Here's how you can build confidence in business networking.

To build confidence in business networking, research the event, practice your elevator pitch, ask thoughtful questions, focus on active listening, and use positive body language. Follow up with new connections after the event to show value and keep you top-of-mind. Start with a few key contacts and gradually expand your network as you become more comfortable. This will help you feel more confident and prepared for potential networking opportunities.

When you first start networking it can be very daunting. But the operative word is start. Start small by going to a small local event or online event. The more you participate the more your confidence will grow over time. It's also important to remember that everyone starts somewhere and every single person at every single event will have once felt like you. Networking is great for your career development as well as for forging long lasting relationships. It will allow you to work on key skills and grow in confidence over time. Set yourself a challenge at each event. That might be starting a conversation with a stranger for example. Good Luck!

Understand your strengths and weaknesses. Focus on leveraging your strengths while addressing any technical weaknesses by adeptly explaining processes, such as the sales process. By detailing the steps required before customers can fully benefit from your project, you demonstrate expertise and immediately add value. This approach builds confidence and positions you as a valuable resource, ensuring you are seen as a trusted connection.

Know both your strengths, and weaknesses, to be able to know your value in communicating to others, not only to help them, but to further your own knowledge. Help guide those who are not as proficient as you, and listen to other experts. No matter what your expertise, there is always more that you can learn to advance yourself in your field.

The key is to remember people engage with people they like. First and foremost be your authentic self. You will project confidence knowing your true value. People will forgive everything else, we are all learning together.

Networking can be overwhelming if you don’t have clear objectives. Set achievable goals, such as attending a certain number of events per month or making specific connections. When I started attending industry events, my initial goal was to connect with at least three key individuals at each event. This helped me stay focused and measure my progress without feeling overwhelmed.

Para ser estratégico a la hora de hacer networking, es importante tener siempre en mente a tu buyer persona. Esta persona representa a tu cliente ideal y es en torno a quien gira tu propuesta de valor. Al conocer a tu buyer persona, puedes adaptar tu enfoque de networking para atraer y conectarte con las personas adecuadas. Hay 3 tipos de contactos que puedes hacer en el networking: Aliados: personas que comparten tus objetivos y valores. Clientes: personas que pagan por tus productos o servicios. Colaboradores: personas con las que trabajas en proyectos. Los contactos tienen diferentes roles en tu red profesional. Los aliados ayudan en tu carrera, los clientes hacen crecer tu negocio y los colaboradores te ayudan a lograr tus objetivos.

Setting achievable goals for each networking opportunity keeps me focused and reduces the pressure. Whether it’s making a certain number of new contacts or finding potential leads, having clear, measurable objectives helps me track my progress and feel accomplished. I once attended a major industry event with the goal of connecting with just five new contacts who could benefit from my expertise; not only did I meet my goal, but two of those contacts later became key collaborators.

Estabelecer metas realistas para cada evento de networking pode aumentar significativamente sua confian?a. Em vez de tentar conhecer todos, foque em fazer algumas conex?es significativas. Determine o que você deseja alcan?ar, como encontrar um mentor, aprender sobre as tendências do setor ou identificar clientes em potencial. Ter objetivos claros oferece um roteiro para o sucesso, o que pode aliviar a ansiedade e proporcionar uma sensa??o de controle em ambientes de networking.

A networking event is a place to make initial connections, not to have long and meaningful conversations. Try to target a small number, say 4-5 people you think you could help or be of value and get to the point. If there’s interest and relevance, agree to meet for a coffee and have a proper conversation.

Selon moi, pitcher c'est l'inverse de se présenter ! Se présenter est une démarche centrée sur soi et son background, alors que pitcher est tourné intégralement vers le client et vers la valeur que vous allez lui apporter. Une bonne présentation peut être mémorable, mais seul un bon pitch fait passer à l’acte. ??Le bon pitch doit toujours contenir CTA : que ce soit une demande de rendez-vous ou une invitation à en savoir plus, le CTA guide votre interlocuteur vers la prochaine étape. Hack utile : préparer différentes versions de son pitch. En fonction de la durée de l’interaction et du contexte (réseautage, pitch en public ou un appel à froid), il faut adapter son temps de parole et rester concentré sur la valeur apportée à sa cible??

Practice, practice, practice. This is the first step. And of course, maintain consistency and have a clear goal of why you're doing it and with whom. Make sure you can bring value and resonate with those you're networking with.

practica constantemente un pitch de 20 segundos en un espejo y por que no? postealo en tu estado en redes sociales para validar su impacto

A well-crafted pitch is essential for making a strong impression. Practice your elevator pitch until it feels natural. Include who you are, what you do, and why it matters. I remember refining my pitch countless times before feeling comfortable delivering it. This practice paid off, especially when meeting potential clients and partners, as I could confidently convey my message in a concise and compelling way.

Don't practice your pitch. Give! Who can you help and how? You don't have to practice for that. Put all of your interest in others. Find out what they do, and what connections you can make for them. Your network will grow strong, quickly.

Totally agree with that and would add, don’t just talk about business. What do you do when you’re not working? If you can find some common interests and enjoy the conversation, Business will be far easier to enter into and both parties are more likely to listen properly.

"Two ears and one mouth" springs to mind! When attending a networking event it is vital to make yourself memorable. In doing so, not only are you providing a face/identity to your business, but you're also creating and leaving a lasting impression. Whilst it is advisable to prepare a succinct and impactful elevator pitch, to sum up your unique value proposition(s) and your key wants, one must refrain from delivering a sales pitch as it is one of the most epic sins committed at an event! Conversely, storytelling is a skilful way to take your audience on an unforgettable journey be it to portray a case study or your approach in business; aiming to build up the all-important, 'know', 'like' and 'trust' factors. And don't forget to listen!

Networking is a two-way street. Show genuine interest in others by asking questions and listening actively. This not only helps you build relationships but also provides valuable insights. During the Unconference Bali, I made it a point to engage deeply with other attendees. This approach not only enriched my experience but also led to meaningful connections and collaborations.

La habilidad de escuchar es crucial para crear valor. Nuestro principal objetivo al interactuar con interlocutores es entender sus necesidades y explorar formas de generar valor para ellos. En el caso de un cliente, esto podría implicar colaborar para crear valor conjunto, mientras que para colaboradores o aliados, podría involucrar potenciar habilidades y recursos. Independientemente del tipo de interacción, la escucha activa y la empatía son habilidades fundamentales para lograr resultados positivos.

Envolver-se ativamente é essencial para construir confian?a no networking. Demonstre interesse genuíno pelos outros, fazendo perguntas abertas e ouvindo atentamente. Isso n?o apenas causa uma boa impress?o, mas também alivia a press?o de ter que conduzir toda a conversa. Focar no que os outros dizem permite encontrar pontos em comum e oportunidades de colabora??o. Networking é uma via de m?o dupla, onde ser um bom ouvinte é t?o importante quanto falar.

When I follow up after attending business networking events I often find the platform my connection uses most actively. In some cases, I won't follow up with an email, but instead I'll send them a casual LinkedIn message as I often find this is more personal and can help them to know, like and trust you quicker.

A key aspect of effective networking is following up. Send a personalised message to those you’ve met, reminding them of your conversation and expressing your interest in staying connected. After every major event, I dedicate time to follow up with new contacts. This simple step has helped maintain and strengthen my professional relationships over time.

I believe in the power of follow-up. Sending personalized messages or emails after meetings shows professionalism and genuine interest in forming a relationship. I use CRM tools to organize contact information and set reminders for follow-ups, ensuring that I maintain the connections I’ve worked hard to establish.

O acompanhamento após eventos de networking é frequentemente negligenciado, mas é crucial para construir conex?es duradouras. Envie mensagens personalizadas expressando sua aprecia??o pela conversa e sugerindo próximos passos, como uma reuni?o individual ou compartilhamento de recursos. Isso demonstra profissionalismo e solidifica o relacionamento. Acompanhamentos oportunos mantêm o ímpeto e mostram que você valoriza as conex?es e toma medidas para cultivá-las.

It’s essential and should be so simple. If you agree to continue the conversation, make sure you get their contact details and be the one to follow up. Never wait to hear from them!

Not every interaction will result in a successful connection, and that’s okay. Embrace rejection as part of the process and learn from it. Early in my career, I faced several rejections, but instead of getting discouraged, I used them as learning opportunities. Each rejection taught me something new, ultimately making me more resilient and strategic in my approach.

Un point douloureux : Le rejet. Nous pouvons avoir peur d'aborder car nous avons peur du rejet. Qui aime cela?? Vous devez vous habituer à cela, car il est s?r que cela arrivera. Votre cerveau doit le comprendre pour que vous osiez ! Vous avez la technique des 3 secondes sinon : n'attendez pas plus de 3 secondes lorsque vous avez une idée qui vous traverse la tête (quelqu'un à aborder) dans un événement comme cela vous allez déjouer les piège de procrastination de votre cerveau.

Review all options for business networking in your area and choose wisely: 1. Is the 'theme' / 'topic' / 'vibe' of the group one that you can relate to and be comfortable around? 2. Are the attendees likely to be people that may help your business goals? 3. Is YOUR expertise likely to be able to help those who attend? 4. With the intended audience, are there opportunities for alliances? (If this is applicable) Business networking is, in my opinion, all about meeting professionals and learning about THEM. Your focus should be squarely on each person you meet. NOT to pitch! You don't want to waste your time, either. Business owners must value their time and where it's spent. Make your goal one that aims at starting new relationships!

Building confidence in networking also involves continuous learning and self-improvement. Keep refining your skills, stay updated with industry trends, and seek feedback from trusted peers. I regularly attend workshops and webinars to enhance my networking abilities and stay ahead in my field. This commitment to growth has been instrumental in my success.

As many good things in life, we find them when we're not looking around too much. Think of business networking as an ongoing activity, regardless of the location, venue or medium and be interested in the answer when you ask questions. This way you will gain practise and networking will become more natural. Engage in forums, discussions, share your appreciation for someone's input. Find things that you have in common with your target group or individuals, and incorporate it in your pitch.

- Networking with intent is the key to getting the best out of business networking events and platforms! - If the intent is to create value and contribute, the outcome will be what we are looking for from these events. - Follow up engagement with those, who we network with is of utmost importance for successful outcomes.

The follow up after meeting someone you would like to do business with, is to take it to the next level by meeting one-on-one.