Top 10 Business Networking Tips to Make a Great First Impression
Networking events are about building relationships and not about seeing how many business cards you can acquire!
Top 10 Business Networking Tips
When it comes to networking, unless you’re a born socialiser, it can feel like torture.
And how come it looks as though other people can always network better than you?
Not only that, but it can also feel doubly excruciating if you’re already shy.
Self Conscious
The truth is that even people who aren’t shy can feel self-conscious in these slightly artificial circumstances.
Networking events are about building relationships and not about seeing how many business cards you can acquire.
First impressions really count, so here are our top tips for turning a nightmare scenario into one that might even be fun!
Business Networking Tips
- 1. Avoid the Comfort of Friends
- 2. Make it Individual
- 3. Don’t Sweat the Small Talk
- 4. Ask the Expert
- 5. Look for Common Ground
- 6. It’s Good to Share
- 7. Don’t Curb your Enthusiasm
- 8. Body Language Speaks
- 9. Business Card Etiquette
- 10. Follow Up
1. Avoid the Comfort of Friends
It’s easy to make a bee-line for someone you know (safety in numbers) and you might even feel as though at least you are talking to someone.
That’s cheating.
2. Make it Individual
Good networking isn’t about speaking to as many people as possible and flinging your business cards around.
Better to take time to have fewer but better conversations rather than whizzing around the room. It’s the same principle with customer service. You want to take the time to make a connection with the person you are speaking to.
3. You Don’t Need to Sweat the Small Talk
Most people love to talk about themselves so asking a few open questions will kick-start most conversations.
Think about questions you might ask if you were at a party, having a good time, and meeting new people.
4. Ask the Expert
As well as asking questions about themselves, if you know or learn about someone’s expertise, ask a few more questions about their work, how they got into it, etc.
You’ll learn a lot about them as a person.
5. Look for Common Ground
Usually, after quite a short time, you should find it fairly easy to identify areas of interest, beliefs, or opinions where you can connect with the other person.
It isn’t about being in complete agreement; it’s more about using this common ground as a launch pad for a fuller discussion.
Business Networking Tips
6. It’s Good to Share
Once you establish common ground a little personal disclosure goes a long way to creating a positive first impression.
You don’t need to reveal your deepest secrets but divulging a few interesting or quirky titbits will usually encourage the other person to give more as well.
7. Don’t Curb your Enthusiasm
We’re not suggesting the false smile, or over-the-top, salesy-type enthusiasm; rather, find bits of your job that you feel passionate about and express that passion.
The idea is to be a real person that others can relate to and trust.
8. Be Aware that Body Language Speaks
If you carry the thoughts in your head that you don’t want to be there and feel unconfident and uncomfortable, they will inevitably leak into your body and will be ‘read’ by others.
Holding any positive thoughts up there will also leak out and will reflect a more upbeat attitude, which is far more attractive.
9. Be Careful about Whipping Out your Business Card
If you genuinely want to develop the connection then, as the conversation comes to a natural end, suggest exchanging details.
The card isn’t what’s important; the relationship is.
10. Follow Up
A simple, ‘I enjoyed meeting you yesterday’ email with a couple of references to stuff you talked about works very well.
It really is ‘you they buy’ and people do relate to people.
Read More about – Business Networking Skills
Check Out – Social Networking in Business
Business Networking Tips
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