Wanna step up your networking game? Get over these five stumbling blocks to supercharge your career and your business.
Many people are simply not comfortable walking into a room full of strangers and striking up conversations. Nonetheless, networking events present opportunities to grow a business or promote a career. Successful networking can propel your career in unexpected ways.
1. Value Connections
Networking isn't about collecting business cards. It's about building genuine connections. Take the time to know the person behind the job title. Find common ground, engage in meaningful conversations, and foster relationships built on mutual interests and respect. Remember, the goal is not to meet the most people but to build meaningful relationships that can contribute to your professional growth. So, go ahead and start weaving your network, one genuine connection at a time.
2. Social Up
In today's digital age, social media is a powerful tool for networking. LinkedIn, in particular, is invaluable for professional networking. Join groups relevant to your industry, participate in discussions, and reach out to people who could provide insights and opportunities.
3. Attend Industry Events
Industry events, like conferences, seminars, and webinars, provide an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded individuals. When attending such events, be proactive. Don’t wait for people to approach you - initiate conversations and be ready with your "elevator pitch".
4. Offer Before You Ask
When you meet someone for the first time, instead of thinking about what you can gain from them, think about how you can be of help. Offering assistance not only helps build strong relationships but also makes it more likely that they'll want to return the favor in the future.
5. Follow Up
After meeting someone, always follow up with a quick message or email. This helps solidify your connection and opens the door for future communication. Remember, networking is not a one-time event but an ongoing process.
6. Stumbling Blocks
While networking can be a powerful tool for professional growth, it's not without its stumbling blocks. These road blockers can often lead to people avoiding networking opportunities altogether. By recognizing these stumbling blocks, individuals can devise strategies to overcome them and effectively leverage the power of networking. Here are five common stumbling blocks that you may face and tips to help you overcome them.
∎ Afraid of Talk to Strangers
You were taught at an early age not to speak to people you don't know. It's not safe. In certain situations today this is still good advice. In business, however, talking to strangers is a way to generate interest and support for your products and services.
If you only talk to the people you already know, you will miss out on opportunities to make new connections and establish valuable contacts.
To get past your discomfort in talking to strangers, set a goal for yourself before you attend any networking event. Come up with some icebreakers or conversation starters. Have questions prepared that you can ask anyone you meet at the event? Decide how many new contacts you want to make or how many strangers you want to meet. In some cases, you may specifically target individuals whom you'd like to know.
∎ No Formal Introductions
It's much easier to make new contact when there is someone else to handle the introduction and pave the way. If you wait for another person to make the move you may not meet anyone. At networking events, the goal is to meet as many people as possible.
This is the time to take the bull by the horns, walk up to people you don't know, introduce yourself and start a conversation. You can do this if you have prepared your self-introduction in advance.
You will not introduce yourself the same way on every occasion. Perhaps it is your first time attending an association meeting. In that case, you might want to say that as part of your introduction. Let people know who you are, and why you are there, and give them a reason to ask more about you.
∎ Trying Not To Be Seen As Pushy
You may think that you will turn people off if you are assertive. Assuming that if they want to talk to you, they will make the first move. If this is your line of thinking you will find yourself spending your time alone without a single new connection. Being open, friendly, and interested does not turn people off.
You will not come across as overly aggressive if you seek out "approachable" people. These are the ones who are standing alone or who are speaking in groups of three or more. Avoid approaching two people talking to each other. They may be having a private conversation and you would be interrupting.
∎ Caring About What People Think
There is always the risk that the other person is not interested in you and doesn't want to meet or talk to you. It happens. If that is the case, don't take it personally. Nothing ventured is nothing gained. When you get a cold shoulder, smile, move on, and say to yourself, "Next?"
∎ Being Misunderstood
Approaching someone of the opposite sex to begin a conversation may seem more like flirting than networking. This is more of an issue for women than men. Women have an equal place in the work arena and need to make professional connections the same as men do. Women in business can no longer afford to hold back when there is an opportunity at hand. There is no misunderstanding if the conversation focuses on business or topics that are not personal.
7. Keep Learning and Sharing
Networking is a two-way street. Stay updated with trends and developments in your industry so that you can share valuable insights during your interactions. This positions you as an expert and makes you a valuable contact in your network.
Successful networking can propel your career in unexpected ways. Remember, the goal is not to meet the most people but to build meaningful relationships that can contribute to your professional growth. So, go ahead and start weaving your network, one genuine connection at a time.
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