Let’s face it: networking is hard work. It takes a lot of effort, forces us out of our comfort zone and places us in potentially uncomfortable situations.
On the plus side, just like anything you work at, networking gets easier and more rewarding with practice.
You already know that networking is good for business, but not everyone is a natural networker. Below, we’ve put together a few tips to help make your next opportunity a triumph.
Top 8 tips to prepare you for networking:
- First rule of networking: never leave without a pocket full of business cards … plus some to spare. Like your wallet, never leave without them anywhere – you never know who you will met at the car wash, supermarket, baseball game ….
- Walk in ready to engage. This takes energy and practice to be able to walk into a room of strangers and start engaging, but its worth the effort to nail this skill. One way to make this easier is to do your homework. Who will be there? Is there a list of attendees the organizer can email you ahead of time? What are some industry questions you can ask to spark conversations with strangers? Have a list of opening questions that are related to why you are all there helps break the ice.
- Right out of the gate, when you start chatting with a new group, listen carefully and focus on finding something in common. It creates an instant bond, establishes a comfort level and starts to build trust; your conversation will naturally flow from there.
- When people ask you questions, add some flavor to your answers. Don’t reply to the standard “How are you?” with a boring “Good. You?” Answer in an unexpected, positive way such as “Things are great. I’m starting 2019 better than ever!” or, “Amazing! I’ve had some interesting prospects so far this month.” When you do this, notice the change in expression and level of interest in the person talking to you; it prompts them to ask, “Really? Tell me more!” … and take it from there.
- Do not cross your arms at a networking event … just don’t do it. Even if it’s unintentional, it communicates “stay away” to everyone in the room. Instead, stay relaxed, natural and smile—even if that’s uncomfortable for you, closing yourself off from the people at the event goes against the whole reason you – and everyone else – is there in the first place. Be approachable!
- Give people as many options as possible to get in touch with you. Some people prefer email, others prefer to chat on the phone and some prefer in-person meetings. Put all of the ways people can contact you on everything, including business cards, email signature, marketing pieces and your website.
- Wear a name tag. Most of us have trouble remembering people’s names, especially in loud rooms filled with unfamiliar faces. We promise you’ll feel appreciative of anyone wearing a name tag – as will people who met you. I was on a panel once where no one on the panel wore a name tag except for one woman – and everyone who attended remembered her name and forgot all of ours. She actually had one made for her with her branding on it. I learned a valuable lesson that day – always wear a name tag!
- After the event, follow-up with every single person you met. Email, connect with them on LinkedIn, add them to your next mailing, email them before the next event to see if they’re going, send them an interesting article, recipe or any information that reminds them of the conversation you had together. It keeps you top of mind, makes you stand out (hardly anyone follows up!) and keeps the conversation going … maybe to becoming your next client!
Okay, armed with these tips, time to get networking! You never know unless you try. So grab those business cards, and we’ll see you out there!
