1.) Analog over digital connections
The rise of online social networks has made it easy to find, (re)connect and engage with business contacts. You just search for them and add them as a friend or contact and you have the permission to interact. There is just one problem: Since it has become so easy to network with people online, the value of these connections decreases as well. Therefore you should not just focus on boosting your social profile and friends and connections count but instead focus on real connections in the real world. It is much better to have 50 strong contacts in real-world than 500 virtual contacts on a social network to achieve the things in your business.
2.) Prepare for an event
Whenever you go to a networking event you have to make sure that you are informed about the event in the beginning. Know who will be there, know what you can expect there and what are the important times and what are the less important times. The key is that it is essential to know when it is worth going to a networking event because you will meet new contacts and when you are going to an event to meet people you already know to strengthen your relationship with them.
3.) Focus on the person standing alone
If you ever go to an event and you don’t know anyone, don’t stand alone by yourself. Instead look out for the other person and start a conversation with them. There is nothing better than starting the conversation with a person and then starting to get into the flow of connecting with other people. The best conversation starter: “So, what brings you to this event?”. And just listen and start follow-up question and the conversation is going.
If you ever go to an event and you don’t know anyone, don’t stand alone by yourself. Instead look out for the other person and start a conversation with them. There is nothing better than starting the conversation with a person and then starting to get into the flow of connecting with other people. The best conversation starter: “So, what brings you to this event?”. And just listen and start follow-up question and the conversation is going.
4.) Listen and make them feel good
The best conversationalist are those who listen most and talk just a little. This means that your primary job at a networking event is asking questions and not talking about yourself all the time. The key is that once you have started listening to other people they will sooner or later also start asking questions about you. And once you they actively ask you what you are doing they are listening more closely to what you are doing than when you are just talking about yourself right from the beginning.
The best conversationalist are those who listen most and talk just a little. This means that your primary job at a networking event is asking questions and not talking about yourself all the time. The key is that once you have started listening to other people they will sooner or later also start asking questions about you. And once you they actively ask you what you are doing they are listening more closely to what you are doing than when you are just talking about yourself right from the beginning.
Important Tips