Network and Net-worth are definitely sisters. Your Network can help build up your business or your professional career. What you are looking for, somebody else has it, the answers you are seeking are around you and within reach. With this in mind, networking gains meaning. Here are some tips for effective Networking.
Have a realistic goal
When in an informal meeting, business event or organization’s fair, set realistic goals. In such events, there are lots of people and it would be unrealistic to aim at speaking to everyone. Do your homework prior to the meet up and identify the potential individuals that you would like to speak to.
Depending on the duration of the event, you could have a realistic goal of connecting with 5 to 10 people depending on your capacity. This keeps you focused and aware that you need to meet some goals.
Make it about the other person
In a world where everyone seems to be pulling to their side, it makes the whole difference to be actually interested in other people. Ask them how their week has been, what caught their eye from a certain presentation, their thoughts on the venue and conversations.
We are generally inclined to people who we feel understand us and go out of their way to ask about us and actually listen. Making it about the person means actively listening and getting engaged in the conversation. Speaking too much about oneself without allowing the other person room to express themselves is actually selfish.
Add value
While interacting with your target audience, listen to their pain areas. Pay close attention to their problems, statements like ‘I wish….’, ‘Why not…..’, ‘If only…’, What can be done…..’, these questions introduce us first hand to problems that we could help solve.
You can recommend a site, an app, a company, a book, a podcast, a YouTube page, a freelancer or something that could go a long way in meeting the needs of the person you are interacting with. It adds value to them. It also goes to show genuine care and interest.
Ask proper questions
Conversations really put us to test when it comes to being able to sustain conversations. Sometimes the issue is, we just don’t know what to ask or how to swiftly move to the next question without the whole scenario looking interrogative.
Avoid asking questions whose answer could only be yes or no. Instead, focus on asking open-ended questions. Questions that pave way for deeper conversations. Questions whose answers could take any possible direction. For example, How did you feel about the event today?
Be authentic
Being yourself is another Tip for Effective Networking. Choosing to remain who you are no matter the audience. Being oneself actually requires no effort. Trying to be someone else means having to put up a ‘show’ which causes unnecessary pressure.
Freeing yourself is being you and standing true to your values and principles across all conversations you have. Plus, people seem to smell a fake from a distance. Turning this around, imagine someone pretending to be something they are not, it is not a pleasant scene.
Smile
While networking, make it a point to warm up. Give firm handshakes while maintaining eye contact, the type that are memorable. In a place with so many people, you would want to stand out, for people to remember you.
Brighten the conversations with a smile. Allow yourself to flow with the conversations. Sometimes too uptight is not too memorable.
Follow up
When finalizing a conversation with someone, you could ask for their business cards and contacts for follow up. If it is indeed a conversation that you took keen interest in and would like to follow up and ask questions or order something, in a follow up is the perfect timing.
While doing a follow up, be sure to do it within business hours as well. It is a display of respect and professionalism.
Lets Network better together!
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