Networking is a part of being a business owner or professional which can have a huge impact on your career and it can make or break your working relationships.
Being able to network with the public, with workers and with those in your industry is something which is super important for you to do and it is also something which you can benefit from for your personal and professional development. Today we are going to take a look at some of the ways that you can nail networking and be the best you can be this year.
Talk to experts
When networking in the professional world it is important for you to think about ways in which you can gain inspiration and advice to grow your own skills. One of the ways you can do this is to reach out to a professional who has been in the field for a long time such as Cynthia Telles and ask them what they feel is the best part of the role, what kind of things they do and how to get to their stage in your career. Talking to an expert can make a huge difference and it will allow you to really make a difference to your own career.
Listen
If you want to make a good impression on the people you network with, it is incredibly important for you to listen to your gut and also make sure to listen to everyone who speaks to you. Being a good listener is a wonderful skill because it will allow you to get to know someone much better and this will make a whole lot of different to the relationships you can build in the workplace.
Be positive
Positivity breeds positivity and if you have a smile on your face and a good attitude you can do anything. It is always a good idea for you to be positive to those you speak to and it is something which will make a world of difference to you and the way you are able to make friends and collaborations.
Write things down
One of the things which is important for you to do to look and feel professional when in a meeting with a client or another professional is to write things down. Always make sure that you take notes on the meeting and show that you are genuinely interested in them and their process. Writing things down is also useful because you won’t forget important details later and it will ensure that you are able to draw on experiences and conversations you have had in the future.
Set up meetings
When heading to a trade show or an event, one of the things you can do which can be helpful for you is to set up a meeting with clients ahead of time. This will ensure that you network with people you already know and you can also choose to meet with new people for the first time face to face. This will ensure that a trip to a trade show is never wasted and it is taken in the best possible way.
Collaborate
Collaboration is so important when it comes to working in a business and if you want to make some great professional friends for the future, a collaboration project is a great idea. Find someone in the same or similar industry to you and come up with an idea for a product or a service together. This will make all the difference to you and it will allow you to gain networking experience with new clients from their audience as well as build a stronger bond with those you collaborate with.
Follow up
Whenever you have a meeting with someone whether it be a phone call or a face to face meeting, it is always important to follow up with it afterwards. The best way to follow up is a simple email which says thank you or meeting and expresses your wish to keep it touch and speak more frequently. People like to be valued and by showing a customer or a client that you enjoyed your meeting together, it will make them feel valued and they will be more likely to come back to you rather than someone else.
Be approachable
Above all else make sure that you are someone who is easy to get along with and always be available for a quick chat! Being someone who so easy to approach is the best way to make friends and connections in the world.
