Networking is about how to build and maintain long-term relationships between people with the aim of creating a reliable network of connections. The art of communication is now the foundation of every successful business. If you know what networking is and how to do it successfully, countless opportunities open up for you to climb the career ladder in a relatively short time and open up new horizons.
A well-built network of contacts will guarantee you a faster exchange of information. If you can combine your own knowledge and experience with someone else’s skills, you will significantly increase your work efficiency, whatever field you work in. You will also have a much better overview of what is happening in the world around you and you will not get stuck in a so-called social bubble.
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Why get into networking?
Here are several reasons why networking should be a key part of your plans if you really want to build your career.
A chance to exchange views
You can never find out how much you know without listening to other people. Career success is largely down to the amount of information or ideas you have gained in the past. Networking encourages an exchange of ideas, which sustains long-term relationships and mutual trust.
It makes you visible
People who want to raise their profile, whether for business, politics or even fame, make greater use of networking. People quickly notice others who have skills that make them relevant. When you stand out both for your expertise and for the services you offer, you create room for partnerships that then build your career.
Many new opportunities
When people start to notice you, it opens the door to new opportunities. Entrepreneurs and career-minded people who build contacts can get where they want with minimal effort, because networking opens up many new opportunities for them. Opportunities such as meeting the right clients, or even meeting people who are further ahead on your career path, can be a springboard that changes your life for the better.
It boosts creativity
Aspirations and great innovations are mostly shaped by the external factors around you. Intellectual abilities in various professions improve significantly thanks to the contacts you have built over time. Even a single conversation with one person can change a whole year of research and lead to a breakthrough. Like-minded people who are able to share their ideas strongly develop their intellect and creativity, support growth in their careers and release their creative talent.
Growing self-confidence
Networking is a key tool for growing an inventive career. Training and certifications gained through networking strengthen self-confidence and support self-esteem. Self-confidence built up gradually can help you put yourself in a positive position whenever you talk to like-minded people in your career. It also gives you a chance to stand out in job interviews. So the more effectively you build contacts, the more self-confidence you will develop over time.
You develop long-term relationships
If networking is a two-way relationship, the right networking channel can help you build your career. Networking may not be an easy or quick way to build long-term relationships. But making it a mutual process of giving and taking can open the door to a stronger relationship. People who have made networking their sole priority have managed to build careers that match the goals they set.
How to network the right way
An experienced networker should be able to start a conversation and make new friends no matter when and where they happen to be. In this article, we sum up 5 tips on how professionals network!
1. Set a goal and a place for networking
Before you head off to a chosen event, it is a good idea to decide what you expect from it. Are you looking for enthusiasts who will go into business with you? Do you want to make contacts in a particular field? Or are you just looking for soulmates? The answers to these questions will help you choose a suitable strategy and the places where you will focus on networking.
Good places for networking:
- company events,
- workshops,
- conferences and talks,
- sporting events (marathons, fitness classes),
- festivals.
The golden rule is: arrive 15 minutes early.
Get to the event before it starts. You will have a unique chance to meet the organisers and much more room to get noticed before you get lost in the crowd. People will probably remember you better if you manage to approach them before the socialising begins and their attention shifts towards the refreshments stand
2. Networking takes practice
Like everything else, networking takes practice. If you already know that you are more of an introvert and the idea of going to an event where you know no one terrifies you, it is better to spend enough time preparing at home. Even Steve Jobs had to prepare his speech before he went on stage.
First impressions play a very important role when meeting new people. You can dazzle the other person right away, or you can unpleasantly surprise them. In the second case, the consequences will be hard to fix later, and it will probably take you a great deal of effort to repair the damage. So pay attention to a neat appearance and good manners, and do not forget to watch the non-verbal signals of the person you are talking to. Body language can reveal much more than you might expect. You can notice in time when your companion is starting to get bored, or is making it clear that you have been talking too long and should pass the baton.
Use “small talk”
Ideally, an intermediary or a mutual acquaintance will introduce you to a stranger at a social event. But it may happen that no such person is around. In that case, the easiest way to start a conversation with a stranger is so-called “small talk”, or a short chat. These are usually polite phrases that we exchange every day with colleagues, friends or family members, such as “Is this your first time here, or do you come to these talks regularly?” or “Have you tried that delicious raspberry dessert yet?”
It is an easy and effective way to break the ice and overcome initial shyness when meeting people. It is important to come across as natural and to be able to listen to people. Show that you are genuinely interested in what the other person is trying to tell you and you will have a much better chance of winning them over. In general, it is better to avoid complicated or controversial topics such as politics or religion. On the other hand, topics that bring people together across continents are music, food and sport.
Always have a business card to hand
Even though most of us barely pick up a pen and paper these days, business cards are still relevant in business meetings. Over time, business cards have gone through many changes and followed all sorts of trends. Compared with the first business cards, which nobles exchanged in the form of portraits, today’s cards are much more compact. A small card with basic details about you is all you need for successful networking.
If you want to impress the people around you, you can create, for example, a video business card, which estate agents use very often. There are also smart apps that can load the most important details from a business card into your smartphone in a few seconds, where you will have all your contacts neatly organised.
3. Create an “image” for your networking
Networking is about building your own network of contacts. Just as you are looking for new contacts for your network, you can also become part of someone else’s network. Think about how the people around you should see you and which profession or skill people should associate you with. For example, you can introduce yourself as an IT specialist who is currently working on a new app for mobile devices. Next time people talk about what’s new in the App Store, they are sure to think of you!
Prepare an “elevator pitch”
The term elevator pitch refers to a short presentation that should introduce the main idea of your business or you yourself as an expert in a particular field. Do not try to pack this speech with as much technical information as possible. Instead, focus on briefly and concisely summing up the most important points that might interest your listeners.
The standard length of an “elevator pitch” should not exceed 60 seconds, which is why it is also called “one-minute networking”. If you meet someone who is already interested in the field, you can make your pitch a little longer. The aim is to give your business partner an idea of what you do. If you manage to catch their interest, you can arrange another meeting to discuss any questions in more detail.
4. Polish your social media profile
The online world is the ideal place for promoting your product or social networking. Create a trustworthy profile on social networks such as FB, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Read some articles about the latest trends. In this article: new trends and marketing on Instagram. Describe your product or the services you offer so that anyone who visits your profile can get to know them straight away. Professional photos or interesting YouTube videos can also make a good impression.
Many employers today look at their applicants’ social media profiles, so you should never share anything online that could needlessly compromise you. On the other hand, you will make a good impression if you regularly share links to your personal blog or publish useful content on your profile that shows you have broad general knowledge.
At first, you should use social networks only as a way to approach potential business partners or customers. One example is an invitation to an event your company is organising. Only after you have met real people can you keep in touch with them through social networks.
5. Stay in touch, look after your network
If you have already taken the first step towards successful networking and made new contacts, you are heading in the right direction. However, you should not leave a long gap. After a meeting with a business partner, you can, for example, send them an email to say thank you and perhaps invite them to another event. If you keep giving enough care and attention to your new contacts, over time they will become close acquaintances, friends or colleagues, not just “dead” entries in your address book.
