Networking is not only necessary but a need to grow your career or business. It is not just limited to business or sales professionals but to every individual who wishes to rise in their career. The important thing about networking is not usually in a way that you make the other person feel that you are building a network. You genuinely should showcase interest in building good relationships and not just for a probable benefit you may have in future. The idea is to meet new people, talk, build a rapport and network.
Meaningful Connections
It is very important to with whom you are networking and how relevant connections you are making. The connections you are supposed to look out for should be the ones who could have a good influence on your network.
Begin with people you know
We always have few people we know and also understand they are relevant people you should interact. Somehow the person is just limited to a phone contact in our phonebook but we don’t make an efforts to interact with them. Friends, relatives, and mutual friends who are in the same industry but we don’t bother to reach out to them or interact even if we have any social gathering or opportunity. Sometimes we hesitate to make the first move.
Never limit yourself
Sometimes we define our territory that we are supposed to network with a certain group or level of people. You should always be open to making connections with people who could be a good influence for you. Do not be afraid to make new contacts and approach new people. You should have a genuine interest in networking and a polite and courteous way to approach.
Connect with the right people
When connecting you should always connect with people having similar interests, careers, industry and moreover who can be a good influence as your connection.
Carry a business card
It doesn’t matter if you are travelling or gathering for work or personal purposes, you must carry a business card. You definitely can have contact details but a business card still is a very welcoming gesture.
Remember Names
This is one of the simple but very vital tips which works almost everywhere. It is a pleasing thing when we see someone whom we have not much interaction with but is addressing us by our name. There is definitely a chance that the person would try to remember your name or at least remember you the next time you meet them.
Connect Professionally (Through Linkedin)
Where social media is blamed for hampering work productivity, you can always use the time and resources to build a professional network on a networking platform like LinkedIn.
Try to be a help
Being a help doesn’t mean you have to advise or suggest someone when they are not even looking for you. Being a help when you know someone is looking up to you for reference, recommendation or any information.
Learn to initiate
It is very intimidating for many to initiate a conversation with someone they would like to. The worst thing could happen is you will be excused which happens very rarely. When you are at an event, exhibition, or any gathering, you can always take time to say hi or have a short conversation with people you would like to network.
Leave an impression
you have to leave an impression in a way that the person remembers you next time or you feel invited the next time you meet them.
Try to get a contact
Getting a contact with the person you have met and who could be a good influence is the right thing to do. It doesn’t matter if you get a phone number or a visiting card. It is also a way to show your interest that you would like to stay in touch. There is always a regret left when we couldn’t get the contact just because we were too hesitant to be the one asking for it. It doesn’t matter who asks first, the important thing is that contact is exchanged.
Add value to a conversation
When you are in a group of people, it would never benefit you if your presence is not witnessed by the other members. You should involve yourself in conversation when you find the right opportunity. It never means that you have to be the one talking all the while, you may speak less but you are worthy. You should add value to the ongoing conversation.
Follow up
It is one of the important things that many of us fail to do. When we have met someone important and we have the person in our network, we never follow up. Follow-up doesn’t mean that you have to make frequent calls or load them with messages, you should try to further build a relationship with them. You can wish them happy birthdays, and greeting on important festivals, if you happen to be at the same event, be the one to go there and say hi to them.
These are some of the tips we all know about but we hardly care or put into practice. Networking is not less than marketing a product, you must market yourself to the industry and its people. Your existence should be visible to the people and you should make yourself important that other people wish to connect with you.
You can share more tips or suggestions in the comment section.