We can all agree that the first thing that comes to mind with the word networking is dread and feeling uneasy. Networking to me felt super unnatural and uncomfortable so I avoided it. I didn’t have a good network post-college because I didn’t dedicate the time to build it. I learned later on in my professional career how important it is to have a strong network behind you. People who have strong networks land those coveted job offers. Today there are only two constants with your career: your network and your personal brand.
You may be wondering what are the benefits of a strong network.
1. Social Proof—people work with people they know, like trust.
2. New Opportunities—opens doors personally and professionally.
3. Personal Google—can be an amazing source of knowledge and advice.
4. Personal Recommendation Engine—you can find out about jobs, products, services and opportunities through your peers.
Why do we need to invest in building our network? We spend tens of thousands of dollars on our education but little-to-none on strategically building our network. It’s important for others to know the value we provide, the skills and the gifts we can share to solve problems. Also, this is fairly straightforward but every opportunity is attached to another person. I like to compare networking to a stock market because value compounds over time.
Here’s a fool proof 3-step networking with a purpose process which will help you navigate the world of networking:
1. Learn what you truly want and how your network can get you there. Identify your goals, your audience and build your brand. Your personal brand is how you are perceived by others—your friends, colleagues, and the public. It is what people think about when they hear your name and what people say about you when you are not in the room. Your personal brand is everything you do in your career or business whether in person or online. And with the distinction between our personal and professional lives becoming increasingly blurred, it’s also becoming what you do in life as a whole.
2. Connect with people to create new career and business opportunities. Lead with value, inspire with passion and be yourself. Part of this is preparing your elevator pitch. This should incorporate who you are, what you do or want to do, what value you bring to the table, and evidence. Communicate what you have to offer in a compelling way.
3. Grow your network for continued professional development and career growth. Create a game plan, manufacture serendipity and be visible. Creating a game plan means finding your audience. Do your homework and figure out where your target contacts spend time, both online and offline, what events and conferences do they attend, what blogs or websites do they read, who else interacts with them. Find out about relevant events through meetup, Eventbrite, Linkedin, blogs and newsletters and google. Before events do some research prior and figure out if there will be quality people for you to meet there. Reach out to an attendee or speaker prior to the event and ask them to meet you at the event. Show up early. During the event: be proactive at striking up conversations. Everyone else is at the event to meet people too. Be the bold one and start a conversation. Listen and ask open ended questions. Have a good “elevator pitch” prepared and share it.
I hope this helps you overcome your networking fears. Please leave your comments, ideas, suggestions. Happy Networking!
You may be wondering what are the benefits of a strong network.
1. Social Proof—people work with people they know, like trust.
2. New Opportunities—opens doors personally and professionally.
3. Personal Google—can be an amazing source of knowledge and advice.
4. Personal Recommendation Engine—you can find out about jobs, products, services and opportunities through your peers.
Why do we need to invest in building our network? We spend tens of thousands of dollars on our education but little-to-none on strategically building our network. It’s important for others to know the value we provide, the skills and the gifts we can share to solve problems. Also, this is fairly straightforward but every opportunity is attached to another person. I like to compare networking to a stock market because value compounds over time.
Here’s a fool proof 3-step networking with a purpose process which will help you navigate the world of networking:
1. Learn what you truly want and how your network can get you there. Identify your goals, your audience and build your brand. Your personal brand is how you are perceived by others—your friends, colleagues, and the public. It is what people think about when they hear your name and what people say about you when you are not in the room. Your personal brand is everything you do in your career or business whether in person or online. And with the distinction between our personal and professional lives becoming increasingly blurred, it’s also becoming what you do in life as a whole.
2. Connect with people to create new career and business opportunities. Lead with value, inspire with passion and be yourself. Part of this is preparing your elevator pitch. This should incorporate who you are, what you do or want to do, what value you bring to the table, and evidence. Communicate what you have to offer in a compelling way.
3. Grow your network for continued professional development and career growth. Create a game plan, manufacture serendipity and be visible. Creating a game plan means finding your audience. Do your homework and figure out where your target contacts spend time, both online and offline, what events and conferences do they attend, what blogs or websites do they read, who else interacts with them. Find out about relevant events through meetup, Eventbrite, Linkedin, blogs and newsletters and google. Before events do some research prior and figure out if there will be quality people for you to meet there. Reach out to an attendee or speaker prior to the event and ask them to meet you at the event. Show up early. During the event: be proactive at striking up conversations. Everyone else is at the event to meet people too. Be the bold one and start a conversation. Listen and ask open ended questions. Have a good “elevator pitch” prepared and share it.
I hope this helps you overcome your networking fears. Please leave your comments, ideas, suggestions. Happy Networking!
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