We all have different challenges when it comes to networking. With some of us it starts with the drive there and whether or not we can find a parking space. If parking is too far away, we could choose to turn around when we are walking to the venue or if we arrive at the venue and it isn’t clear where to go this could be the point we decide to leave.
If we make it past these two hurdles, then we see no one we recognise in the room we may choose to find the cloakroom and then look for the exit.
Once in the room we may find that we know many of the people and spend the whole event in the safe space with them. Whether you are networking for your business or someone else’s, it often means stepping out of your comfort zone and the key is in preparing your mind beforehand. It is focusing on the benefits networking will give to you personally and to your business or job role.
Networking provides industry insights, increases personal confidence and opportunities so it is worth the effort. When we look up advice on how to deal with challenges we are told to look at a list of who is attending and find the people we want to speak to in the room. This isn’t as easy as it sounds as in a room of 100 people not many of us move around the room scanning people’s badges. I would advise moving to the tea station first and starting a conversation with someone you do not know there.
The key when opening a conversation at a networking event is to ask questions and listen to the answers, then having a conversation around that topic rather than immediately telling the person all about your business. Listening and being authentic often leads to genuine relationships being formed which is when the magic of networking starts to happen.
When I first started in business and advertised in newspapers they always said to me there is no point advertising for one month, you need to promote your business in this newspaper for a minimum of 6 months to build trust with the readers. Networking isn’t any different and also is not a quick fix it is a long game as with any type of promotion. To maximise the effectiveness of networking you can follow up on the contacts you make by following and engaging with their social media pages. So, if you only meet certain people once a month then you are staying on top of their mind by commenting on their content. This activity strengthens your relationship with them as it helps their socials reach a wider audience.
So, are you ready to build long term relationships to promote your business? It is worth the wait as once the trust is established the people you meet don’t just use your services for their own needs, they also recommend you to others and often actively seek clients for you.
Linda Cloke
Partner, Synergy Networking Events
