Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Pro In Networking?

Most of us understand the benefits that networking can bring into our careers. Yet, we only think about it when a need arises like a job change.

Active networking is vital to success. Keep aside factors such as hard work, and persistence, business connections are what assist you and help you with getting forward in life. So, instead of just reaching out to professionals during times of crisis, you invest in relationships throughout the course of time until a need finally arises.

Pro networkers are individuals who understand the importance of a network to their success. Thus, they keep networking using the best strategies to reach long term goals.

But, are you a pro networker? Let’s find out!

1.     Pro Networkers Practice A Stunning Event Networking Strategy

A pro networker is someone who never settles down. Rather than simply sitting in a corner at social networking events, they efficiently manage their time between people they know and those they don’t. In fact, a pro networker is that person who leaves their office to meet new people and learn new things.

Do you do so often?

Furthermore, prior to the event, pro networkers search the agenda to jot down the list of people they would like to meet and connect with. They also stand out from the crowd by not just applauding for the speaker but talking to them a few hours before they go on stage. Once the event ceases and they reach back home, they even draft captivating blogs about the message and spread their insights broadly. 

Pro Networkers Have Their Networking Calendar Planned

2.     Pro Networkers Have Their Networking Calendar Planned

The next factor according to me that make pro networkers would be their ability to plan their time. Pro networkers like everyone else are busy with a calendar full of responsibilities and transactions. However, unlike people who don’t have time blocked for networking, pro networkers an hour planned on their calendar each week to expand their network.

They ask their friends or colleagues about an inspiring person they know to go and meet them. They might even email an influencer whose works they admire with questions or comments about work.

3.     Pro Networkers Maintain The Relationship

With years of experience in the corporate industry, if there is one thing that I find the most important for success, that would be maintaining relationships.

Maintaining relationships is the key to keeping a network useful. Pro networkers do this by constantly staying in touch with their connections through phone calls, e-mails, and birthday wishes on their special day.

With the greatest of technologies available at their disposal, they find no excuse to not stay in touch. Sending a thank-you note, catching up over a cup of coffee, putting someone else’s link on your social media profile, and making a phone call are all in a pro networkers agenda to maintain their relationships.

4.     Pro Networkers Are Fearless

Fear, we all have fears. And is the worst thing that keeps most of us from achieving success. Nevertheless, pro networkers take a tongue in cheek approach to go and mingle with the people they admire from afar for their insights and smarts.

Pro networkers never let the fear of rejection come between them and a large open network. We should be so as well. They create a list of inspiring people whom they would like to learn from and come up with creative ideas to make it happen.

5.     Pro Networkers Give More Than What They Take

Obviously, this might not the best reason I could give in order to convince you to start networking. As human beings, we always look for bigger rewards whenever an opportunity knocks on our door. However, pro networkers understand the importance of giving back in networking.

Networking is a whole act of giving and take. Pro networkers thus make sure that they get what they want, and they also make sure the people they know get what they want too. Pro networkers give in order to gather, and they become the go-to person for their contacts who are in need of something.  

Lastly, we all put off networking because we feel it is arduous and time-consuming, but this is where a pro networker thinks differently. Pro networkers believe in the power of open networks in creating innumerable opportunities for career growth.

So, are you a pro in networking? Do you rock the above-listed traits?

If so, let me know and we can start networking!