Ah, networking – the business buzzword that can make even the most confident professionals cringe. We’ve all experienced that awkward moment when we find ourselves at an event, surrounded by strangers and contemplating the virtues of blending into the background.
However, networking events can be your secret weapon, offering high rewards with minimal risk. At worst you may lose just a couple of hours, but at best, you could forge a connection that changes the course of your life. Here are four simple tricks to maximise your upside at your next networking event:
1 Be in the arena
First and foremost, you have to be where the action is. If you’re eyeing a career opportunity or a potential client, put yourself in the same room as the decision-makers. Thanks to the digital age, this has never been easier. LinkedIn in particular is a game-changer for identifying relevant events and performing reconnaissance on attendees for areas to connect. Remember, if someone shared something personal on social media, they definitely want you to know about it and would probably be keen to chat further about that topic. Use that as an ice-breaker – you can even reference their original LinkedIn post – to initiate conversations with high-stakes decision-makers. They’ll be happy you noticed, too.
2 Don’t pitch anything − listen first, listen hard
One common networking pitfall I’ve fallen prey to myself is going in with the mindset of pitching your ideas or services right away. Instead, flip the script and adopt the role of an attentive listener – to everyone. People love to talk about themselves, their challenges and interests. Give them that platform. By actively listening, you can unearth their pain points, what they really care about and their goals – absolutely free! This knowledge becomes your secret weapon as you’ll discover valuable insights that can help you identify common ground and opportunities to add value to their world. Find ways to be genuinely helpful, and you’ll stand out in the crowd.
3 Make it easy to follow up
When you give out a business card, nine times out of ten you’re just politely asking the recipient to throw it away on your behalf. To ensure your connections extend beyond a single event, you must reduce the friction of follow-up. Instead of relying on business cards that often end up forgotten, don’t be shy to ask for permission to connect on a more personal level. Inquire if you can exchange WhatsApp numbers or set a specific follow-up time and day to touch base that works for them. Message them promptly by the next day at the latest, whilst the interaction is fresh − reference something specific you discussed and express your interest in staying connected. If relevant, prioritise landing the follow-up meeting where you can then focus on more of the nitty-gritty details. Making it easy for them not only makes you more memorable but also fosters a smoother continuation of your relationship.
4 Don’t be dampened by rejection
Rejection can feel like a cold slap in the face. Even worse is being ghosted or blue-ticked, where you know they received your message and just didn’t care to respond. But apart from being a natural part of the networking process, being rejected gives you very clear feedback on who not to pursue going forward, because now you truly know where you stand.
Understand that being rejected is not a reflection of your worth. Some of history’s greatest ideas faced fierce rejection before becoming colossal triumphs. The telephone, aspirin, motor cars, and even the Harry Potter books were initially dismissed by ‘experts’ in their respective fields. Today, nobody remembers those ‘experts’, except perhaps in chortling at how they could have got it so wrong. Rejection is a stepping stone, not a roadblock − learn from what didn’t work, adapt and overcome, because you can only get better.
To conclude
In conclusion, networking doesn’t have to be an awkward or distasteful endeavour. It’s about forging genuine connections, offering value, and embracing rejection as a means of growth – along with free food! The next time you find yourself at a networking event, remember to show up well-informed, listen attentively, make follow-up effortless, and don’t let rejection hold you back. Networking like a pro isn’t just about the connections you make: it’s about the opportunities you create in ways you can’t predict. So, step into the arena (armed with these tricks) and watch your professional network flourish. Who knows, your next life-changing connection might be just a casual ‘Hi’ away!
Author
Muhammed Ismail Bulbulia CA(SA), Founder & Editor at myCAhub
