Thursday, April 25th, 2024
Humans are a social bunch. It’s one of the primary reasons on how we as a species, has been able to exist and advance in the civilized world we live in. It’s because of our ability to communicate thoughts, which turns into action. So what we’ll conscientiously do is network with others, this on a daily basis, to relay and learn information.
To network, to mingle, this socially and especially for business. What networking does is allows us to communicate with others, this socially to make new friends, or to make new contacts for business, which is the key to success.
What every human needs to do to expand their horizons, is to connect with others.
9. Social Media
Social media has become an extremely important tool, this for networking, either socially or for business. Specifically, Facebook and LinkedIn.
What these platforms will give you is the opportunity to be at your “stalking” best, this for good purposes, as there’s a myriad of information that you can learn. Anyone who is someone is on social media, for the world to see.
So first of all, you need to present yourself well on social media yourself, as others will be “checking” you out as well, so display your best side. Those constant posts of pictures of your cat, what you ate for dinner, or what you did last Friday, isn’t a great idea.
If you’re wanting to be known as a respectable professional, then you need to present yourself that way. What everyone will now do, such as potential employers, new friends or romantic interests, is check you out on these platforms, so post wisely!
8. Know Your Strengths And Weaknesses
Networking itself is a learned skill, so the key becomes to know yourself. Know where you shine, what your deficits are, how you come across. Being perfectly at ease only comes naturally to just a select number of people.
For the remainder of us, it’s a constant work in progress. Most of us needs to work on our behavior, our personality, our style, this to be as attractive and presentable as possible.
There are some who comes across as rude, narcissistic, forgetful with names, talks about themselves too much, eats or drinks too excess. You need to know who you are, how you come across, and focus on your strong points. When it comes to networking, others will judge you on their first impression.
7. Research Do Your Homework
The Internet is the greatest invention by man for doing research, as it reveals all, good or bad. So what it offers is the opportunity for you to precisely do your homework, this by reading up on rising companies or individuals, this in respect to your industry or profession.
Knowledge is power, if you’re wanting to network and connect with them. What doing research does is plays a key role, this in respect to learning anything you need to learn about others, or the world around you. What doing your homework does is makes you prepared, this especially when it comes to networking. Being well informed, just elevates your awareness.
6. Attend Conferences And Seminars
Make it a point to attend all the important seminars, conferences, webinars and social functions where there’s an opportunity to network. So clear your schedule, and make it a priority to attend these functions.
This is where like minded people meet in your industry so go meet them, this to increase your circle of contacts. Make attending these meetings mandatory.
So get out your planner and pencil in all the important functions and events that you need to attend, and don’t waver by cancelling them. Also identify the crowd and the people who you want to meet at these events, and introduce yourself by coming across the best you can.
5. Be Polite And Gracious
A smile with a good attitude goes a long way, as what you’re displaying is your aptitude and personality. When it comes to networking, refining your social skills includes being polite while listening, since mingling is a two way street.
The danger becomes, if someone you want to connect with, doesn’t like you, then that’s a lost opportunity, as first impressions count. So be as pleasant as possible.
If you have no idea what someone’s talking about, or you don’t agree with them, they’re boring or egotistical, or you yourself don’t really like them that much, just hang in there.
Just continue to smile and nod, as you’re not in a position to upset them, especially if they’re potential clients or employers.
4. Be Friendly And Open
Since attending business or social events is critical to networking, and meeting new people, you need to be at your best, this to meet and connect with them.
It becomes important that you present yourself well, and be likable, as meeting people can be an uncomfortable process for both parties. To grab their attention, dress for the occasion, develop a gift of the gab, and be charming.
What presenting yourself well while showing your personality does, is elevates your qualities, by being someone that others are attracted to, and want to meet. What being personable will do is open doors in business and social situations.
3. Keep Track Of People
Networking is hard work, as we meet a variety of people throughout our lives. So once you meet someone who you want to reconnect with, this either through a business function or a social event, make sure you get their information, and store it properly for later retrieval.
Make sure you collect business cards or phone numbers, and store them properly. Write down specific characteristics about that person, this to remind you who they are, or what they look like.
Because of modern technology, the tracking of this contact information has become a lot easier. Organization is a task you need to perfect.
2. Constantly Make New Contacts
Some make new friends easily. Friends are people who are similar to you, who you want to hang out with socially. This could be from the workplace, the fitness club, anywhere there’s like minded people.
Since our jobs are becoming increasingly transient, it becomes important to network with these people, this to keep the channels of opportunity open.
As we grow older however, it becomes increasingly difficult to make or keep these contacts, as we all become hardened and singular in our ways. People move on, and have their own lives to live. So never stop building a strong network of people, and connect with them just to keep in contact.
1. Keep In Contact With Schoolmates
These are the people you know the best, as you grew up with them. So however old or successful you are in life, your best contacts remain those who you went to school or college with. They’re the lifelong friends that you know on a personal basis, this through thick and thin.
These are people from elementary school, who you shared all the growing pains with while growing up and flourishing into adults, while readying yourselves for the real world. Connect and keep in contact with these people.
Make sure that you attend all the alumni functions, while meeting them a few times a year over coffee. Keep up with them on Facebook or Linkedin, as they’re the best to network with.
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