Business networking has been with us forever. While the venues and opportunities grow and change, we learn more about ourselves and how to develop mutually rewarding relationships. Contacts can emerge through referrals and introductions whether face-to-face or via phone, email, social media, or networking websites.
Here are resources that can offer rewarding results. Let’s start with some How To’s:
How to Network Like A Pro – Forbes
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2018/05/…/how-to-network-like-a-pr…
How to Network Like You Really Mean It
Inc. Magazine, by Minda Zetlin
https://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/8-things-power-networkers-do-make-connections.html
How to Network When You Don’t Like Networking
https://fairygodboss.com/articles/how-to-network-when-you-hate-networking
How to Network
Lots of information from YouTube networkers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfNN3b1dofQ
And, more resources:
10 Tips for Successful Business Networking
http://www.businessknowhow.com/tips/networking.htm
5 Things You MUST Do During Networking Events
http://www.workitdaily.com/networking-events-things-must-do/
12 Things Not To Do When Networking
http://www.careertoolbelt.com/12-things-not-to-do-when-networking/
Lots of books discuss the business networking process. One of them is Guerilla Marketing in 30 Days, 3rd Edition, by Jay Conrad Levinson and Al Lautenslager. Among their many suggestions is to develop networking goals. For example:
- Meet 10 new people.
- Receive eight business cards.
- Note something of interest on each card.
- Write a follow-up note to five of these people (or all).
- Call and set up an appointment after writing to three contacts.
- Continue the relationship with two of these.
The book also offers encouraging “Ongoing Networking Tips and Techniques” and “Action Steps.”
Here’s to your networking success.