9 Tips to Network with Confidence
By: Lauren Marsicano
Insta: @networkingmaverick
9 Tips to Network with Confidence
Networking can be intimidating if you don’t have much experience. Maybe you’ve gone to a couple of events and mostly kept to yourself. Or you are learning what networking is and how to do it. No matter where you are in your networking journey, it can be challenging and awkward. But, don’t worry, because I’ve compiled nine of my best tips to help you network with confidence.
1. ABC - Always Be Connecting.
Don’t wait until you need a new job or run out of clients to go out and meet new people. Make time every month (or even week) to attend events where you can meet people who might help you level up your career or business.
2. Make a plan.
Before you go to an event, see if you can find out who is attending. Is anyone going who you would like to know better? Have you been wanting to meet someone in person? Is there a speaker who can help you advance your career? Research topics you can discuss with them, have questions ready to ask them, do what you can to prepare to make or strengthen those connections.
3. Craft and practice your memorable moment.
A memorable moment is a short description (that takes 30 seconds or less to say) that clearly and concisely conveys what you do. For example, one of my clients is a branded copywriter, and her memorable moment is, “I help entrepreneurs develop a look, language, and feel for their brand with a focus on well-written content.” It’s short. It conveys that she’s more than a writer. And it says everything she does in just one sentence.
A memorable moment can be more than one sentence, but make sure to keep it brief with a maximum of three sentences.
Make sure to practice your memorable moment so it rolls easily off your tongue to leave a positive impression on your connection.
4. Read the room.
Before you even walk into an event, look at who is walking in. Have people brought others? Do you recognize anyone? I’ve often sparked some interesting conversation while walking into events.
But it’s also important to be conscientious, and not want to talk to people right when they walk into an event. Give them time to settle in.
When you first walk in, notice if people are wearing name tags. What do they say? Writing something professional, but interesting can be a great icebreaker. For example, I’ve written “The Networking Maverick” on my nametags, and I tend to get one or two questions about what that means. The idea is to write something that fits the event, people, and environment.
Where are the drinks? Is there food? These are all great things to know, so you can plan where to start connecting. A good rule of thumb is to stand in a place where people have food and drink in hand because this makes them more receptive to talking.
People don’t normally like to eat and drink alone. Use that to your advantage. Ask to join someone for a drink or a bite, start a conversation with someone new, or greet that person you briefly chatted with on the way in.
5. Forego the sales pitch.
Have you ever wanted to stay in a conversation that feels like a sales pitch? No? I totally get it. Most people wouldn’t. So when you first meet someone, make sure to leave the sales pitch out of the chat.
Instead, ask them what they like to do when they're not working. Ask them about their families. Are they from the area? What school did they attend? Then, when they ask you what you do for work, roll out your memorable moment. If they are interested in working with you, or know someone who can help you could use your products or services, they will likely steer the conversation in a direction that will benefit you both. If not, then at least you can get to know each other better, and who knows what can come of this connection in the future?
6. Everyone is important.
That is the best way to approach a conversation at any networking event. You never know who anyone could be, or how they can help you in your career. So treat everyone with the same level of respect, interest, and courtesy.
7. Add value.
Whenever you speak with someone in a networking setting, ask yourself, “How can I bring value to this interaction?” Can you introduce them to someone who can help them advance their career? Do you have a client who can use their services? Do you have a friend who needs a job in their field? Finding innovative ways to connect people to others can add so much value. Or if your businesses align, and you’re interested in helping each other grow, you can set up a meeting to brainstorm ways to help each other.
8. Follow up.
This is often the part people forget. If you said you would email someone, do it. If they asked you to text them, do it. And follow up soon after meeting them. Many people have sent me emails hours after leaving an event. It’s best to follow up within 24 to 48 hours of meeting someone. This tip is key in helping you advance in your career, or grow your network or business.
9. Practice. Practice. Practice.
Remember when you wanted to learn your times tables in school? Did you learn all of them the first time? Or even the tenth time you reviewed them? Unless you have exceptional memory, then you probably didn’t. The same goes for networking.
You can’t get comfortable with networking and hone all of your skills by just attending a couple of events. Becoming a confident networker takes time and practice. So look at your calendar, and see where you can fit in one networking event a week, or even just two per month.
The more events you attend, the more at ease you will feel, and the better you’ll become at networking.
Summary of 9 Tips to Network with Confidence
ABC - Always be connecting.
Make a plan.
Craft and practice your memorable moment.
Read the room.
Forego the sales pitch.
Everyone is important.
Add value.
Follow up.
Practice. Practice. Practice.
Now that you know where to stand, who to talk to, and so many other great tips to network, get out there and do tip # 9! ;)
Happy Connecting!