If you are looking to network to expand your business, there are a number of steps you can take to improve your chances of success. Even if you don’t feel comfortable networking, taking these tips as your starting point will help you to achieve more when you get to know people in a business environment.
You are looking for information
It would be great if you could want up to someone and get everything you need to know from them there and then. It would save a lot of time and a lot of effort, but of course, this isn’t going to happen. If you are going to network properly, you will pick up a lot of information. Not all of it is going to be vitally important to you, but it is of relevance and you should be looking to take on board what is relevant and important to you.
If you solely focus on your ultimate aim of networking, it is likely that you’ll never get there because you need to take steps to reach that goal. This is why the information gathering process, and of course the information sharing process is vital and can really help you to move forward.
Start from a point that you know
It would be ideal to be able to go up to someone you know and start talking to them and then be introduced to other people they know, but again, this isn’t always an option when it comes to networking. This is why you need to give yourself the best chance of having a good conversation starting point or at least a reason to talk to people.
This means that you should do some research on the people who are attending at the event. If there is someone or some business that you need to speak to, it makes sense to get to know them in advance. Look online, find out some research and if there is any work of theirs that you can cite and say has been a good influence or inspiration, be sure to mention it. This is why it makes sense to attend talks and presentations at conferences and events. This can give you a good starting point if you meet the people who gave the talk but it can also provide you with a talking point on other people. If there is a conversation on a similar field, being able to cite a talk or presentation that is relevant will find that you can make your way into the conversation with a minimum of fuss and effort.
Don’t be afraid to network with strangers
Okay, the last tip focused on the benefits that come from talking with people you know and going from there but life isn’t always ideal. If you don’t have any automatic starting points or people you know, it makes sense to start talking to people that you don’t know. This can lead to a lot of different places. It may be that the person has no possible interest or benefit to you, and if that happens, it’s unfortunate, but it may be that this stranger can actually connect you to a business or a person of interest. They may even be a person of interest. The problem with these events is that you often don’t know who is important or relevant to you. This is why there will be times when you can achieve success by being bold and having a little bit of luck on your side. After all, if you never take a shot, you will never score and this is something that you should have in mind when it comes to networking.
Have things in mind that you want to say
When you meet new people, it can be difficult to keep a conversation flowing, so it helps to have things in mind that you want to say. These can be questions that you feel are relevant to most people but it may also include talking points that you want to bring up about what you can offer or what you have to say. You always need to remember that half point of networking is offering to others and if you can show that you have plenty to offer, or that you are of benefit to other people, you will find that you will get a lot more from the networking process.
If you are attending a conference or event for networking, such as the MIPIM 2016 in Cannes, you’ll be relaxed and able to enjoy yourself. You should also find that you are more comfortable about networking and this can provide you with the platform for future business success.
Andrew Reilly is a freelance writer with a focus on news stories and consumer interest articles. He has been writing professionally for 9 years but has been writing for as long as he can care to remember. When Andrew isn’t sat behind a laptop or researching a story, he will be found watching a gig or a game of football.
