Today networking is as easy as it can get. What with various online platforms, worldwide conferences and organisations, networking has definitely become convenient, but to make it successful you need planning, strategy and organisation.
These tips will help you make the best of every networking opportunity you get.
- Treat Networking As A Mindset: What does networking mean to you? Is it just a means to make profitable business for yourself or is it an act that brings people and ideas and builds mutually beneficial long-lasting relationships. Networking is a process that benefits both parties, one must be able to add value to the other’s business. When there’s value, there’s networking.
- Identify Your Value Proposition: How can your business influence the growth of your networking party? This is another way you can avoid limiting networking to a self-serving act. Once you understand how you can add value you accordingly look for connections and pursue them. And only then do you form long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.
- Get Strategic: Despite the various networking platforms we have access to we fail to make the most of it. Why? It’s only because we don’t make the right moves with the right people. Networking is not just about meeting people, it’s about meeting the right people. It’s easy to get lost in big organisations and conferences with a room full of people talking to each other, but you need to make each minute count. So, get to know the real stakeholders in your industry, instead of pursuing random connections that eventually just create clutter.
- Always Be Proactive: if you’re an introvert, networking might not come naturally to you. But you have to make an effort. All you need is confidence in your product or service, this confidence will urge you to go out of your comfort zone. Even after the ice is broken and you’ve successfully exchanged numbers, don’t think the deal is sealed. That’s just a teaser, you’ll have to then follow up for the big picture. Don’t wait for that call or text, go ahead and make them know you’re interested in pursuing this connection.
- Make Time To Network And Build Relationships: Late night parties and events just don’t don’t do it for you? Why not schedule some coffee or lunch meetings? Sometimes personal chats can do what big networking conferences don’t. They give you and your networking partner a lot of time to really go deep into each other’s line of work and expectations. Following up with a cup of coffee can transform a connection into a relationship.
