Stepping into a group of strangers and attempting to make professional connections can be terrifying. Whether you are a fresh graduate finding your first job, an entrepreneur looking to network for the launch of your business, or a professional attempting to switch industries, the thought of business networking evokes images of fake small talk and hard-sell pitches.
Essential business networking tips for beginners, however, focus on the creation of professional relationships that are mutually beneficial over time, as opposed to an immediate sale or job offer.
When the concept of business networking is reframed as friendship-building, knowledge-sharing, and support circles, the intimidation factor is eliminated. Below are seven easy ways to get started in the world of business networking.
- Think Give Value, Not What’s In It for MeThe worst way to approach business networking is to adopt a transactional approach. The mindset of most beginners is to think of ways they can immediately reap rewards from the meet-up. To beat the transactional approach altogether, try thinking of ways you can add value to other people in the room.
Give them quality time. If they ask for a referral, do so. Offer your professional help if they ever get stuck with a problem within your expertise.
People tend to remember those that have helped them long after the initial interaction. The next time you need favors, they will most likely be willing to return the favor.
- Learn How to Listen (80/20)One of the common mistakes that beginners make when networking is to think they have to talk about themselves the whole time to sound impressive. In truth, successful networkers are people that know how to listen more than talk.
A good rule of thumb is to try to speak 80% less than you listen.
Instead of asking yes or no questions, learn how to ask interesting questions such as:
- What got you here?
- What is the biggest challenge your company is currently facing?
- What is your biggest priority for the quarter?
Show appreciation by constantly nodding and maintaining comfortable eye contact throughout the conversation. People love talking about their work, so giving them space to talk about what they love is always a good way to make a good first impression. Chances are, they will always fondly remember you for letting them do that.
- Prepare a Simple Elevator PitchIf someone asks you what you do during a networking event, running away or giving a five-minute speech is never a good idea. A simple elevator pitch is a thirty-second summary of who you are and what you do. Think of it as a soft sell.
When creating your elevator pitch, try to focus on the impact you create instead of hard-selling your products and services.
Avoid transactional language and steer clear of aggressive sales approaches. Focus on benefits and make the conversation interesting.
- Do Your Prep WorkNothing makes someone look more unprepared in the eyes of their peers than walking into an event blind. Set goals for yourself before going to any meet-up. Decide what you want to achieve in the next ninety days.
For example, if it’s your first ever meet-up, your aim may be to meet two new people in your niche.
Make sure your LinkedIn page is up to date and decent before the day of the event because chances are, people will stalk you on social media after meeting you.
If the event has a list of attendees or speakers in advance, do a little research on a couple of people you would love to connect with and learn a thing or two about what they are all about.
- Be Brave and MixIt’s human nature to always gravitate toward the nearest safe space. That could either be the snack bar, next available phone booth, or the only familiar face in the room: your co-worker. While it’s understandable to feel safe around familiar people, it’s essential to get out of your comfort zone and mingle.
When mixing with strangers, the best strategy is to use the open-circle rule.
When seeing a group of people chatting, it’s always a good idea to look out for an imaginary ‘V-shaped’ gap in the circle where you can comfortably slide into the conversation. After a couple of minutes of listening, introduce yourself and join the conversation.
If you accidentally stumble into a small talk about the weather, ask deeper questions about what they are currently working on to change the pace of the conversation.
- Follow Up Within 48 HoursThe hardest part about business networking is always following up. One of the best ways to ensure you always follow up is to collect business cards from everyone you meet. Following up is vital for several reasons.
First and foremost, it’s the best way to solidify a long-term relationship with your new contacts. You can never build a sustainable business connection by exchanging business cards and disappearing into thin air.
The second reason is simple: people forget quickly. They will rarely remember who you are and what conversation you had if you don’t jog their memory within forty-eight hours of meeting. Always send a brief, personalized email within this timeframe.
A good way to remind them of your conversation is to reference a joke you both shared or a unique observation you made during the conversation.
Finally, make sure to ask them out for a coffee or a virtual chat to discuss how you can help each other.
- Keep It GoingBusiness networking is not a one-day affair. It’s a lifestyle that requires patience. Building a sustainable business community always takes time.
The best way to keep it going is to attend events and meetups within your niche. Doing so regularly will enable you to see familiar faces that are willing to help you when you need assistance.
Conclusion
Knowing the essential business networking tips for beginners will always make the whole process of connecting with new people enjoyable and stress-free. By focusing on the provision of value, practicing active listening, preparing smart elevator pitches, and following up appropriately, you can rest assured that the whole process of business development will begin to make more sense to you with time.