A lot of people are intimidated by the concept of networking. They perceive it as something intrusive or demanding, and they may fear networking or simply don’t know how to do it. However, this is not necessarily the case. Networking is the process of building and maintaining a network of contacts and relationships.
In this article, we’ll share techniques to help you make the most of your networking.
1.Reminding yourself
Don’t forget to remind yourself of yourself. There is a veritable flood of information in today’s world, and our brains filter out most of it so that we don’t get overwhelmed. This means that your new acquaintance may simply not remember you, even if you are an amazing and interesting person.
To avoid this situation, try to remind yourself one or two days after you meet, most importantly, do it unobtrusively. If it is a conference, try not to write in the general flow of the conference spam post. It is better to remind yourself in a few days when the peak has passed.
2. Take the initiative
Often, when we communicate with people we don’t know, the conversation is reduced to standard questions like “What do you do?”, “Where are you from?” and “How do you like the conference?”. This is not only trivial, but also boring – it’s unlikely that a story about what the webmaster is pouring traffic on will evoke any emotion.
After such a conversation, your name is unlikely to be remembered. And it’s not about disrespect – it’s just that the interlocutor has nothing to latch on to in order to remember you.
Instead of such questions, try to use techniques that can evoke emotions:
- Interesting topics
It’s important to be able to read your interlocutor and understand what he or she might be interested in. It is best to talk about something that is interesting to you, but only if you notice that the interlocutor shares your interest.
- Unexpected twists and turns
If you’re a copywriter and someone asks you about your job, instead of the usual “I write articles,” try saying, “My profession is following people.” This answer usually elicits a more vivid response.
- Unusual questions
Try not only to answer in an original way, but also to ask unexpected questions. The main thing is that they should be appropriate (when communicating with the opposite sex, do not confuse it with flirting!)
- New wording
If you can not come up with something original, you can ask a familiar question in a less banal way. For example, at a conference ask: “What is the most interesting thing you have seen?” – Such wording will evoke more emotion than a standard question.
3. “Anchor Man.”
It’s about people, not manipulative “hooks.” No matter how multifaceted your personality is, your social circle will still tend toward stability. Even if you meet hundreds of people every day, the ones you are interested in will have something in common. This limits your networking opportunities.
This is where the “anchor person” comes to the rescue. The idea is that there are always people who attract others – different from those who attract you. Usually such personalities are on the rumor: they are talked about a lot, various rumors are associated with them, etc. They stand out from the crowd. Learn to recognize them.
Having established a connection with such an “anchor”, you will open for yourself new opportunities to communicate with people with whom you have not communicated before because of your circle. And if such a person is on your team, your chances of creating a successful team will increase significantly.
4. Mutual exchange
Healthy communication is always based on exchange. The meaning of this exchange is that in the end 1 + 1 > 2. In other words, when two interlocutors exchange views, both the speaker and the listener benefit, as each interprets the information in his or her own way.
If one of the participants in the conversation is not ready to hear and accept the other’s point of view, then regardless of the tricks, an interesting dialog will not work. Therefore, it is important to perceive any conversation as a mutual exchange, after which both you and your interlocutor should become better.
5. The 2-second rule
After your interlocutor has finished his part of the dialog, count 2 seconds to yourself. Let your interlocutor think that you are thinking about your answer and digesting the information you received from him. You’ll also be the one who doesn’t interrupt him.
6. Show kindness
You don’t need to be moralistic or overly sentimental – just be polite and consider the interests of your interlocutor. In business, this is a classic “win-win” scheme, where companies must consider each other’s interests in order to achieve their goals.
Eye contact, appropriate facial emotion, and appropriate gesturing all make a difference. For example, if the person you’re talking to is sharing worries about someone who has upset them, show sympathy or displeasure.
7. The “win-win” principle
In communication it can be manifested in the fact that you accept that the interlocutor may not share your point of view, or try to understand the topic of interest to him. The main thing is that this process should be mutual. However, don’t forget to let your interlocutor be himself. If you have listened to his or her story, it does not mean that he or she has to listen to yours if it is not interesting to him or her.
8. Do not force yourself
It’s a popular opinion nowadays that you should only socialize with useful people. But in fact it is important to communicate with those with whom you are pleasant.
If a person is unpleasant to you, even if he is useful, a full-fledged communication will not work. It is better to spend time with someone who is pleasant to you and can also be useful. Success comes only when you enjoy what you are doing. So don’t force yourself. If you like the person, don’t limit communication just because you don’t understand how you can benefit from this contact.
9. Etiquette in messaging
If you communicate on messengers for work, always ask permission to record audio, send a mugshot, or make a call before you do so. A simple question will show that you care about the comfort and time of the person you are talking to, which will automatically give you a bonus in communication.
10. Base yourself on facts
When discussing important issues or starting an argument about an event, ask yourself, “Did I see or hear this myself, was I told this, or is this just my opinion?” If the information is based on your personal experience, it is a fact. In your communication, rely on just such facts.
The separation between facts and opinions about facts is not a theory, but a practical axiom that helps people distinguish real events and true facts from what they perceive to be true in their limited reality.
What to read about networking?
- “Never eat alone and other rules of networking.”
This book focuses on how to find influential people, start conversations with them and build promising connections. It contains tips and useful advice on networking. It will be especially useful for those who are just getting acquainted with the business world and don’t know where to start.
- “Proper Dating.”
The book is designed for those who are just starting out in the world of networking and plan to make new contacts. It contains valuable information about the psychology of communication, people’s preferences and their characteristics. Recommended reading.
- “Stairway to Heaven. Dialogues about power, career and world elite”
The authors on the example of Russian authorities and elites explain how to properly build relationships with others. The book is useful because it contains real examples from Russian life, which makes the application of this knowledge much easier.
- “The New Code of Networking”
A compilation of secrets and lifehacks from successful businessman Gil Petersil. If you think that you are no longer surprised by anything, read “The New Code of Networking” – you will realize that you were wrong. This is an interesting and useful book that presents information in an easy and engaging way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is worth noting that networking is not an easy task. Despite its importance in today’s world, successful networking takes time, effort and skill. On your way you may encounter not only useful connections, but also pitfalls: misunderstandings, competition and different types of personalities with whom you will have to interact. The ability to find common ground and build trusting relationships is an art that requires practice and patience. However, despite all the challenges, quality networking can open many doors and become a powerful tool to achieve your goals. The key is to be ready for challenges and remain open to new opportunities.
