Top tips for networking your way to success
by Natalie Sisson
When you’re faced with switching your business focus to a new industry or a different niche, it may feel like you have to go back to the beginning and rebuild your foundations all over again. The quickest way to get back on your feet is to start networking.
Nothing beats networking in person. Find the industry’s top events and go to them with a goal of learning and meeting everyone. It may sound daunting but there is no need to panic. It’s up to you to gather up the courage and introduce yourself to the right people.
Be open about what you're trying to do and that your new and you'll find the people you talk to open even more doors and ideas for you to pursue. Ask them questions about what they do, how they do it, and anything you think of that you're genuinely interested in. People like to talk about themselves and their work, so this is a great way to start a friendship.
You will learn more about the industry with each conversation, which will just go towards improving your success rate. To help you on your way, here are 10 tips to get you networking with ease in no time:
Talk the talk
It helps if you do a lot of research into this foreign industry before you get started and learn to talk the talk and use the right terminology and lingo. This will allow you to network intelligently and learn from others knowledge and expertize.
Know what’s hot
Get up to speed on some of the hot topics within an industry and use these to initiate compelling conversations with people at the events you’re going to or people you’re making appointments to meet with. You can use this as a foot in the door to ask further questions about key areas and quickly find out who the key players are and where they stand on the most pertinent issues facing that industry.
Do your research
If you’re attending a specific industry conference or networking event that you're going to, make sure you do some research of the attendance list and sponsors in advance. Also, make a list of people who you want to meet and reach out to them beforehand to introduce yourself via email, Twitter or LinkedIn, that way when you see them in person you have an immediate opening that's not awkwardly forced.
Give before you receive
Remember that just because you’re new to the industry, that doesn’t mean your prior experience and contacts aren’t still highly valuable. At the end of each conversation, ask people what they most need right now. Then think through whom you know who could help them or what resources you could recommend. Finally follow up with that information. People will be really impressed at your professionalism and follow through and will usually be happy to return the favor.
Talk less and listen more
Don’t start a conversation by selling your product or service but instead sell your new contacts on your genuine interest in them. Collect business cards like it’s going out of fashion and write little notes on the back of their cards to remember personal details you can follow up on later like `has a dog he adores called Mandy’, `recently started studying again’, `played college football’.
Act with purpose
It always helps to not only have a list of people you want to meet at an event or conference but also a purpose as to why you are networking in the first place. Do you need the assistance of the person you are networking with? Could they be a potential joint venture partner or strategic alliance? Create mutually beneficial opportunities to help them solve their challenges and improve their current situation where possible.
Once you’ve mastered the art of making the most of your networking abilities at conferences and meet-ups you can take your skills further.
Pitch with poise
Take those business cards and prioritize who you want to contact first. Then send them a concise email to follow up on what you discussed and asking for 15 minutes of their time to ask 5 specific questions about this new industry. Make sure you fit in with their schedule and then prepare your questions to make sure you get the information you are seeking. Most people will honor the request and give you more quality time.
Start dating
In addition to the business cards you’ve collected, and connections you’ve made, there’s nothing stopping you finding the most successful person in that industry and asking them to lunch. Tell them your story and also why you admire them. Ask your questions and sit back and be sure to listen because they will probably teach you more in that hour than you will ever learn again about that industry.
Ask for more
While we discussed giving more than you take when initially networking with people, once you’ve made the follow up contact and interviewed them for their expertize, there’s no harm in asking for additional people to connect with. Most smart and successful people will do this naturally and suggest you contact a number of people to help you out. Just be sure to get these contact details from them or better yet ask for them to send an introductory email.
With these tips you'll be networked in no time! Just remember to take your business cards with you at all times.
Natalie Sisson is a Kiwi Entrepreneur and Adventurer dedicated to finding creative ways to help you run your business from anywhere. She focuses on using online tools, social media and outsourcing to create more freedom in business and adventure in life. Her blog The Suitcase Entrepreneur features articles on all aspects of running a virtual business, a wealth of resources, biz and travel tools plus a large dose of inspiration, insight and intelligence.
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