Networking tips for success

Networking: to interact with other people to exchange information and develop contacts, especially to further one’s career.

If that concept fills you with discomfort, or perhaps even dread, you’re not alone. Many people find networking to be an awkward necessity. Sure, there are people that are great at it, but for most of us, it just doesn’t come as naturally. Most of us end up overthinking and judging ourselves harshly for how we came across after a networking event. With practice, though, networking can become much more comfortable. We can focus more on making the contacts that will help us move forward and less on getting through the next five minutes with a stranger.

If you are someone who struggles from time to time with networking, give these three tips a try:

1. Ask Open-Ended Questions - If you’ve had conversations that fell flat before they even started, it could be that you weren’t asking the right questions. Asking “yes or no” questions is a quick way to back yourself into a corner, conversation-wise. Instead, try asking if they have any book recommendations that have helped them in business or ask them where they like to vacation. This helps get the conversation flowing, and everything will feel more natural after that.

2. Offer a Gift - Not a literal gift; more like a favor. Share some knowledge or a little bit of your time. Is this person in need of a LinkedIn recommendation or a brainstorm session to solve a problem they’re having? Offering yourself to others makes you a more memorable contact and much more likely to remain in the forefront of their mind, which may be beneficial to you down the road.

3. Prepare - It may seem silly to prepare for a networking event since you don’t know who you’ll run into. However, taking some time to read the day’s news and prepare a few discussion points will help you as you interact with new people. These little tidbits that you prepare in advance are a secret weapon you’ll be glad you have when the need arises.

Networking is a part of business that, like everything else, takes practice to perfect. Chances are, no one can tell that you’re nervous or anxious, but having these tips in your back pocket will surely make you feel even more comfortable.