Networking – some people love it, some people hate it. But when push comes to shove, it’s hands down still one of the most powerful ways to do business. If you’re not making connections, meeting people and making impressions, it may not bode too well for your growing business.
I’ve met some of the most amazing people that have become great friends, advocates and some of the most powerful members of my circle of influence through networking, and I cannot stress how beneficial it is to simply ‘get out there’ and meet people. I believe one of the biggest mistakes people make is not to have a plan, and not be themselves. Ultimately, the most enduring relationships we make are with likeminded people, so you need to be yourself anyway. Some of these relationships may take years to bear fruit, but if they translate into a dream prospect or project, isn’t it worth it?
In part one of this series on networking, here are three of our best tips for successful networking:
Pick the right forum
As the old saying goes, fish where the fish are. Networking via industry forums is more likely to bring you into contact with other fisherman, not fish. It’s better to identify a forum where the members are either prospects themselves, or centres of influence who can lead you to prospects. Community based forums and associations are a great way to come into contact with people from all walks of life. You could also consider your local marketing institute chapter, or chamber of commerce. Even sporting and cultural associations can be a chance to meet a wide array of people, as well as indulge a passion.
For me sponsoring Leaders and Lattes a womens networking group puts me in contact with heaps of women in business, all who want to network, learn and grow in their businesses. BNI has also introduced me to some amazing people and helped build and create lasting relationships.
Start small
Don’t set yourself targets that are insurmountable and stressful as they can be counterproductive, especially if you are a relatively inexperienced networker. Many people think that at an event you’ll be handing out your business card left, right and centre. The reality is that it’s best to meet two or three people, where you’ll have a decent conversation and swap cards and then arrange a time to follow up with a coffee. It might also help if you know someone at the event, who you can ask to introduce you to some of their connections. If you can also let them know the sort of prospects you’d ideally like to meet, you can really capitalise on your time.
Be authentic and be positive
The best networkers are genuinely interested in the people they meet, rather than what those people can do for them or buy from them. Pick up on conversation cues that you can talk about or add onto when meeting someone, and be prepared to work at it in subsequent meetings. Remember – if you have a brilliant conversation with someone, they’re more likely to remember you than someone who you just had a ‘work’ chat to. Networker supreme, Dale Carnegie once said ‘you can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in people than in two years spent making people interested in you.’
Most of all, networking is fun. Jump in and have a go!
