How to Network...

Be honest with yourself, how often do you enter a networking event with a sense of dread and wondering how quickly you can do a lap of the room and get out of there? The good news is that you’re not alone! But networking is invaluable in this day and age and with a little bit of planning, it can be truly effective (and dare I say it….fun!)

Networking occurs when there’s an understanding that everyone in the room has equal value. In its purest form, it’s about people enjoying other people, communicating passions and connecting with others who share those passions. It’s about listening, figuring out what others need and connecting them with people you think can help, without any designs for personal gain. The most successful networkers build genuine relationships and give more than they receive. They and reframe your thinking from, “What’s in it for me?” to “How can I help?”

Here are my top networking tips.

Start networking before you need it.

Seasoned networkers can smell the stench of desperation from across the room. People can sense when someone is only out to help themselves. Tip-offs ranging from a panicked look in the eyes to a portfolio brimming with resumes will send them running in the other direction. On the other hand, by networking when you have no ulterior motive, you can begin to build genuine relationships and a reputation for being generous rather than self-serving.

Have a plan.

Since every person has value, it’s essential that you know what yours is. Before you attend any networking event, get clear on what talents, strengths, skill sets and connections you can bring to the table. Map out what you want to talk about, particularly how you may be able to help other people, either now or in the future. Get you’re 30 second elevator pitch perfect.

Forget your personal agenda.

While you may be tempted to network just to land a job or talk to people you normally wouldn’t have access to, that's a mistake. Instead, make it your goal to be open, friendly and honest, and to forge connections between people who may be able to help each other. Generosity is an attractive quality and it’s something special that people will remember about you.

Everyone is important.

Make it your mission to discover the value in each person you talk to. Ask questions and listen with interest. Don’t make the mistake of discounting people due to their titles. Someone you meet may “just” be a clerk, but they may have valuable connections or knowledge you’d never learn about if you’d dismissed them.

Then, when the conversation ends, remember what that person has to offer as you move to the next.

Connect the dots.

Once you begin to listen to people and learn what they can bring to the table, you’ll start realizing how one person in the room may be able to help another. Make it a point to connect people you feel have something of genuine value to each other. When you go out of your way to make those potentially promising connections, you’re doing your part to make the networking event a success.

Figure out how you can be useful.

Before any conversation ends, be sure to ask, “How can I help you?” Because it’s done so rarely, you may encounter a surprised look, but it will most likely be accompanied by an appreciative smile. While the person may not have an answer for you that night, they may have an idea later. Always close by saying something like, “If you need anything, please reach out to me or connect via LinkedIn”.

Follow up and follow through.

If you told someone you’d get in touch with them, do it and reaffirm your intent to assist in any way you can. If you promised to introduce someone to a person you know, take the time to do it. Everyone is busy these days with jobs, families, events, commitments -- even so, it takes no more than a minute to shoot off an email to introduce two people you want to connect. They can take it from there and do the work -- just enjoy being the bridge. Little things like that mean a lot to people and just one introduction can end up changing someone’s life for the better. I’ve seen it happen dozens of times and it’s quite gratifying.

And finally....believe in the power of positivity. The more you network, the more comfortable you will be with it.