Keys to Successful Networking

You've probably heard this countless times: Getting ahead in your career is not just about what you know, but also about who you know. That's why being good at networking is critical.

But getting good at networking isn't just about chatting at events and trading contact info. It's actually a skill you can learn.

Because there are so many ways for people to promote themselves these days, you have to figure out how to stand out and get noticed. When you do it well, networking can open doors for job opportunities, help you find new clients, and discover talented people you might want to hire in the future.

Go Beyond Gathering Business Cards

In the world of networking, the goal is not just the quantity of connections, but to form quality connections. Trying to gather as many contacts as possible won't work well. Also, using networking as if it's a cold-call situation in person is a big mistake. Instead of trying to connect with everyone, focus on building strong relationships.

For every professional goal you have, come up with a plan to build relationships. List out the people who can play a key role in helping you achieve your success. This could be specific individuals, or you can create an ideal profile of the type of people you'd like to meet.

Write down why each person matters and how they can contribute to getting you closer to your goal. This will help you come up with a strategy for getting support from the right people.

Follow up and Keep Up the Communication

Upon establishing a strong and meaningful connection, many individuals tend to falter by neglecting the subsequent steps—neglecting post-meeting check-ins and underestimating the potential of the newfound relationship.

Directly after engaging in a discussion with an individual of interest, it is advisable to promptly jot down a brief note about the interaction. These notes should encompass any personal particulars gathered during the conversation that would be valuable to retain, such as hobbies, interests, and familial subjects.

Within the following couple of days, it is recommended to dispatch a follow-up email. In this email, consider incorporating relevant points of interest extracted from your notes. This not only contributes to cultivating the connection but also underscores your genuine effort in remembering those specifics about the person.

Maintaining the established connection is of paramount importance. Consistently nurturing your network is vital.

The frequency and depth of your engagements should be tailored according to the strength of the relationship. For more casual associations, sporadic interactions via social media could suffice. Conversely, for more profound connections, contemplate more substantial gestures such as considerate emails or arranging meetups.

Discover Your Contact's Strong Interests

Before you meet someone you want to form a relationship with, it's a good idea to find out what they really like. This could include things like the charities they support or any awards they've received. You can often learn about these things from their social media.

By doing this research, you show that you're genuinely interested in them as a person, not just for business reasons. It also helps you understand how you can help them. If you can offer something that matches their interests, they'll be more open to connecting with you.

Request a Purposeful Introduction

If you want to connect with a specific person, check their social media to see if you know someone who knows them or works at the same place. Share your strategy with your contact and explain that you want an opportunity to be able to mee that person and have them as part of your network. Ask if they can introduce you at an event where people network and connect.

If the person making the introduction can say anything good about you or about your business, it can help a lot. It makes you stand out and appear more trustworthy. When people trust you more, they're more likely to believe you're worth their time to meet with.

Offer First, Receive Later

One of the most common networking errors people make is rushing to ask for favors. One important rule for successful networking is to give before you expect to receive.

When you want to connect with someone, it's important to show them how they'll gain from the relationship. It doesn't have to be something big. It could be as simple as sharing an interesting article or introducing them to someone who shares their interests.

But when is it okay to ask for help in return? Well, that's a judgment you need to make. Yet, asking for favors too early can put off your contacts. It might even harm the positive connection you've built. If you ask for something before you've built a relationship, you're missing out on the chance to create one.

Imagine networking as a bank account. You have to put in deposits and build up social connections before you can make a withdrawal.

Look for Commonalities and Shared Interests

Creating a strong new relationship can be quicker if you find things you share with the other person. It could be something like attending the same school or both enjoying snowboarding.

When you concentrate on what you have in common, you can connect more easily. It's okay to ask personal questions that let the person talk about themselves.

If you have something special that you both like, it's like a ready-made way to start building a strong relationship.

Expand the Depth of Your Networking Pool

The more someone is like you, the easier it is to connect with them. That's why our social groups often include people who are similar in interests and backgrounds. But it's really important to have a mix of different people in your network to make it strong.

So, work towards networking with people who are very different from you. They can introduce you to entirely new groups of people. This not only helps you meet important contacts you wouldn't meet otherwise, but it also makes you stand out.

A good way to do this is to connect with people who are younger or less experienced in your field. A lot of times people on networking with people they seem to be ahead of them and neglect the ability to "network down." These connections could eventually become sources of valuable information that can propel your career forward.