I hated networking! My palms would sweat, I was intimidated by strangers, I didn’t like talking about myself and thought they were all trying to sell me something (anyone else deal with social anxiety?). But as I continued to put myself out there. I started to be less afraid.

My podcast was my reason for networking. I wanted to get more listeners and guests on my show. I soon realized that it was much more than that. I missed meeting new people and learning from their stories. I also got a lot of great advice from people that were doing what I wanted to do. They were inspiring and willing to help on the journey to greatness.

Networking is about being engaged and collaborating. It's about getting to know your community and learning from each other. This can be the most rewarding part of your experience if you do it right! In this post, I'll share my best tips for how to network effectively so that you can make meaningful connections with people who will help grow your career or business.

Know your "Why"

Get clear on what's in it for you, as well as how it fits into the big picture (i.e., do you want to get more business or make more connections?).

When you understand what you're hoping to accomplish, it's easier to identify the right people to connect with, choose the right events to attend, and have more meaningful conversations. It also helps you communicate your goals clearly when someone asks, "What brings you here?"

Networking becomes much more effective when you aren't simply trying to meet more people, but are intentionally building relationships that align with where you want to go.

Starting a Conversation

Being yourself is the most important thing you can do. Be genuine, don't try to be someone you're not, and don't be afraid to share your ideas. It will make it easier for others to connect with you.

When meeting new people, some feel nervous and uncomfortable asking questions or asking for help (I still feel like that sometimes). What I do is create a small “About Me” introduction. It should only be one or two sentences. This is like your sales pitch, but you aren’t trying to sell anything (yet).

If you need to take a shot first, that's ok. Go up to the first person or group you see and give a firm handshake. Tell them your name and ask for theirs. Then start the conversation by giving them your “about me” intro. After, ask what they do.

Ask questions

Ask them what brings them to the event.
Ask questions that allow you to learn more about the person, their work and what they do in their lives.
Ask questions that help you to connect with them on a personal level.
Ask questions that allow you to connect with them on a professional level.

Listen more than you speak

When you're networking, it's important to listen more than you speak. You'll be surprised how many people will share their story with you if they think you're interested in what they're saying.

This one is easy for me because I like to listen more than speak. But anyone can learn this technique. When listening, don't interrupt unless asked directly by asking questions about what was said earlier in order for both parties involved to gain knowledge, and gain confidence within themselves at being able to contribute positively towards the conversation.

Practice active listening

Active listening is a technique that enables you to engage with your listeners, understand them, and build rapport. Essentially, active listening means being aware of what your listener is saying so that you can respond in a helpful and supportive way.

Some ways you can do this is by…

Making eye contact and smile
Ask specific questions
Nod at appropriate times
Pay attention and don’t focus on what you’re going to say next.

Networking is about being engaged and collaborating.

Networking is about being engaged and collaborating. It's about sharing information and experiences, learning from others, being open to new ideas, and being willing to try new things.

It's not just a way of getting something in return, it's also an opportunity for you to get better at what you're already doing so that when it comes time for your next business or career move, you’ll know who to call.

Follow Up

After the event I’m sure you’ll have many business cards and followers on social media, but the networking game doesn't stop there. Make sure you follow up with everyone within 24 hours by…

Thanking them for speaking with you
Mention something specific you talked about
Offer to help them
Ask to meet up for coffee or
Follow them on LinkedIn or other social platforms.

Networking is a powerful tool for building relationships and community. By simply being engaged and proactive in your networking, you’re able to build connections with people who share your interests and goals. When you connect with others through their networks, it connects them back to you, which then creates a ripple effect for everyone involved!

Do you have any tips for networking?

Getting Comfortable With Networking