via phone or email. People are more likely to respond to a personalized email noting a specific thing they told you about them (they have a 14-month-old daughter, a pet Pomeranian, etc.) than what looks and feels like a generic, mass email.
- Follow up with an email or phone call –Follow up within 48 hours of meeting that individual with a phone call or email. Don’t just reach out weeks or months later when you need something from them. The idea is to build a natural, lasting professional relationship to benefit the both of you.
- Use social media – Connect via social networks, like LinkedIn, to help keep in touch more actively.
- Go beyond your immediate industry – Don’t just network within your immediate industry, disregarding others outside of it. You never know who will be able to help you in the future and who will need your help, too. Work on building a strong network filled with a variety of individuals.
- Don’t be selfish – Connect & introduce others (but ask first). If you know you can help someone by connecting them to another individual on your contacts list, be sure to ask if they’re ok with it and then facilitate the connection. The good deed will surely come back to you later on.
- Don’t expect anything in return – Don’t assume that just because you’ve made a connection that you can demand their help. Asking nicely is always the way to go, but don’t feel rejected if they don’t think it’s the right fit. It’s not personal, it’s business.
- Don’t contact someone you never speak to and ask for a favor – This is definitely a quick way to lose a contact. Don’t reach out to someone you haven’t nurtured a relationship with and demand they help you. Follow up, catch up, and then ask if they’re willing to assist you with a connection or introduction. But again – never expect anything in return.
- Build relationships – The whole point behind networking is to build relationships that will last so that doors will open and connections will be easy when you do need them. Offer to help whenever you can and be sure to keep in touch with those connections; follow up now and then just to say hello to keep those links hot!
