5 key components you need to step into being an expert networker

Many people fall down with networking because they don't understand how to bring value to their networking.

For many it feels like networking is a necessary chore, and it is all about developing and maintaining a connection that you can later make an ask from.

But as we progress in our careers, we understand a more profound set of relationships developing. Those people who you consider friends, that when you turn to them and say 'oh hey, I'm after a new exciting challenge' they can recommend something to you. Or they just call you to say that you would be a great person to come and deliver this keynote. Or they refer you to a headhunter. These are the networking relationships we should all be nurturing. However, many of us don't realise this until far later in our careers than is ideal. 

What if you could develop this sort of network, and make it VAST and BIG right now?

Well you can! And when we learn the techniques required to build this type of network, networking is not longer about 'networking' and instead about building interconnectedness.

Here are the 5 key components you need to embed to really step into being an expert networker who just ‘does it’ without really thinking:

1. Be proactive. 

Networking is a choice. And to network, is in itself a proactive approach. 

Recognise this. 

Stop being passive. 

If you’ve already bought into this you may already feel this way. But if you aren’t, then remind yourself that this is of mutual benefit to both parties, giving helping, building knowledge and exchanging information. The knowledge you start with could be as simple as the best place to get your dry cleaning done in your local town, or great food. Then the professional relationship builds from there. But be proactive in your networking above all else.

2. Remember: networking is all about mindset. 

Our mindsets are probably the number one thing that can either hold us back or elevate us. If you turn up to a networking session, process or event believing networking won't work, that you are no good at it, or that it will feel uncomfortable/be a waste of time, then you are creating a self-fulfilling cycle. Our mindsets have so much control over what happens. Far more than you might think. It's time to reframe your opinion of networking to the positive mindset. 

3. Make networking more about the other person.

I’ve said this before, but when you give more than you take, your influence increases. Make networking more about what the other person needs than about what you are taking. Share your value. Share your knowledge. Be happy. Don’t be scared of giving. 

4. Know your value.

Spend time with a colleague, mentor or coach getting to the bottom of your true worth, knowledge and value. The things that make you shine and stand out. You know - you're superpower!

Once you discover your worth and understand how your intrinsic value influences people, you can be extremely beneficial to others. What you offer and can bring to the table, makes you an asset! 

Determining your value is advantageous to producing positive experiences in networking. Knowing how worthy your knowledge and strengths are will help you foster meaningful connections that create an impact on your networks. And feeling good about your value allows you to do that giving that is fundamental to effective networking, in a more impactful way. 

5. Remember networking isn’t the event or the activity. Networking is you.

People think ‘great I will go to the event and network’. That isn’t really what its all about. Networking is about the action not about where you do it. It is about building and maintaining that interconnectedness. Those people you can rely on later when you need it. Those people who will think about you in 6 months and think ‘oh she would be amazing for this job’ and make an introduction. Those people who when you realise that you need a new challenge immediately think of someone you should chat with, or indeed have been wondering if you’d be available and offer you the opportunity to talk about working together. Those people who suggest you as a speaker, as someone who should be consulted on a project, or interviewed by the media as an expert. 

Networking isn’t about the event, it is about an ongoing activity to always be building and strengthening high quality connections. The best networking you can do is where you hang out outside of work. Hobbies, interests, online forums/groups. That is where the great networking, the real networking happens. 

Remember the goal of networking - people knowing who you are, what you do and the VALUE you bring. To do that you have to tell them, show them and share with them. After all, there is someone out there getting the job you want, who is less well qualified, with less experience, but in the job you want, probably earning more than you do and having more of an influence. If you aren’t telling people how great you are, showing them, demonstrating it and making their lives better because they know you, you are loosing out. AND they are loosing out too.

If you want to find out more about how to take action around these five steps and understanding how to make networking easier head on over to Episode 21 of the Leading Women in Tech Podcast:

https://tonicollis.com/episode21