Networking Insight

How to Build a Professional Business Networking (video)

11 Relationship Building Tips for the Holidays

While the holidays are generally a time to relax with family and friends, don’t let it completely take you away from your relationship building. The holidays are a good time to meet new people and further build your existing relationship. 

Below are 11 tips for the holidays that will help you to stay focused:

1. Attend holiday parties – Way to meet to meet new people and re-connect with others

2. Host your own holiday party – Allows you to bring your network to you

3. Send holiday cards – Good reason to reach out to people whether electronically or regular mail

4. Meet one-on-one – Slow time for many so good time to sit down with people

5. Catch up on emails – Take the time to catch up on your relationship building emails

6. Accept hospitality from others – Show your respect by accepting drinks, food, etc. 

7. Help others – Good time of the year to lend a hand

8. Drink in moderation – Don’t drink too much while attending parties

9. Give holiday gifts – Send gifts to those who you really appreciate in your network

10. Plan events – Start thinking about which events that you would like to host in the new year

11. Plan New Year’s resolutions – Make a list of what you would like to accomplish with your relationship building in the upcoming year

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3 Ways to Make Networking Fun (video)

3 Ways to Make Networking Fun

How Do You Stay Relevant with Your Network?

The more people who you meet that become part of your network the more difficult it is to stay in front of them.  In order to maintain your network, you need to find ways to stay relevant.  Below are some techniques to consider:

Email or Newsletter

Send out an email or newsletter on a regular basis so your name is continuously in front of your network. However, don’t just send anything out. Make sure that the content is valuable and interesting to people. 

Blog

Create your content by setting up a blog. Share your thoughts and respond to peoples’ comments so you have a two way communication.  Share your blog posts with your network.

Twitter

Become active with Twitter by tweeting content that is relevant several times every day.  Follow others in your network and re-tweet them, which shows that you are paying attention to them.

Website

Set up a personal Website that shows your expertise and provides valuable content.  Link all of your activities to this site so your network can go to one place to find what you are doing.

Speak

Find opportunities to speak about your subject matter expertise. Inform your network of these speaking opportunities so they may not only listen to you speak, but also they may see you as an expert.

Articles

In addition to a blog, find opportunities to write and publish articles in publications or blogs. By others accepting your articles, you are further demonstrating your expertise.

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Five Networking Tips for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a great time of the year to re-connect and build your relationship with family, friends, and colleague.  

Below are five networking tips to help you get the most out of Thanksgiving.

1. Wish people in your network a Happy Thanksgiving a couple of days before. Holidays are great reason to reach out to people in your network.  It is important to stay in front of others.

2. Get together with childhood friends while all of you are in the same town. With the long weekend, you should be able to find some time to see them.  Good way to reconnect and keep up with each other’s lives.

3. Spend time with your family to get to know them better. Take the time to learn what others in your family are doing professionally, especially the people who you don’t see much. You never know what synergies may exist.

4. Catch up with emails during the downtime. Shortly after Thanksgiving, go through your emails and respond to people. The extra time off should give you the extra push to get this done.

5. Have fun and clear your mind. Relax so you are refreshed for the following week. Every once in awhile, it is good to take a short break from business to re-motivate yourself.

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Ten Actions of Great Networkers

Like anything in life, you can learn from the success of others. Networking is no different. We all know great networkers. Unfortunately, we also know bad networkers. Separate the good from the bad.

Below are ten actions of great networkers that you can start to utilize to make your networking more effective:

1. Follows-up within a day of meeting a new person
2. Lets others talk about themselves
3. Doesn’t interrupt others when talking
4. Continuously finds ways to provide value
5. Regularly connects people together
6. Doesn’t keep score
7. Willing to talk to anyone
8. Demonstrates an expertise
9. Maintains a positive demeanor at all times
10. Thanks people

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Developing a Plan for Professional Networking (video)

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Reid Hoffman: Social Networking in Business

Seven Actions to Make People Smile During Conversations

 
When talking with others, you want them to feel good about the conversation.  In fact, making them feel good about themselves is important. Below are seven actions that you can do to make others feel good during your discussion. By doing so, you will have a high probability of developing a relationship.

1. Validate what others are saying by using words such as “yes” and “I understand”
2. Offer to help connect others to people in your network
3. Laugh at jokes or funny comments
4. Let others talk about themselves
5. Let new people join the conversation and make an introduction
6. Ask good questions to show that you have genuine interest
7. Smile often to make the other person comfortabl

What else can you think of?

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