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  Networking DO's & DON'Ts
By Colette Mauzeralle Media Relations Coordinator
         
 

In recent years, the topic of networking has become increasingly prominent in conversation, popping up frequently in business-related discussions. Though the term “networking” often conjures up visions of social media websites, basic practices have remained the same and should not be forgotten. Read on for the rundown of the do's and don'ts of cultivating professional relationships, whether in person or online.

DO:

  • Know what you're networking for. What is your main goal? Whether you're looking to gain new clients, create a network of go-to experts in your industry, or keep abreast of the latest and greatest, having a clear idea of what you wish to gain will help you to get there.
  • Plan your talking points before you begin. This little plan greatly reduces the awkward silences that are bound to arise. Think of subjects that are both personal to you and likely to be of interest to others. Basic talking points (like weather) can get you only so far, so use them to steer the conversation toward another subject.
  • Follow up. Do what you say you will. Be reliable. Share new information with others when you come across it. Feel free to invite new contacts to lunch. This particular type of meeting tends to be more successful, as it has a definite start and end time, and the mid-day time frame won't intimidate the other party into declining your invitation.
  • Know when to slow down. We've all seen people who try to forge relationships with everyone, but this type of networking screams desperation and results in being spread far too thin. It isn't realistic to connect with everyone. Choose to pursue only those who are useful in attaining your goals.
  • Find and use networking groups. Many organizations offer these, and there are several types of networking groups: industry mixers, professional associations, online social media groups (such as LinkedIn), just to name a few.
  • Be prepared to give, and then give more. Though it can be draining, being generous with your expertise, assistance, and other resources you have will posture you as a “go to” person of the utmost reliability.
  • Patience is key. Networking is a marathon, not a sprint. Resources need to be grown slowly over time. There is a chance you may connect with the right people from the start, but it is far more likely that there will be a few misses before you make hits.
  • Ask for introductions. You meet someone at a mixer and still have hours of mingling left. What now? Ask your new contact to introduce you to their contacts. The mutual introduction, in place of simply introducing yourself, is more likely to forge a strong connection.
  • Analyze your results. At some point in the networking process, you must step back and evaluate whether you are on the right path. If not, ask yourself what is holding you back and make changes to your networking style as needed.

DON'T:

  • Don't think that being introverted means you won't be effective. Many people become shy on a fairly regular basis, yet all it takes is a bit of practice to become a good networker. Two key points to help with introverted personalities: ask questions that encourage the other party to do most of the speaking, and then spend your time actively listening.
  • Don't forget to forge real relationships, as this will increase your ability to ask for future business-related favors or referrals. Stay open to connecting with other professionals on a deeper level, such as sharing a personal interest or hobby, and the results will be much stronger bonds.
  • Don't allow your network to become insular. Despite what we said earlier about not spreading yourself too thin, you must also not let your contacts grow stale. Maintain current contacts, but always continue to branch out to new groups of diverse people.
  • Don't assume that once you've created a contact it will last forever. Relationships, both professional and personal, must be maintained, so it takes some degree of consistent and repeated reaching out to ensure valued contacts remain close.
  • Don't assume that you can ask for favors without returning them. Better yet, offer your assistance well before you seek the help of others. And if your request should be met with a counter-request, be prepared to respond positively.
  • Never spam all of your contacts at once. This should really read, “Never spam any of your contacts, period.” Assess where your relationship lies with each individual contact and ask favors accordingly (which often means starting small).
  • Never ask a favor of someone who you don't have a connection with. This practice immediately places you in one of two categories: freeloader, or overly-entitled. You don't want to be either of those.
  • Never think that you have nothing to offer. If you can't reciprocate by offering a job or industry expertise, you can still be very giving of your trustworthy, amicable personality. If anything, a bit of genuine flattery is always appreciated.
  • Don't assume that people don't want to talk to you because they aren't talking to you. As said before, many people are shy by nature, so it may take you initiating contact and breaking the ice in order to begin building valuable relationships.