7 Tips from Professional Networkers
March 28, 2013
A successful career is increasingly about who you know, not what you know.
Sure, having a skillset is important, and you won’t get very far without one. Professional networking is just as critical for creating the right foundation to build a career or launch a company, but many become too overwhelmed by the process to get anywhere.
Networking doesn’t have to be intimidating or difficult--you just have to have the know-how. To find out the best networking practices, I spoke to Jim Riley, founder of Kaleio--a company that’s revolutionizing global workforce communication through networking--and his colleagueAdam Navarrete, Kaleio’s director of social media marketing.
Check out their tips for networking with ease below:
1. Assess yourself. You can’t network properly without knowing what you want, so it’s important to define a strategy first. Determine what it is you want out of the interaction. If you want advice on how to further your individual project or startup, tailor your interaction to get that information. If you want to offer your skills to a professional contact or company, prepare materials to convince them you’re the right person for the job. Have a clear goal first--then, you can develop your process for meeting it.
2. Create conversations with impact. You can develop a quick, 60-second elevator pitch to let top professionals know who you are, and what you want to get out of your conversation. Remember--networking is a two-way endeavor. Keep it short, ask appropriate questions, and invite the contact to coffee if you run out of time. If you’re at a networking event, always ask for contact information before moving on. You want to engage in as many meaningful conversations as possible and can always follow up with someone later to have a more indepth conversation.
3. Make time blocks. Sticking to a schedule can help you to network efficiently. Connecting with professionals has the most impact when it’s done over and over. Create a schedule by blocking in times of your day, week, or month you’ll devote to reaching out to key contacts.
4. Be engaging. If you don’t show enthusiasm or passion about your industry, chances are, you won’t be taken seriously. Engage with your networking contacts by asking questions and demonstrating your skills and expertise. This will help you to move forward in your networking goals.
5. Follow up on your word. Always follow up on what you say you’re going to do--and quickly. At a networking event, skip business cards--which often get lost--and gather email addresses instead. Email the contact right there and then to nail down the connection. Professionals are busy, so if you tell a contact you’ll send a resume or portfolio, do it as soon as possible. Keeping on top of your promises will show you’re credible.
6. Stay organized. Getting contact information confused is the first sign of negligence. You don’t want to follow up with the wrong professional or forget a contact’s last name. Keep a list of professional contacts, along with contact information, company details, and tags or labels about each person’s expertise.
7. Let go of fear. Be open to networking opportunities you may not have planned on. Think of your entire life as a networking opportunity, and stay brave when it comes to approaching professionals you may be intimidated by.
Focus your energy on networking first, and watch your business or individual project grow later.
About Ilya Pozin:
Founder of Ciplex. Columnist for Inc, Forbes & LinkedIn. Gadget lover, investor, mentor, husband, father, and '30 Under 30' entrepreneur. Follow Ilya below to stay up-to-date with his articles and updates!
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