Networking can be overwhelming and a seemingly daunting task. We all have that saying, “You’re only as good as your network,” hanging over our heads. Talk about added pressure that makes you want to stay on the couch.
With over 15-years in public relations I’ve seen and experienced a variety of networking interactions, some I wish I could forget, while others I can’t forget because they had such a positive impact on me or my business.
I’m sharing five quick tips to on what not to do while networking, and five tips on what you should do instead to help make networking more fruitful.
Don’t ditch a paper business card – digital is great, but you’ll never remember their name to look them up on your phone. I write on the cards something that might help me remember who they are and what we spoke about so I can mention something about our conversation. If you’re stuck on being “on trend” with digital cards, take a screen to remember later.
Don’t think you don’t have anything to offer – this is especially true if you’re earlier in your career. For as social as I am, I HATED networking in college. I felt like, “Why would anyone want to talk to me? I have nothing to offer.” FALSE! You are valuable and have plenty to offer. These seasoned professionals are also open books, so listen and learn so you don’t have to learn the hard way.
Don’t take a buddy — ditch the buddy system as a way to get you to the networking event. It will only keep you from talking to people once you’re there. This forces you out of your comfort zone to approach others and initiate conversation. It also lets others approach you when they see you’re solo.
Don’t forget to follow up – this is also why I always ask for a business card instead of offering up mine first. It doesn’t give the other person an out, and I know I’ll follow up versus waiting for them to connect with me after.
Don’t treat your interactions as “what can I get out of this person” – approach networking with a genuine curiosity about the person and building a connection. Your networking efforts are a waste if you treat it as a transaction. They are PEOPLE FIRST. What you can do for each other will naturally happen. Try adding value to attract them to become clients/customers.
Bonus tip: find a few different networking groups in and around your expertise to throw a wider net and grow your network strategically. You never know where people end up and when you may need to call them.
