It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Ever heard that one before? Well, in today’s ever increasingly competitive business environment, that little axiom has never been truer than it is right now. Having a solid professional network can help you land a job, get a promotion or garner new clients for your business.
But how exactly are you supposed to build this network? Glad you asked. Here are four tips to get you on your way to having the connections you need to be more successful.
Step One: Put Yourself Out There
In order to connect, you first have to get up, get out and meet people. Make it a point to seek out events where you have the potential to meet other professionals in your industry. You may hear about these around the office or you can seek them out yourself on the internet.
If you’re having trouble finding events, go to MeetUp.com; more often than not there is going to be a group in your industry, or at the very least one closely related, that regularly “meets up” in your area.
Also, keep in mind that opportunities to network will present themselves all the time, sometimes when you least expect them. Cocktail parties, PTA meetings, any place even semi-social, you never know where or when you’re going to stumble upon a potential business connection. Be prepared. Always have a business card with you and don’t be shy about handing them out.
Finally, take opportunities to cultivate deeper relationships with the people already around you. If you’re inclined, turn a co-worker into a friend. They will have connections of their own they may share with you and you never know when they may move up the ladder or move on to a new job, where even more connections are just waiting one degree away.
Step Two: Market Yourself
Okay, now you’ve surrounded yourself with the right people. What now? Well, sell yourself! But don’t get it wrong; we’re not talking about selling yourself by telling people how great you are and why they need to know you. Instead, connect with people on a personal level first, and then, if the opportunity naturally arises, work some of your strengths into the conversation.
When you start a conversation, show a genuine interest in the person you’re connecting with. People, including you, love to talk about themselves. Resist the temptation to keep bringing the conversation back around to you and instead ask questions and encourage others to talk about themselves. You may be amazed how just a few leading questions and attentive listening leaves the other person walking away thinking what an amazing conversationalist you are!
Now, after you’ve got them talking, make sure to pay attention and remember what they said. Make an effort to get at least one piece of information about each new person you meet and discretely jot it down on the back of the business card they most likely just gave you; as you’ll see in a minute, this will come in handy later. And if they didn’t give you a card, don’t be shy about asking for one; they may have simply forgotten or may have even been a little shy.
Step Three: Pay It Forward
Okay, so you’re starting to lay the foundation for your network; now is the time to cultivate it and make it flourish. Three words: pay it forward. If you think you’ve met someone who could do something for you, look for an opportunity to do something for them without them having to ask.
Don’t do this with the expectation that they will necessarily do something for you right away or somehow owe you something. There’s no need for that. Just by extending the olive branch and being helpful when you can, these people will most likely want to do something for you soon enough or think of you first when an opportunity you may be interested in arises.
And, after an appropriate amount of time has passed, if you do find yourself needing to ask for a favor, it will be much easier to approach someone you’ve already given unsolicited help to. Nine times out of ten, that person is going to be much more receptive and willing to go out of their way for you, the kind hearted person who gives help without asking for anything in return.
Step Four: Stay in Touch
Now that you’ve cultivated some new, awesome connections, make sure you keep in touch and don’t let them grow stale. The next time you find yourself with a little time to kill, instead of playing a game on your phone or checking your e-mail for the umpteenth time that day, follow up with someone you’ve met recently or haven’t connected with in a while.
If you want to keep in touch, but don’t have a really good reason to connect, this is where that little bit of information you wrote on the back of their business card can pay some dividends. If you know they were working on an important project, send them a message saying how nice it was to meet them and inquire about how said project is going. That personal touch will show them that you were paying attention and are genuinely interested in them.
Or, if you know they have a level of expertise relevant to you, connect and politely ask for some advice on a particular point. Rather than see this as burden, most people will be appreciative that you respect them and value their opinion enough to reach out for help. This can be a great way to start a conversation and reinforce the connection you’ve already made.
Creating a business network is about creating relationships that are mutually beneficial. By using these four steps, you’ll can be on your way to having a solid, substantial network that can serve you and your connections well for years to come. All that’s left to do is get out there and make it happen!
