How Can Loan Officers Network Effectively?

How high of a priority is networking for you? When we’re busy, it’s common for networking to take a backseat in favor of matters more pressing. Managing a full schedule can be challenging, but networking is one of those things we can’t let slip off our radar. Networking is a powerful tool, whether you’re just getting into the industry and beginning to build your business, or you’re an experienced LO working to maintain and grow the business you’ve already built. Here are a few of the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to networking:

Every Connection is Valuable

You might not be in a networking-focused situation, or maybe you don’t see what someone may have to offer you, but these are not reasons to walk away from an opportunity to connect. Every connection is beneficial. Never write off an opportunity to connect with someone new — you never know how relationships will develop, who will introduce you to whom, or what you can learn. Of course, getting out to multiple networking events every week probably isn’t possible, but that doesn’t have to mean that you don’t invest in your networking at all. When you begin to see every new connection as valuable, that value often becomes much more evident, much more quickly.

Listen More Than You Talk

You could have the perfectly crafted, perfectly succinct elevator pitch and walk away from most conversations feeling like you’ve left the right impression. But our perception is only half of the equation. How did the other person feel when you walked away? You have to be able to express yourself and talk (even at length) about what you do, but think in depth about the message you want to convey here. You want the other person to see that you’re authentic, personable, and trustworthy. You want them to feel at ease and valued. To do that, you have to create space to listen. That simple action of standing back and truly giving someone your full, undivided attention sends a strong message about who you are.

It’s Not About Numbers

Sure, a big, healthy network can be valuable, but numbers don’t necessarily mean value. Continuing to expand and making new connections is only meaningful if it goes deeper than the surface — we’re looking for quality over quantity. Assessing the number of LinkedIn connections or Facebook ‘likes’ you have is not the best way to measure the strength of your network. Online connections should never be confused for real connections. To truly have a strong network, you need to develop and maintain real, individual relationships.

Be Generous

Giving is at the heart of successful networking. As I mentioned earlier, giving space in the conversation is an important strategy to keep in mind. However, generosity can go much further than this. Approach every interaction thinking about what you have to offer. Is there an article you could share with this person? An introduction you could make? When we focus on giving to the people we’re connecting with, we have an infinitely better chance of real connection. We’re setting the tone for a relationship in which both parties want to help one another to succeed.

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Pressing matters are always going to take the bulk of our bandwidth, but if we learn to network effectively, we can get impressive results — even with limited time to dedicate.

If you’d like to talk more about any of these ideas, or if there’s another issue I can be of assistance with, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always happy to set aside time to connect.