4 Ways of Being a Confident and Powerful Networker

It's one thing being a networker, but entirely different if you are a not-worker.

It can be very easy to find yourself attending one networking event after another and wonder why you are there and what it is you are trying to achieve.  I can remember several weeks of networking where I managed to have several lunches, a few evening events topped off with a virtual online session.

(The one time of day I can't network - and to be honest don't like to network - is breakfast.  Too busy doing the school run and until I have had a couple of cups of tea, I can't verbalise sensibly anyway!!)

Too much networking without much of a thought of what, why, when and where and all you can achieve is a drain in your cashflow and no time in the office to catch up with all that client work you should have done last week.

So how can you ensure your networking is productive?

How can you make your networking confident and powerful?

There are many ways but the four main strategies that I work to are as follows:

1.  Network with a goal.  If you have a purpose in mind, you will be likely to pick up on clues to help you get there.  And your goal does not always have to be "find 3 new clients".  In fact some of your best client generation networking is usually when you are not focusing on that particular goal.

Other networking goals can be to find 3 recommendations for an accountant; to get to speak to someone who works in a particular industry so you can pick their brains over a cup of coffee; or even as social as asking around for anyone who has a villa in Spain they would like to rent out in August (any offers?)

2.  Be focused but open minded.  Yes, it is important to have a goal in mind and to keep your networking strategy focused around this.  But do keep an open mind when considering different networking events, speaking to different people and exploring online communities.  Other doors may open for you and opportunities present themselves if you let them appear.

3.  Follow up - ALWAYS!  I must admit to have been up and down with this and it is only recently that I realised I had let this slide.  Don't give an initial meeting the opportunity to fizzle out and disappear.  Networking is about building relationships and if you have exchanged business cards it is only polite to drop them an email within 24 hours of meeting them. No sales pitch, mind! Just a follow up to encourage the relationship to develop.

4.  Know that networking is like a pregnancy - it can take 9 months for you to see results!  Networking is not a quick fix marketing strategy.  Attend 3 meetings and then sulk because not one person called you to enquire about your services.  Networking takes time. You are building relationships and it is important to allow people to develop trust and confidence in you.

If you are just starting up, will you still be in business in 6 months time?  If you have been in business for a while, will you disappear again once your workload goes on the up? 

Take the time to build your reputation and you will reap the rewards for many years to come.

If you have another confident and powerful networking strategy that you would like to share, please share them by adding a comment below.

Comments

[Justine Curtis]

Hi Karen, Great article, particulaly point 3, something I'm sure we are all guilty of. It's also a mistake to follow up only with people who you think may become clients. My advice would be follow up with everyone you spoke to, you never know who they are connected to. Looking forward to seeing you at the Virtual Assistant conference on Saturday. Justine

[Robyn Hatley]

Hey Karen! I agree with all your networking nuggets! And I guess for me you've touched on my 2 main networking tips:
* Be Authentic: Be who you really are. Yes, have an agenda, know why you're there, what you want and need. But always be yourself.
* Build Relationships: Which is why you also need to be authentic! Show an interest in others, beyond just their business. Conect on a personal level (be it kids, where you live /holiday, etc.) and you'll be remembered better. Build the relationship as you would a friendship - no unrelaistic expectations and built over time.
All the best for the VA Conference! Robyn

[Karen Skidmore]

Thanks, Justine & Robyn - really great advice you have left and I know others will benefit from reading them.
And great conference, thanks - it was good to meet you properly, Justine and spend some time finding out more about you and your business. Karen

[Maria Yadegar]

Hi Karen, thanks for your ever useful advice.
My tip for networking is to remember to smile and go up to someone else who is looking a little 'lost' or standing on their own. Chances are they are feeling exactly the same as you and could use a friendly face and someone showing an interest in them and their business.

Hope this helps you reach your 300 goal.

Maria