Expert Networking Tips: 15 of The Best

With over 20 years of experience in the networking game, hosting a podcast all about networking, and celebrating 15 years in business, Our CEO & Founder, Lori Highby has got her top 15 networking tips for you.?

1. Be authentic and genuine in your interactions. People can smell fake.
2. Make the effort to attend industry events, conferences, and other networking opportunities. This is a great way to meet new people. I often find that I initially did not want to attend, but while at the event, I was happy I went.
3. Be prepared to talk about your work and accomplishments. Have a clear, concise pitch that highlights your skills and experience.? Think of your pitch as a quick statement…? This is what I do and who I do it for.
4. Listen more than you talk. Ask thoughtful questions and show interest in others’ work.
5. Follow up after meetings or events with a thank you email or note. This will help you stay top of mind with your connections. Mention something unique about the event or conversation in that follow-up.
6. Use social media to connect with others in your industry. LinkedIn is a particularly useful platform for professional networking.? Use the hashtags to find new individuals or look at who’s commenting on others posts.
7. Offer to help others when you can. This could be as simple as sharing a helpful resource or making an introduction.
8. Be respectful of people’s time. If you schedule a meeting or call, be punctual and mindful of their schedule.
9. Be patient and persistent. Building strong professional relationships takes time and effort.
10. Join professional organizations and attend their events. This is a great way to meet people who share your interests and goals.? Connect with the leaders of those organizations, or get involved in those organizations yourself. The fastest way to meet new people is to sit on a board or committee with an organization.
11. Stay up to date on industry news and trends. This will help you have more meaningful conversations with others in your field.
12. Consider finding a networking buddy or power partner.? Know each other's strengths and become advocates and cheerleaders for each other.
13. Be mindful of your body language and tone of voice. This can have a big impact on how others perceive you.
14. Focus on the quality of the relationship vs the quantity of relationships that you have.? Meaningful relationships will bring better results in the long run.
15. Nurturing relationships is just as important, if not more important than meeting someone new.? It’s definitely valuable to continue to stay in touch with your community.