Networking: the necessary evil that puts us all out of our comfort zone, but yields great rewards if done correctly. And with the start of a new year, you might have new goals that require you to brush up on your networking skills.
How can one master this “art” and use it to advance themselves professionally as well as personally?
Over my professional career I’ve been able to put into practice many tips and tricks that have proven to be successful.
Here’s how you can take your networking game to the next level:
Step 1: Go For It
Let’s face it, we’re terrified of taking the first step. Whether you’re new to the industry, trying to grow your business or promoting your personal brand, relationship building is at the forefront of what we do as humans. Face to face interaction is invaluable, and you will never get better at networking if you don’t just GO FOR IT… so, go to that event, parent meeting or business summit.
Step 2: Spark Conversations
Once at the event, don’t be “that person” who stands by themselves and stays away from people. You’re not setting yourself up for successful connections.
If you don’t know anyone, find commonalities to spark a conversation: Compliment someone’s outfit, crack a joke, or simply have the courage to approach that table and join the conversation by introducing yourself. Most people will gladly welcome you into their circle.
Step 3: Be “Elevator Ready”
At any given time, be prepared to deliver your elevator pitch. When someone asks “What do you do?”, your objective is to introduce yourself clearly, concisely and in a memorable way.
In return, ask questions and try to learn about others.
Step 4: Listen
Make sure you are actively engaged in the conversations. No one wants to talk to someone who is constantly interrupting and only talking about themselves. Practice these listening tips:
Repeat what they are saying in your head so you remember.
53 comments
Leave a commentOrder by
Newest on top Oldest on topI’ve been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like
I’ve been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.Read full commentThank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article
Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it's quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards,Read full commentGreat job for publishing such a beneficial web site. Your web log isn’t only useful but it is additi
Great job for publishing such a beneficial web site. Your web log isn’t only useful but it is additionally really creative too.Read full commentHello I am so delighted I located your blog, I really located you by mistake, while I was watching o
Hello I am so delighted I located your blog, I really located you by mistake, while I was watching on google for something else, Anyways I am here now and could just like to say thank for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining website. Please do keep up the great work.Read full commentA great content material as well as great layout. Your website deserves all of the positive feedback
A great content material as well as great layout. Your website deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting. I will be back soon for further quality contents.Read full commentI admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in th
I admire this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thank you so much.Read full commentThanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find
Thanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative. I can't wait to read lots of your posts.Read full commentThanks for the blog loaded with so many information. Stopping by your blog helped me to get what I w
Thanks for the blog loaded with so many information. Stopping by your blog helped me to get what I was looking for.Read full commentHey, this day is too much good for me, since this time I am reading this enormous informative articl
Hey, this day is too much good for me, since this time I am reading this enormous informative article here at my home. Thanks a lot for massive hard work.Read full commentPkcellpower is dedicated to selling Pkcell battery's primary lithium batteries, including LiSoCl2, L
Pkcellpower is dedicated to selling Pkcell battery's primary lithium batteries, including LiSoCl2, LiMnO2 batteries, and CR button cell batteries. If you need another type of battery, you can visit pkcell.com (Pkcell Official Site).Read full commentOnly aspire to mention ones content can be as incredible. This clarity with your post is superb and
Only aspire to mention ones content can be as incredible. This clarity with your post is superb and that i may think you’re a guru for this issue. High-quality along with your concur permit me to to seize your current give to keep modified by using approaching blog post. Thanks a lot hundreds of along with you should go on the pleasurable get the job done.Read full commentWhat a sensational blog! This blog is too much amazing in all aspects. Especially, it looks awesome
What a sensational blog! This blog is too much amazing in all aspects. Especially, it looks awesome and the content available on it is utmost qualitative. Read full commentI admire what you have done here. I like the part where you say you are doing this to give back but
I admire what you have done here. I like the part where you say you are doing this to give back but I would assume by all the comments that this is working for you as well.Read full commentHey what a brilliant post I have come across and believe me I have been searching out for this simil
Hey what a brilliant post I have come across and believe me I have been searching out for this similar kind of post for past a week and hardly came across this. Thank you very much and will look for more postings from you.Read full commentNice post! This is a very nice blog that I will definitively come back to more times this year! Than
Nice post! This is a very nice blog that I will definitively come back to more times this year! Thanks for informative post.Read full commentGreat articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been gett
Great articles and great layout. Your blog post deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting.Read full comment
Discover Exquisite Trends – your go to online store for high quality beauty accessories, baby essent
Discover Exquisite Trends – your go to online store for high quality beauty accessories, baby essentials, and pet care products Elevate your beauty routine, find trusted baby necessities, and pamper your pets with our curated selection of stylish, safe, and innovative essentialsRead full commentIn the world of www, there are countless blogs. But believe me, this blog has all the perfection tha
In the world of www, there are countless blogs. But believe me, this blog has all the perfection that makes it unique in all. I will be back again and again.Read full commentThanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find
Thanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative. I can't wait to read lots of your posts.Read full commentPositive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting? I'm pleased I discovered it
Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting? I'm pleased I discovered it though, ill be checking back soon to find out what additional posts you include.Read full commentI’m going to read this. I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. and also This article gives t
I’m going to read this. I’ll be sure to come back. thanks for sharing. and also This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. this is very nice one and gives indepth information. thanks for this nice article...Read full commentYou have a good point here!I totally agree with what you have said!!Thanks for sharing your views...
You have a good point here!I totally agree with what you have said!!Thanks for sharing your views...hope more people will read this article!!!Read full commentI really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to understand. Unlike other blo
I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to understand. Unlike other blogs I have read which are really not that good.Thanks alot!Read full commentYour work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you f
Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts. Thank you for sharing great information to us.Read full commentI recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comme
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.Read full commentThis is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing bl
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free.Read full commentYour blog has chock-a-block of useful information. I liked your blog's content as well as its look.
Your blog has chock-a-block of useful information. I liked your blog's content as well as its look. In my opinion, this is a perfect blog in all aspects.Read full commentThanks for a wonderful share. Your article has proved your hard work and experience you have got in
Thanks for a wonderful share. Your article has proved your hard work and experience you have got in this field. Brilliant .i love it reading.Read full commentfrom Fri Nov 01 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Super convenient! 🚗 Cash for Scrap Cars came right to my place in Burnaby and took away my o
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Super convenient! 🚗 Cash for Scrap Cars came right to my place in Burnaby and took away my old Toyota Camry with zero hassle. I had no idea getting cash for a junk car could be this easy. They handled all the recycling, so I felt good about my choice. The car was picked up, taken away, and my driveway is finally clear!"
"Easy cash for my junk car! 💰 My ancient Honda Accord had been sitting in my driveway in Surrey for months. Cash for Scrap Cars made it so simple—they arrived on time, paid me in cash, and removed it right then and there. Plus, they recycle responsibly, which I really appreciated. If you’re in Metro Vancouver, they’re the best!"Read full comment
from Fri Nov 01 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Best Moving Experience from Burnaby Lake to Capitol Hill!" Moving from Burnaby Lake to Capito
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Best Moving Experience from Burnaby Lake to Capitol Hill!"
Moving from Burnaby Lake to Capitol Hill was a breeze with 1 PRO Moving Company! They handled everything from fragile kitchenware to heavy furniture, making sure each item was carefully packed and transported. I felt so taken care of! 🏞️📦
They knew all the best routes to navigate Burnaby and made moving day feel like a mini adventure. The whole team was friendly, and I couldn’t have asked for a smoother move. Thank you, 1 PRO Moving Company—you’re the best! 😊🚚Read full comment
Awesome article, it was exceptionally helpful! I simply began in this and I'm becoming more acquaint
Awesome article, it was exceptionally helpful! I simply began in this and I'm becoming more acquainted with it better! Cheers, keep doing awesome!Read full commentThank you for some other informative website. The place else may just I get that kind of information
Thank you for some other informative website. The place else may just I get that kind of information written in such a perfect method? I have a venture that I am simply now running on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such info.Read full commentA very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approach
A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post.Read full commentPaneelradiatoren in allematen en vermogensvoorefficiëntehuisverwarming. Ontdek ons uitgebreideassort
Paneelradiatoren in allematen en vermogensvoorefficiëntehuisverwarming. Ontdek ons uitgebreideassortimenthoogwaardigeradiatoren.Read full commentIn the world of www, there are countless blogs. But believe me, this blog has all the perfection tha
In the world of www, there are countless blogs. But believe me, this blog has all the perfection that makes it unique in all. I will be back again and again.Read full commentPretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed readin
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info.Read full commentVery interesting blog. Alot of blogs I see these days don't really provide anything that I'm interes
Very interesting blog. Alot of blogs I see these days don't really provide anything that I'm interested in, but I'm most definately interested in this one. Just thought that I would post and let you know.Read full commentThis is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing bl
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value. Im glad to have found this post as its such an interesting one! I am always on the lookout for quality posts and articles so i suppose im lucky to have found this! I hope you will be adding more in the future...Read full commentThat is the excellent mindset, nonetheless is just not help to make every sence whatsoever preaching
That is the excellent mindset, nonetheless is just not help to make every sence whatsoever preaching about that mather. Virtually any method many thanks in addition to i had endeavor to promote your own article in to delicius nevertheless it is apparently a dilemma using your information sites can you please recheck the idea. thanks once more.Read full commenthello!! Very interesting discussion glad that I came across such informative post. Keep up the good
hello!! Very interesting discussion glad that I came across such informative post. Keep up the good work friend. Glad to be part of your net community.Read full comment