Anyone who’s been to their share of networking events can surely picture “that guy” in the room who treated the event like an invitation to do serial sales pitching. You know – the one that hits every one in the room, handing a business card with the elevator pitch or possibly the whole schpeal on what they do. They may grab your card as a courtesy but there’s often little to no interest in you or your business and seldom ever any follow up. …And, they wonder why they seldom get a call from that effort. Networking is about making meeting new people and fostering RELATIONSHIPS.
The question in your mind can’t be “what can I sell them and how” but rather “what does this person offer, need or want that I can help them realize, even if it does NOTHING for my bottom line.” Sometimes you’re just the connector to someone else they should meet. That’s okay.
Building and nurturing a professional network is crucial for success in today’s competitive world. However, it’s essential to approach networking in a genuine and non-sleazy way. Here are some non-sleazy ways to nurture your network:
1. Show Genuine Interest
When you reach out to someone, take an interest in their work, and ask questions about their goals, challenges, and achievements. Be genuine in your approach and listen actively.
Remember the F.O.R.D. acronym: Family, Occupation, Recreation, Dreams.
This gives you an easy framework to work within. “Questions are keys.” Learn to ask the right questions with a genuine interest in what that person shares. This will give you invaluable insight into how you can help them or connect with someone else who can.
2. Follow-Up
After meeting someone, follow up with them to express your gratitude for their time and to keep the conversation going. This shows that you value the relationship and are interested in building a connection.
Even better is when your follow-up comes with an invitation (to grab coffee or lunch, maybe?) or with a referral for either a prospect or industry connection that could promote them/their business. I love being able to say “you know who I think you should meet? My friend Ashley does ________ and I just know she would love what you have going on here.”
Again, always 100% sincere. Its always a gift to see others blessed in those connections.
3. Offer Value
Provide value to your network by sharing your knowledge, resources, and connections. Offer to introduce people to one another, provide feedback on their work, or share helpful articles and insights.
4. Go The Places
Seriously, I tell people ALL. THE. TIME. – Go the places, do the things and meet the people! There’s no shortcut around just showing up. You need to be present, and when you’re there, to be present. Be there and be engaged or else you’re likely wasting your time and potentially even hurting your business by sending a totally cruddy vibe.
(Side note: make sure you’re intentionally looking to connect with the right crowd to begin with. Be sure you stop chasing all the wrong people and connect intentionally with YOUR people.)
Attend events in your industry or profession and take the opportunity to meet new people. Be open-minded and engage in conversations with people you don’t know.
Here’s another pro tip: invite people in your network to join you to show them you want to support their growth as well. It’s a solid win – you’re not necessarily having to plan the event to bring people together, it’s easy and authentic and even if they can’t make it, it served as a great touch point – an easy reason to reach out and stay in touch.
5. Be Respectful of People’s Time
Respect people’s time by not bombarding them with constant emails or messages. Be patient and wait for a response before following up. If you don’t hear back, DO NOT assume offense. Don’t assume that they’re ignoring you or that they must hate you’re ever-loving guts. If you’re going to assume anything, assume that they’re busy and prayerfully in a prosperous way or hope that they’re getting to enjoy time with friends and family or enjoying something they love doing.
Be brief and sincere when you reach out and trust that it will be well-received. Then, keep moving forward looking forward to connecting with them more as the timing is right.
6. Be Authentic
Authenticity is key to building a genuine network. Be yourself, be honest, and avoid being pushy or insincere.
Make sure that you’re mindful of what kind of conversations you would not want pulled into. Forget feeling like you have to sport the suit too much in conversation. Keep it professional but make sure you’re telling a story people actually want to hear.
7. Show Appreciation
Take the time to show appreciation for the people in your network. Send a thank-you note or small gift to show that you value their relationship.
Overall, building a strong professional network takes time, effort, and authenticity. By following these non-sleazy ways to nurture your network, you can build genuine connections that will benefit you in the long run.
Looking for support in building your brand? You’re welcome to complete an application for agency at TheBrandRevivalist.com.
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