Networking Tips

Tips for Successful Business Networking
Effective business networking is the linking together of individuals who,
through trust and relationship building, become walking, talking advertisements
for one another.
- Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building
trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.
- Ask yourself
what your goals are in participating in networking meetings so that you
will pick groups that will help you get what you are looking for. Some
meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering
rather than on strictly making business connections.
- Visit as many groups
as possible that spark your interest. Notice the tone and attitude of
the group. Do the people sound supportive of one another? Does the leadership
appear competent? Many groups will allow you to visit two times before
joining.
- Hold volunteer positions in organizations. This is a great way
to stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you.
- Ask open-ended
questions in networking conversations. This means questions that ask
who, what, where, when, and how as opposed to those that can be answered
with a simple yes or no. This form of questioning opens up the discussion
and shows listeners that you are interested in them.
- Become known as a powerful
resource for others. When you are known as a strong resource, people
remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people,
etc. This keeps you visible to them.
- Have a clear understanding of what
you do and why, for whom, and what makes your doing it special or different
from others doing the same thing. In order to get referrals, you must
first have a clear understanding of what you do that you can easily articulate
to others.
- Be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others
may help you. Too often people in conversations ask, "How may I help
you?" and
no immediate answer comes to mind.
- Follow through quickly and efficiently
on referrals you are given. When people give you referrals, your actions
are a reflection on them. Respect and honor that and your referrals will
grow.
- Call those you meet who may benefit from what you do and vice versa.
Express that you enjoyed meeting them, and ask if you could get together
and share ideas.
Stephanie Speisman is a Success Coach who coaches groups
and individuals in business networking skills based on her booklet 99
Tips for Successful Business Networking.