17 Apr How to Network Like a Pro Without Feeling Tacky
The art of networking
The art of networking is one of those skills essential to master but hard to execute without proper practice. It can feel sleazy, self-serving, and a bit forced at times (especially for awkward people like me). But, there are a few ways for you to get over your preconceived notions and become a master at making new meaningful connections.
Quality trumps quantity
People tend to have more success at networking when they see it as an opportunity to meet, learn from, and help new people. By focusing on a few people and taking the time to get to know them, you’ll land some new genuine connections and possibly friendships.
After a hefty dose of research and practice, I came up with some stuff I’d like to share. I’m by no means a networking guru, but I’ve come to realize what this practice really boils down to.
Below I’ll lay out some helpful tips to optimize your skills, maximize your time and energy, and ensure you’re successful at expanding your network. Here it goes:
Be prepared
First of all, determine your goals for the networking session: what are you hoping to achieve from the relationships you hope to build. If you’re looking for a new job, it may be to scan future contacts from your dream employer. If you’re searching for new industry knowledge, it may be to find a skillful coach or mentor to provide guidance.
Deliberately selecting your networking objectives will help you build a question bank, craft a successful elevator pitch for your audience, and identify the type of support you might need from your connections in the future.
Also, if possible, try to identify who is likely to be at an event prior to heading out. Scope out key people you know you would like to approach and nail down your introduction and how you can add value to that person.
Think of event-specific talking points beforehand by looking up the latest trends, news, and key figures. That way, you’ll show up with some basic knowledge on the event topic and can keep up with conversations without losing legitimacy.
If it’s an international event, get some extra insights such as the attendees’ culture and norms. Having a basic understanding of global etiquette from different countries goes a long way.
The more you know your audience, the better you can put together your greeting, small talk, and smile. In need of inspiration? Here are a few conversation starters.
Take any chance to network, not only when necessary
Networking gets easier and smoother the more you practice. So take any chance you get to proactively start up a conversation with someone you don’t work with, either in person or online.
At work, use the coffee area as a chill place to meet new coworkers from different departments. At a party, scan the room for some friendly faces to break the ice with. On LinkedIn, scope out some people from similar industries to exchange knowledge.
Avoid networking only when you need something and instead opt for a friendly conversation here and there without a hidden motive. Sharing your interests and opinions with people can both help you find some cool people to learn from, as well as get your foot in the door to speak with the connections you originally aimed for — by making yourself visible.
Practice “organic networking”
No, this is not some hipster free-range strategy. It simply means focusing on getting to know a person’s interests and place in the world as your only goal for a talk, as opposed to a transactional meeting.
Showing genuine interest in a person’s life will create a stronger connection, so be a professional version of your true self and not a business robot. So listen sympathetically, keep your phone in your pocket, lean slightly forward, ask questions, and make eye contact. Plus, you get extra brownie points if you remember their name, so make sure to repeat it a few times to cement it in your brain.
Approach every conversation as an opportunity to learn, practice active listening and share thoughtful feedback when possible. This agenda-free conversation style will earn you precious points with important profiles who accustomed to brown-nosing. Also, it will surprise you how naturally the conversation will flow.
The sooner you shift your networking to this mindset, the sooner you’ll notice how fluid and easy it can be.
Add value whenever possible
When possible, make yourself available and add value to the other person before taking value or making a request.
Offering help before requesting it can be as easy as sending the person an article they might like with a personalized message, introducing them to a person that might be beneficial for their career, or hosting a small event such as a cocktail party to connect people in your network.
This is an investment that pays off over time. More and more people will see you as a person that has added value. Through small acts of kindness, you’ll build a reputation that can last a lifetime and reap rewards for years to come.
Remember to follow up
The most difficult part about networking is also following up after an interaction. Once you’ve handed out business cards and connection requests on LinkedIn (remember to send these the same evening or the following day), take some time to recall details from your conversations. Follow up with a personalized note or follow through with an action you promised.
Make sure to always thank the person for their time
Prioritize the relationship and listen carefully when your interlocutor is talking about themselves or an event, so you can ask about it later. That you remembered will go a long way.
Conclusion
Networking is about building a community of support and offering that support to others. Small acts of kindness and help today have a massive potential to reward you tomorrow.