Networking Insight

Five Reasons to Worry about Your Networking Efforts

Relationship building takes time to see the results of your efforts. It is a necessary aspect of business. At the same, you want to make sure that you are effective and efficient. Otherwise, you may feel like you are wasting your time. Be patient but also pay attention to your techniques.

Below are five reasons to worry about your networking efforts. You may need to make some adjustments.

1. You rarely get referrals - If you are the one always giving our referrals and rarely getting any in return, then it is time to re-evaluate your relationships and the referrals that you are making. Talk to the people who you regularly send referrals. Find out what is working. It may be time to fine-tune the type of referrals that you are making.

2. You attend events and just collect cards - Attending events can be an effective way to meet new people but also to continue building relationships with those who you are already know. At each event, you should make it a goal to meet 1-2 high quality people who you can integrate into your network. However, if you just find yourself collecting cards for the sake of it, then you should re-evaluate who you are talking to and meeting. Make sure to spend time talking to less people and focus on a few high quality people.

3. You hear negative comments about your character - If you are starting to get negative feedback from others, then you may be doing something wrong. The last thing that you want to do is to have a bad image. Pay attention to your actions such as attending meetings on time, discussing positive subjects, and being courteous. You may have fallen off of the "nice" wagon so re-evaluate your actions.

5. You are spending too much time with the wrong people - The more that you attend events, leverage online tools, and get referrals, the more people who you will meet. So, this means that you could potentially be setting up lots of meetings on a weekly basis. Soon you will realize that you are meeting with too many people and some may be a waste of your time and their time.  So, try setting up less meetings so you can focus on the most appropriate people to meet. Also, set up more phone calls vs. in person meetings.

What other reasons make you worry about your networking efforts?

 

 

 

How to Improve Your Networking Abilities by Katherine Smith

Networking. It’s a dirty necessity of growing your business and building your reputation. It is something that few sincerely enjoy. It is also something that everyone must do. Luckily it is a skill that you can learn (or, at the very least, learn to fake really well). Here are some of the things that you can do to be a better networker.

Have a Plan

Setting up a networking plan is sort of like putting together a to-do list but for relationship building. You can literally map out your goals and then break those goals down into manageable items to check off of your list one at a time. When you think of networking as a to-do list, it becomes a lot less scary and pressure filled. Plus, checking items off of a to-do list, even a networking to-do list, is empowering and might even help you build confidence!

Embrace Your Inner Introvert

Introverts, in particular, are great at convincing themselves that networking is not for them. It’s easy to make this mistake since most networking events are focused on attracting as large a group as possible. If you take it apart, though, like Fast Company does here, being an introvert is actually a networking strength. By focusing on making an awesome impression on a few people, you are more likely to make lasting connections and move your conversation away from the larger events and into smaller spaces where you can really shine.

Moreover, anymore, networking events--particularly conferences and conventions--are finding ways to cater to their introverted attendees. For example, many have begun to incorporate a mobile event app like DoubleDutch or others as a way for people to reach out to each other (and to panelists, vendors, speakers, etc) in an environment that is more comfortable for them.

Listen More than You Talk

When you go to a networking event, prepared at least five questions you can ask someone besides “what do you do?” People love to talk about themselves and asking questions allows them to do this. It helps you seem interested in them, which will feed their egos and, conveniently, it takes the pressure of finding something interesting to say off of you!

Don’t Wait Until You’re Desperate

Many people wait until they are desperate for work or help to try to network and build relationships. It’s an easy trap to fall into. After all when you’re busy, you don’t have a lot of time to reach out to others and it’s easy to decide to spend the time doing the things that are currently demanding your attention (and hopefully are profitable) than to actively seek out situations that make you uncomfortable.

This is a mistake! The best time to network is when you don’t need to network. You’re calmer, more casual and are less likely to come across as an opportunist. People are more likely to respond to you when they feel like you want to know them, not just milk them for what they can do for you. Try to reach out to at least one new person every week, regardless of your current work load.

Give First, Get Later

One of the best ways to network, believe it or not, is to simply offer to help someone with something without expecting anything in return. This does not mean, however, that you should ever work for free. Look for small things that you can do to make someone’s life easier. For example, when someone you follow on twitter tweets about needing to find a local mechanic, send then the information for one that you have had a good experience with in the past. Helping endears you to the other person and they will naturally want to know more about you.

Be Stingy With Your Cards

Having a brilliant business card is important. You want to be able to give people something to remember you by. There are lots of tips and tricks for designing a fantastic card. Once you have a bunch of these great business cards, your instinct is going to be to hand them out to anybody who will take them. Fight this urge! Nobody likes to have a business card foisted awkwardly upon them. Instead, wait until you sense the conversation is winding down and offer it as a way to gracefully end the conversation. “It’s been great talking to you! Here’s my card. Give me a call and let’s meet for coffee sometime!” Bonus points are awarded if you ask the person for their card in exchange for (or even in place of offering) yours.

You will get better at and more comfortable with networking. Use these tips to help build that comfort level and befor eyou know it, networking will be second nature!