If the idea of networking in a room full of strangers makes you want to throw up, then you’re not alone. Most people react the same way. However, if you take a different perspective to putting yourself out there, I guarantee you’ll have a much better experience then the pitch laden, cheap wine and stale cracker, boring ballroom experience you’re probably accustom to. Here’s a few things to keep in mind before you hit the ballroom floor.
Be Generous. Go there entirely to meet people so you can help them… at no charge. Forget all about your snazzy sales pitch and just meet others. Listen to their pitch and do whatever you can to help them. Certainly I’m not suggesting you give away the farm, but if you can make referrals, suggest ideas for new business or just provide a positive comment on their pitch, you’re adding value. The bonus is that you take the attention away from yourself and you no longer feel like a dork. The only reason people hate networking is because it magnifies gross feelings of self-consciousness to an unbearable degree. If you really focus on other people you’re paying zero attention to yourself, and suddenly you’re more confident, authentic and abundant. Not needy, pushy and salesy.
Networking is NOT sales. So when you find yourself in a room full of potential customers, the LAST thing you want to do is sell to them. Lead your approach with a genuine intention for adding value to others and you are not selling, you’re connecting. You’re also positioning yourself as a professional (and very cool person). Remember, its not just how you do business, its who you are when you do business.
Be Abundant. Abundance attracts abundance. Do you want to do business with the pushy sales chick who’s stuck to you like a bad rash, or do you want the person who doesn’t have time for you for the next three months, but just handed you a couple of brilliant ideas? Hello, I know who I want!
Be Interested. You don’t have to be ridiculously interesting to engage people. People don’t find others remotely as interesting as they find themselves, so let them talk. Ask them lots of questions. It builds repore, and hey, it pre-qualifys. It also helps you find common ground and a reason to carry on the relationship. Just have a few ice-breakers that will get people talking about themselves and then listen. Collect cool tid-bits about who they are and what they do so you can send them relevant referrals or introduce them to others with a great opening line.
Work the Room. Its tempting to glom onto the first comfortable person you meet and hang by their side until its time to go. This is such a huge waste of time! Just be honest with the folks you chat with and simply say “hey, I’m not great with networking, but I promised myself I’d meet at least five new people tonight. If you don’t mind, I’m going to go introduce myself to the folks over there. You’re welcome to join me if you like”. Now if its someone you don’t want to hang with, just say you have to hit the ladies and be done with it. Either way, give yourself a quota for how many introductions you’d like to get and stick with it.
Networking is crucial to building a personal brand, developing business relationships and just keeping things fresh. I think in the interest of time and money, online networking is really where its at, but conferences, meetings and social events relevant to your industry need your presence if you’re going to build an empire.
Let them see how awesome you are!
Want more on this topic? Two great books I highly recommend are
Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea
Good luck and knock’em dead!
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