How you interact with people is an important component of networking. Your actions demonstrate the type of person you are, which is a reflection on how you do business and associate yourself with others.
When you meet people, make sure to leave a good impression by acting genuine. By demonstrating this type of behavior, people should remember you. You do not want to have a bad reputation in networking and business circles.
If you haven’t already realized, networking circles are small. By the six degrees of separation theory, people know people, so be careful. Make an effort to build relationships with people through sincere networking. Be honest with people, treat them with respect and help them when you can.
Give Your Full Attention
When talking with people, make sure to give them your full attention by staying focused on the entire conversation. Do not let your eyes wander as you might come across as disinterested or rude. Ask thought-provoking questions to show you are listening and you actually care about what’s being said.
Your listening skills will be appreciated.
People like to talk about themselves and their businesses so give them the opportunity. Try not to interrupt by letting others finish their thoughts or sentences before speaking. If you interrupt people, it might show that you’re not interested in what they have to say.
Of course, times may occur when you don’t want to continue a conversation. When that happens, politely excuse yourself. You want to build a reputation as a good conversationalist so people will enjoy talking with you.
Talk With Enthusiasm
When it’s your turn to talk, show some enthusiasm. Many people speak with little emotion so make yourself stand out by showing some animation in your voice and actions. By showing some excitement, people will tend to listen more closely to what you have to say. After all, you want people to remember your conversations.
Not only will enthusiasm inspire people to listen but it also will show that you have a passion for what you do both professionally and personally. You will be taken more seriously, which is a necessary component of networking for building relationships.
Say Cheese
By smiling, you will make people feel welcome and make yourself more approachable. As a result, your conversations will feel more comfortable and natural with others. In addition, smiling shows that you are generally a happy person, which signifies that your conversations will most likely be positive.
People don’t like to talk with negative people (especially at networking events). So long as your smile doesn’t come across as forced, you will be perceived as genuine. Your demeanor with people is an important aspect of networking success so make sure you stay positive and smile often.
Help Others
One of the most important aspects of networking is offering to help others. Before you ask for help, you should first offer your services to others. When communicating with people, find out their needs and how you can help them.
Whether it’s industry information, business consulting or connections, everyone has something to share. By figuring out how your resources can help other people, you will make yourself a more valuable person to know.
If you can’t immediately help someone, find a way to come through later. Reach out to your contacts and ask them for their help. Keeping in touch with your network is important so this is a great way to reestablish your relationships.
If you’re typically a taker rather than a giver, you will have a much harder time with networking. People won’t readily offer their help to you until you have built a trusted relationship with them. Therefore, show them what you to have offer by helping them with their needs.
What comes around goes around. Do whatever you can to help now. When the time comes for your needs, your contacts will be there for you.
Share Resources
Part of helping others is the sharing of resources (whether it’s information, connections, knowledge or expertise). Because of your work experience and general business knowledge, you should have something to offer for the benefit of others.
Don’t sell yourself short. Your skills and knowledge will be helpful to someone. Think about what you can offer and compile your resources together so you can easily share them with people.
Put a binder together or even create a Web site that showcases what you have to offer.
Another important resource is your contacts. Make sure your contact information is organized so you can easily draw upon your network when you need to. Your contacts are a big part of your resources. Use them wisely.
By contacting people in your network, you will be able to continue building or even reestablish some of your relationships. Make sure you don’t put any of these people in an uncomfortable situation and only utilize them for situations that only benefit you.
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Great list, especially your advice to smile. Smiling makes all the difference in interpersonal communication, even when on the phone! When you smile, it not only projects something onto the other person, but it gives you a more positive attitude on what you are saying.
mp/m
Posted by: Mike Maddaloni | June 26, 2007 at 06:16 AM
Yes, I completely agree with you Mike. Smiling makes you approachable and easy to talk to. You are right that it can shine through on a phone call. The key is to have a positive attitude when talking with people. Smiling should then come more naturally.
Posted by: Jason Jacobsohn | June 26, 2007 at 09:02 PM