Guidelines for Effective Business Networking
Do you often struggle networking for your business?
Read this article to become a super-skilled networker and take your business to new heights.
Business networking is the process of building professional relationships that can lead to shared knowledge, referrals and opportunities over time. Whether you meet people in the Fraser Valley or elsewhere in Canada, focus on useful conversations and follow-through rather than expecting an immediate sale.
These six tips can help you approach networking with a clear purpose.
1) Set a clear networking goal.
Choose a realistic goal before an event. For example, you might aim to meet two local business owners, learn about their work and identify one way to be helpful. A specific goal makes it easier to choose events and follow up without turning every conversation into a sales pitch.
2) Attend business seminars.
Look for events hosted by your local chamber of commerce, business improvement association (BIA), industry group or community organization. Choose an event relevant to the people you want to meet and check its schedule and cost before registering.
Introduce yourself briefly, ask what brought the other person to the event and listen for shared interests. A few thoughtful conversations can be more valuable than collecting a large stack of business cards.
3) Focus on giving rather than taking.
Look for ways to be useful, such as sharing a relevant resource or making an introduction when both people welcome it. Give without assuming an immediate return. Trust develops through reliable, respectful interactions over time.
4) Work on your communication skills.
Your success in networking depends a lot on how well you communicate. But, don’t fret. Communication is not some genie you’ve got to trap in a bottle. It’s easier than you think. The key to mastering communication is being open-minded, acting natural and warm right from the start of your conversations. Drop all pretence and be yourself. To hone your communication, you could take some courses or read a good book on some skills that will aid you in networking situations.
To get you started, here’s a solid recommendation: How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie.
5) Be active on social media.
Social platforms can help you stay in touch, share useful work and learn about local events, but they are not the only way to build relationships. Choose the channels your contacts actually use and maintain a manageable social media presence if it fits your goals. You can also get help with social media when needed.
6) Always follow up on your networking!
Follow through on any introduction or resource you offered. After a useful conversation, send a brief, personal note while the meeting is still fresh: mention what you discussed and suggest a next step only if it makes sense. Keep the relationship useful and respectful rather than sending a generic sales pitch.
