A New Way To Think About Networking That Actually Works

It’s easy enough for most women to be friendly and helpful with people we meet for the first time in a social setting … but when we are confronted with doing the same in a business-like setting, it’s unnerving and it makes us feel uncomfortable.

So, let’s be honest for a moment. In the beginning, face-to-face networking and deliberately going out to meet new people (peers, clients, colleagues etc. ) is tough…. perhaps because we associate it with “hard labor”…  (You know…net-“working”) …..and because it sounds like a “business activity” it’s easy to think that we need to act in a different way than when we meet people socially.

But, what if you can change your mindset about networking?

What if networking is not about what you can get out of it (new clients, more sales, higher income etc.) but about what you can offer to others (help, assistance, information, friendship etc.).

 

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This might seem strange at first, but there’s a very powerful saying telling us “What you sow, you will reap”.

So, when you do networking with the mindset of helping someone by simply sharing your knowledge, listening to others, connecting people, giving referrals etc. etc. you will become a powerful resource for other people. You will not only gain business trust and credibility – which by the way is the basis of any long-lasting and profitable networking relationship – but also reap the benefits from forming powerful business relationships that in the end will benefit your business.

 

In this new way of networking, set the intention to…

• Just be you
• Meet interesting people and helping others. This totally changes the dynamic and makes is so much easier. It will also boost your sense of purpose and self-worth and lift that overwhelming pressure of getting a new client.
• Create value for others. You do that by being genuinely interested in what people are doing. Listen to what they say and then offer friendly and helpful suggestions when you can. The more value you create, the more it will come back to you many times over.
• Understand their needs and what’s important to them first, before you tell them about yours.
• Build mutually beneficial relationships. Even when you may not directly be able to help the person you meet, you may know someone else within your current network who might. And vice versa, they might not be able to help you directly, but they may introduce or recommend you to people who might be able to help or become a client.
• Be a connector. Network with people on different levels and in different industries. Growing your network outside of your industry will make you more valuable to people in your immediate industry. With a broad network you can be the person that connects people across industries.

Before you know it, you’ll find yourself having a good time, developing strong relationships and attracting loads of referrals and new clients.

 

Some Practical Tips

1. When you meet someone, repeat her name, e.g. “Pleased to meet you, Jane”. This will reinforce her name into your subconscious and help you remember it better.
2. Appear Confident- even if it feels you are falling to pieces. Don’t stand around the edges of the room, waiting for someone to approach you. Purposely walk towards a person or a group that has already formed and ask: “May I join you?” The answer will always be yes.
3. Smile. By smiling you become more approachable, warm and inviting to others. A genuine smile will also put your nerves at ease.
4. Wear an outfit that is comfortable and makes you feel confident.
5. Prepare and practice a 30s introduction for when people ask you what you do. Your 30s intro is just a short snapshot about you and what you do. Try to include a major benefit of how you help your clients (e.g. I’m Francis van Wyk. I’m a marketing mentor and I help women entrepreneurs to get more clients). Keep your 30s intro simple, natural and in plain English. Your goal is for anyone to understand and connect with what you’re saying…. and when your 30s intro hits home, they’ll immediately respond with something like “Wow, I need to speak to you…” 🙂
6. Prepare a couple open ended questions that gets people to talk about their business. The truth is, people love to talk about themselves and what they do. When you ask the questions and then listen carefully, you can learn a lot from the answers and also identify more opportunities to be of help.
7. Never, ever scan the room while talking to someone. It is just plain rude.
8. Rather make good eye contact and have sincere conversations.
9. Never fill both hands with a snack plate AND a drink. Have at least one hand free for greeting people and/or accepting a business card.
10. Mingle and move around. It doesn’t help to chat only with people you know or with only one person for the entire event. Approach people who you don’t know and start a conversation. (Trust me, it gets easier.)
11. Have your business cards within easy reach when someone asks you for one.
12. Use the cards of the people you meet to write down something interesting about this person or something about the conversation you want to remember. You can mention that in your follow up.
13. Make it a point to follow up, but be strategic in how you do it. Think about what benefit you can bring to them and always ask what will be the best way to stay in touch – whether it be email, phone or via social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

 

Here’s what I hope you take from this article:

Networking is great for business. It’s doable and it becomes easier the more you do it. PLUS, when you enter the room with the intention to help, it reduces the pressure and you’ll often be amazed at the quality of the conversations and the quality of business relationships you can create. You can do it!

Happy Networking!!

 

 

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