Networking can be a bit daunting. We all know we need to do it … but how, where and why do we do it, and what can we get out of it, and bring to it? Here are 10 handy hints for making networking work for you.
It’s fine to be scared: everyone else is too!
Walking into a room full of people you don’t know is daunting to all but the most extrovert of people. The key to conquering this fear is knowing that 90% of the people around you, even people who have been to the event before, are at least a little apprehensive, too.
Dress for success
You don’t always need to be very formally dressed, but it’s worth finding out from the event organiser whether there’s a dress code. Most of us feel more comfortable when we fit in with the crowd, and knowing how to pitch your outfit is part of that. Neat and tidy always wins – and overdress rather than underdress.
Try before buying
There’s a huge variety of networking events and organisations out there. Some of them charge a fee to be a member of their club. That’s fine – but most of them will let you try out a meeting or two before you commit to that expensive membership.
Be diverse
The huge range of networking events available means that there’s one – or more – to suit everyone. Try out a few different ones and see what you like. If you’re chatting to someone at a networking event and you seem to get on and have similar views, ask them which other meetings they go to. Other ways to find out more include social networks, notices in your library, and articles in business magazines.
Love your local
I recently joined my local High Street Business Association. I’ve got a small ad on their website, a listing in their directory and I’ve already been to a breakfast meeting at a local café. You’ve always got something to talk about when you’re all local!
Keep going
Most networking events happen regularly and some take a while to work your way in to. I’d suggest that you need a little time to get used to the particular group and how it works – plus repeat appearances will keep you in people’s minds.
Direct sales? Maybe not. Recommendations: yes
You may well not sell your services to the people you meet at a networking event. Sometimes you might even meet a rival businessperson! Just because you’re not going to get a sale doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk to these people. You can talk about general business matters, and pick up some tips and hints. One lady recommended me to a contact on Twitter, after I’d met her at a Social Media Café. It’s always worth actually asking people to think of you if they come across anyone who needs whatever it is you do.
Do team up with “rivals”
I am friends with other people in my line of business: it’s useful when you have too much work or something comes in that’s not one of your specialities. So if you meet someone who’s in the same business, don’t bristle and walk away, but think how you can benefit one another.
Connect people
Don’t just consider what you can get out of networking events. If you meet lots of different people, chances are that you’ll meet someone and realise you know just the person that can help them. If they’re both at the event, take the time to introduce them. They’ll both thank you for it – and remember you.
Follow up
You will undoubtedly come back from networking events with a fistful of business cards. Don’t just shove them in a drawer. Email everyone you met, even if you don’t think you’ll get a direct sale from them, to say that you enjoyed meeting them, and establish that contact. You never know when one of you might come in useful to the other.
Do give networking a go. In no time, you’ll be striding confidently in to the room, greeting familiar faces, making other people feel comfortable, and making useful contacts and/or helping other people.
Liz Broomfield runs Libroediting, a proof-reading, editing, writing and transcription business that’s now 2 years old. Liz attends Social Media Cafes, Entrepreneurs’ Groups and her local Business Association breakfasts.
Liz is active in the Skills Hive and you can follow her on twitter @lyzzybee_libro
I was at the FSB We Mean Business event yesterday and heard a really motivational speech from Brad Burton who founded 4Networking. He made another really important point – Never pre-judge people when networking, you might think to yourself that they are not the sort of contacts that are going to help your business, but you never know who they know. Just get talking and you may well be surprised at who can put you in touch with the right people.