10 Steps to Successful Networking!
By Peggy Brockman
- Know what your goals are when attending specific networking groups. Once there you can decide if it is the right group for you and one you can benefit from.
- Visit as many groups as possible that spark your interest. Notice the tone and attitude of the group. Do the people sound supportive of one another? Does the leadership appear competent? Many groups will allow you to visit a couple of times before joining.
- Arrive early. It will be calmer and people will not have settled in to groups yet. You can also position yourself in a visible area to speak with people you have planned to connect with.
- To get referrals, it’s important to have a clear understanding of and be able to articulate what you do. You need to also be clear on why you do it, who you do it for, and why is it special or different from others doing the same thing.
- DO NOT hijack someone’s story! The most successful networkers are good at making other people feel important. Look people in the eye, repeat their name, listen to what they have to say, and suggest topics that are easy to discuss. NEVER discuss politics or religion!
- Just SMILE!! We sometimes forget how important this piece is. Smiling is one of the best ways to connect. It makes people feel more comfortable approaching you.
- Connecting is critical. When in a conversation, ask open-ended questions. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how versus those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. It opens up the conversation.
- Become the “go to” person. Once you become a strong resource, people will remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, names of other people, etc. This keeps you visible to them.
- Have a specific “ask” in mind – know what you want from your new connections. When you have a specific need, it makes you more memorable as they go through their week and hear other conversations. The chances of getting referrals are much higher.
- Don’t stand around the edges of the room, waiting for someone to approach you. To get the conversation started, simply walk up to a person or a group, and say, “May I join you” or “What brings you to this event?”
BONUS TIP:
HAVE FUN!! And remember that FOLLOW-UP is one of the most important things you will ever do. When you connect with someone you want to be in touch right away.
**Peggy is the author of “10 Feet From the Edge: Stuck in the Comfort Zone” available on Amazon. It will be released in Spanish later this year. She is a John Maxwell Team motivational speaker, corporate trainer and life and business coach and distributor of the Organizational Management System – OMS – assessment program. Connect with her at www.peggybrockman.com, by email [email protected] or by phone at 850-259-8356.
