Networking at its Best January 13, 2015My CareerOff

Networking has mainly been confined to LinkedIn and other forms of social media. But, there is no replacement for good old fashioned face to face meetings. Networking comes in many different forms. You don’t have to ignore social media. On the contrary, you can ensure that you are meeting new clients and other business leaders via social media. But, the next step should always be to meet with them. Whether it’s for an informal coffee or something a little more formal, 2015 is all about networking and meeting the right people.

You don’t have to spend hours away from your business to ensure that you are networking. Even setting aside one day per month to meet with the right people can ensure that your enterprise is thriving in the next year. Now, it’s time to start unleashing your potential. Business growth can be achieved through meeting with the right people, in the right place.

There are a plethora of reasons that you may be networking. You may be looking at jumping ship and joining another company. You may want to expand your business. You may want to land new clients. You could use networking as a form of lead generation. Whatever you are using networking for, you need to ensure that it is successful. After all, this is the key to ensuring that you are ahead of the competition.

Networking can be difficult to master. You don’t need to have a wealth of connections in the first instance. Rather, you can build on these by just knowing one key person. Yes, networking can be difficult. You may feel awkward at first. But, it doesn’t have to be a complicated process. You can ensure that this is a smooth, successful venture for all parties involved.

Combating Awkwardness
When it comes to meeting someone for the first time, you may feel nervous. The initial meeting can feel somewhat awkward. But, you need to exude confidence. The key is to plan. Ensure that you have a list of questions that you want to ask. Make sure that you provide the perfect opportunity for others to ask you questions. Now is the time to connect with people that matter. You need to ensure that you are introducing yourself and getting to business. Whether it’s the initial meeting or a succession of meetings, you can make sure that you are in an excellent place to start connecting with people that can help you. After all, your contact wouldn’t agree to meet with you if they didn’t think it was mutually beneficial. Now is the time to unleash your inner confidence and combat your nerves.

Clearly Communicate Your Intentions
One of the best ways that you can make sure that your networking venture is a success is to clearly communicate your intentions. Should you fail to do this, this could end up as a disaster. If you are pitching for work, then make this clear. If you are meeting people because you like their business model, and you want to learn from them, tell them this. You need to ensure that you are nurturing a positive working relationship. With this in mind, you need to make sure that you are making your intentions clear. That way, your networking contact has a choice to opt out if it’s not for them. While the decision to drop out can be disheartening, think about this logically. If they are not interested, you can focus on those that are. Don’t waste your time on people who are disinterested. It’s time to network with those who are on top of their game and can provide a mutually beneficial working relationship.

Think About Where You Will Meet
The initial meeting should always be informal. Opt for a coffee house or something similar. If you are progressing with a client or business professional, opt for a more professional setting. Take a look at mwbex.com for more information on this.

Making Time Count
We all have busy lives. So, you need to make sure that you are making time count. Professionally, many of us are bogged down. So, even if you can only grab a quick 15 minutes, seize the opportunity to do so. People will appreciate that you have come out of your way, even for a brief meet and greet. This can put your business on the right lines and ensure that you are working upon a positive rapport with your new contact.

But, if you do only have a brief encounter with your contact, make it count. Research their position, company and why you want to be connected with them on a professional level. Be prepared and research and ensure that you have a plethora of questions with you. Don’t make them work for your information. This can be off-putting when time is of the essence.

Put in the Bulk of the Leg Work
One of the most important things that you can do is to ensure that you are making it easy for those around you. At an introductory meeting, ensure that you send an introductory email prior to the meet. Outline key questions, information and data. You can even copy and paste people into company and business emails so that they can get a broader scope of what you do. This is vital if you want your networking meeting to be a success. After all, if you are willing to do the legwork to begin with, this will ensure that the introduction happens more quickly.

Follow Up
One of the most essential things that you can do is follow up on a meeting. If you have met with a new contact, send them an email post-meeting. The power of the follow-up email cannot be stressed enough. In today’s digital age, there is no excuse for not following up on an email. This can be to say thank you, or it can be used as a gentle reminder that you are still around. Following the introduction of your new client, you need to nurture this professional relationship.

Photo by Racorn | Shutterstock

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