Professional Networking: Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to share an article I read about networking. Here are a few highlights:

Your professional network can unlock many business and career growth opportunities, making it one of your most valuable assets—potentially more than your talent.

But how do you build a meaningful professional network? The answer lies in online professional networking, which involves actively participating in networking events.

If you’re new to this, I will help you understand professional networking and its importance to your career. I will also give you handy tips on how to build a strong professional network.

The Benefits of Professional Networking for your Career Growth

According to a LinkedIn study, nearly 80% of the participants considered professional networking essential to their career success.?Here are the various ways networking professionally impacts your success at the workplace:

1. Build connections

Generally, people who are junior in their organisations or belong to a minority may feel that they don’t have much to give and, therefore, hesitate to network. However, they’re the ones who will probably derive the most benefit from it.?

Networking can help you build, or at least know, the knowledge and skills needed for your job and how to achieve them. Through professional networking, you get to connect with:

1. Prospects: Meet potential clients who would be interested in and need your products or services?
2. Experts: Converse with professionals and gain insights on the trends and developments in your industry or areas of interest by attending workshops, conferences, and seminars
3. Mentors: Find mentors who can support, advise, and guide you through your career journey
4. Sponsors: Find a sponsor who can help you advance your career by advocating for you, connecting you with the right decision-maker, and helping you gain visibility

2. Spread the word about your business?

In events, you can simultaneously take your business on thousands of relevant people’s radars. You can bring it up organically as you network or snag a speaking slot to share your story formally.?

Such events give you a vast audience of potential prospects and strategic partners to promote your business, hire, and create awareness.?

3. Stay on top of industry trends

Between educational sessions, keynote talks, and networking chats, events keep you informed about your field’s latest trends and innovations.?

Having your finger on the pulse of industry developments helps you position your business for success.?

4. Recharge your motivation?

Your professional journey may sometimes feel lonesome and draining. But surrounding yourself with the energy and passion of like-minded people can re-spark your enthusiasm and drive.?

The keynotes and success stories can also energise you with new inspiration and perspectives.?

5. Level up your skills?

You can learn new tactics and insider tips to boost your abilities through hands-on workshops and training sessions. In a way, you’re building your professional learning network to hone your skills actively instead of just passively reading about them.?

Additionally, participating in a mentoring program at these events can provide personalised guidance, helping you to apply what you’ve learned more effectively in your career.?

Professional Networking Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Participation

1. Networking for learning first and networking second

Generally, networking is for promoting a business, product, or service. However, professional networking conducted online or through in-person events brings many opportunities to learn, collaborate, and brainstorm new ideas with people who share similar interests and goals.

A LinkedIn influencer rightly said that instead of trying to be interesting, one must start showing interest in the skills and expertise of others.

So don’t see networking merely as a promotional event. Take it as an opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your job.?A simple and slight change in mindset can make your networking experience more fulfilling.

2. Choose the right professional networking event

With so many in-person and online professional networking events, I’m sure you’ll be spoilt for choice. You’ll encounter conferences, webinars, workshops, meet-ups, luncheons, and expos. Follow these tips to narrow down the events that are truly worth your time:?

• Evaluate your objectives: Do you aspire to cultivate new prospect relationships? Or do you want to establish connections with potential vendors? Opting for events that align with your desired outcomes is crucial
• Define your target audience: Focus on events where your ideal target market gathers. When researching an event, consider the participants’ specific attributes to determine if they characterise your ideal audience. In addition to fellow professionals, you may also target end-buyers. For example, your target audience in a real estate expo might be property investors over 40 years old with significant net worth
• Consider your personality and preferences: Acknowledging your networking style is crucial in making the right choice. Some individuals thrive in the dynamic atmosphere of vast conferences. In contrast, some find comfort in smaller, more intimate workshops where in-depth conversations can flourish?
• Evaluate the cost of participation: Weigh the cost of admission against the benefits you expect from attending an event. While larger events offer heightened exposure, they are generally more expensive
• Don’t shy away from virtual networking events: Online professional networking can save travel costs and time. It is also a great option if you can find your target audience or the professionals with whom you want to connect

3. Perfect your elevator pitch?

Time constraints often come into play during professional networking. So always be ready to share who you are, what you do, and what you want in 30 seconds or less.?

Distill it down to a snappy overview. You can also rehearse your quick pitch before a mirror until it flows smoothly and confidently to your liking. This ensures you make a memorable first impression.?

4. Project professionalism and tech-savviness

Researchers followed the careers of 752 economists who graduated from top economics doctoral programs in the United States between 2002 and 2006. They were surprised that physical attractiveness was a strong and persistent predictor of job outcomes and research success.?

Therefore, exude a professional image, from outfit to demeanor. This is integral to making a lasting impact:

• Dress to impress. Your attire should mirror your brand while reflecting your professionalism and commitment to forging connections
• Cultivate an approachable demeanor that encourages conversations. Display a genuine interest in others and initiate positive discussions?
• Show your adaptability by integrating technology into your networking approach. For example, digital business cards can highlight your preparedness?

5. Don’t just listen. Actively listen?

Focus entirely on the person you’re interacting with during conversations. Make eye contact, ask thoughtful questions, and respond to what the other person shares.?Show that you’re genuinely interested in connecting. Active listening builds rapport, which is critical for meaningful conversations.?

Also, don’t be afraid to initiate conversions. Hovering around the periphery and waiting for someone to approach you wastes your productive time.?

Networking mistakes to avoid

Here are some of the common networking mistakes that can negatively impact you and the best course of action you can take to avoid them:

1. Going to an event unprepared

One of the worst things you can do during professional networking is attend it without knowing it in detail. Here is how to know about an event using multiple channels:?

• Spend time reading about the event (panel, agenda)
• Start from the event’s website or landing page
• Gradually read the social reviews
• See what people talk about it on public forums
• Check the posts that come on the event’s social media page

2. Not expressing gratitude

Approaching networking with negativity or ungraciousness will likely lead to missed opportunities.?Express gratitude for any assistance received and cultivate a positive mindset. Studies show that thanking a new acquaintance makes them more likely to seek an ongoing relationship. If you miss the above steps, you could miss out on career advancements or risk having limited industry knowledge and a smaller pool of potential mentors.

3. Focusing solely on yourself

Psychological studies have shown that individuals may struggle to make objective decisions when excessively focused on themselves.?The inability to see beyond their perspective limits their ability to consider different viewpoints and make well-rounded choices.

Networking is about building genuine, mutually beneficial relationships. Focusing solely on yourself, targeting specific seniority levels, or prioritising quantity over quality will limit the effectiveness of your networking efforts. Invest time in deepening connections and offering value to others.

4. Not following up after attending the professional networking event

An HBR survey revealed that more than half of the professionals never received any follow-up from the networkers they’d met during a webinar. Without proper follow-up, your networking efforts will be futile.?Exchange contact information, take notes, and try to stay in touch. Following up demonstrates interest and strengthens relationships.

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