5 Ways To Network Effectively
Violette Nduku Wambua
Leader. Reader. Author. Learner. Mentor. Award-Winning Entrepreneur. Marketing & Communications. Events. Public Speaker. Corporate Emcee. TV & Podcast Host. Woman On A Mission.
Everyone who is starting and growing a business knows just how important it is to be out there networking, meeting various people and putting word out about their business venture. Every person who is trying to climb the corporate ladder knows how important it is to be out there putting themselves in the way of headhunters, bosses and CEOs. Anyone who can make that difference in their career really.
While networking is largely a social affair, one’s success is not fully dependent on being bubbly and cheerful. This is literally a war for your success and in order to achieve maximum results, one has to have a game plan. Being a wall flower and hoping to get notices is definitely not part of it. Despite your personality type, here are a few things you can do next time you are at a networking event so you can go home with business and career leads as well as possibly make new friends who might open doors you had no idea about.
1. Talk to people you don’t know. When you get to a networking event, avoid gravitating to people you know. After thanking the host for inviting you, leave the people you came with and quickly find someone new and introduce yourself. This will keep you focused on why you came in the first place. Try to find someone who is standing by themselves and engage them. You can start by complimenting them on something not too awkward. Avoid political and religious topics as they tend to be divisive.
2. Listen more and sell less. Even though you are there to promote your work, avoid the temptation to sell to people without getting to know them first. Engage the people you are with and focus on learning more about them. Establish relationships, they lead to sales and referrals. Encourage a new contact to talk about themselves and learn about them.
3. Always be prepared. Keep your job/business cards accessible and in good condition so that it’s easy to give to someone as you continue in the networking conversation. Have your cards designed in a manner that best conveys your brand, with clear colours and legible fonts.
4. Address people by their names. As the conversations continue, use the other parties’names as much as possible. It will help you remember them in future. People like hearing their names being called. Plus, It gives a sense of personal connection and curries favor for you in their eyes.
5. Maintain eye contact, lean in and pay attention to whatever they are saying. Avoid darting your eyes around the room or scrolling your phone when someone is speaking with you. This encourages them to continue speaking and shows that you respect their time and space. Please do not stare them down, it may scare them.
Bonus: Networking events are not a business card collection/distribution marathon. Always aim for quality over quantity, establishing relationships that will yield maximum results over time.
Good luck at your next networking event!