5 Tips for Effective Networking
At SheCAN!, our primary goal is to enable personal and professional growth while having fun and encouraging community support behind it all. Our membership is skyrocketing because now more than ever, women want to reap the benefits that come with a growth mindset and a supportive community.
If you have been to any of our events, you’ll understand why our members are raving fans. Personally, I love our events because I can connect with other people who have a shared interest or skill, and I get to flex my networking muscle. If I have a successful networking evening, you may find a new customer, friend, or even mentor.
The problem is that networking doesn’t stop after you’ve left the event and must never have an expiration date. I’ve met some wonderful people who, years later, I finally have a chance to do business together. You never know whom you’re going to meet or the impact they’ll have on your life immediately.
While I was formally taught how to network in the past, I do think that networking is both an art and science. The art side of it only gets better with practice. Here are my five go-to strategies for successful networking.
Every meeting is an opportunity.
Make time for them regularly, and do not pass up every networking opportunity because you are too busy.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, networking effectively takes time. None of us have extra time to spare, but the reality is that the larger your network is, the more opportunity you have for support when you need it. Think about it, when you are looking for a job, the first people you will call will be in the network, and if you can make 100 calls to someone who cares versus ten, you have a ten times greater chance of accomplishing your goal of new job leads. And when possible, meet in person, even for 20 minutes, adds personality to the overall conversation.
Partner for mutual benefit
I never approach a meeting thinking solely about myself or how the person can help me. I am focused on how we can mutually benefit and how I might add value to an individual's goals or challenges. When you can truly help someone and reciprocate, it is truly rewarding and utterly worthwhile.
Go outside of your industry
It is easy and comfortable to network with people who are a lot like you or work in your professional space. But if you want to grow, look for some diversity in your networking. The best nuggets are usually from exchanges you have outside of your customary network.
The science is in the numbers.
The more people you network with, the greater number of opportunities for real connection. Every week I allot 5-10 hours to network with people I have casual relationships with or new contacts. You will not connect with everyone but the more significant personal resources you put into it, the better the outcome.
Do the prework.
Be prepared to learn about your contacts and know your elevator pitch, and ask in advance. Be prepared to make a positive impression and walk away with a few meaningful connections.
Preparation is essential to the success of networking. Spend a few minutes getting to know your contact in advance (LinkedIn and social media are perfect for this). If you want to have a meaningful connection, practice your elevator pitch and know what you want to accomplish in the meeting. I usually take a straightforward approach and ask for help with XYZ or how they might help you, and ALWAYS ask how you can help them.
Say "Thank you." Make the effort.
If someone takes time in their day for you, thank them. It doesn’t have to be formal. It can be a quick follow-up email it shows interest. I am trying to get back to old-fashioned thank you notes in snail mail. I love getting them, and I am sure there are many people like me out there.
When it comes to networking, most people tend to say, "I am too busy." In reality, can anyone of us afford not to network?
ABOUT PEGGY
Peggy Sullivan is a women’s leadership speaker, mindset expert, and founder of the nonprofit organization, SheCAN!. She is also the author of the book, “Happiness is Your Responsibility”. Peggy is a strong advocate of empowering women to succeed through supporting each other. She has won numerous awards and honors, including the 2019 Woman in Leadership Award from New York State. She has presented and consulted worldwide for organizations such as Bank of America, Blue Cross BlueShield, Ingram Micro, and WomanUp Conferences. You can connect with Peggy on Instagram and LinkedIn, and purchase “Happiness is Your Responsibility” in Fall 2021 on Peggy’s website.