How To Supercharge Your Networking Skills

I’m always on the lookout for articles about networking. Here are a few snippets:

The biggest success secret of these supercharged networkers lies in the way they define the goal of networking. They don’t think of it as the time to promote themselves or to get new business. Instead, they view networking as the ideal opportunity to make connections and build relationships. They ask questions, listen closely to responses, and try to find some way to be of assistance to whomever they’re talking with. Then they follow up (sometimes immediately and sometimes a few days later) with suggestions or solutions.

Here are additional ways to supercharge your networking skills:

1. Make a confident entrance. Before you enter the room, take a moment to check that your shoulders are pulled back and your head is held high – the signals of confidence and self-esteem. When you slouch, and by doing so condense your body, you look tentative and less assured.

2. Team up. If you’re uneasy about attending the event alone, go with a networking teammate. The role of each of you is to keep an eye on the other person, to make introductions, and to make sure that both of you are comfortably engaged in conversations.

3. Change your attitude. Pretend you are hosting the event and that your job is to help others have an enjoyable time. Approaching people with an inclusive, welcoming attitude immediately resonates in a positive way.

4. Practice your interviewing skills. When you meet people for the first time, ask questions that get them to talk about their business. Ask them about their target market, what’s new in their industry, what challenges they’re facing, what got them in that profession, and what they like most about what they do, and what challenges they’re facing currently. Listen for things you have in commonservice.

5. Leave your smart phone home. Or, at least, keep it out of sight. When you text or check email while having a conversation, you make the other person feel slighted and unimportant.

6. Create “good karma.” Rescue the individual who is standing alone and scanning the room to find a friendly face. Approach that person and introduce yourself.

7. Slow down your smile. Charismatic, friendly people tend to smile more, with that distinctive crinkling around the eyes that is a sign of genuine emotion. But slow onset smiles lead to more positive reactions. So, rather that approaching people with a grin, begin with a slight smile and let it grow organically.

8. Ramp up your eye contact. Looking in someone's eyes transmits energy and indicates interest, and networking events provide a prime opportunity for enhancing this skill. Make it a practice to notice the eye color of everyone you meet. This will extend your gaze just a little bit longer than usual and make it a little bit more personal.

Focus on the other person (make it about them, not you). Stand tall and let your body show that you are confident. Open your body: no barriers, no crossed arms, or other defensive postures. Smile sincerely and slowly, approach people who look “left out,” make positive eye contact, and use the power of touch correctly. It’s not rocket science – but, used together, they have the power to supercharge your networking skills.

Want to know more? Head on over to the full article here for more ideas and perspectives. Afterwards, why not drop me an email to share your thoughts at [email protected]; or call me on 0467 749 378.

Thanks,

Robert