How to Successfully Network With Others
Ranked #170,962 in Business & Work, #1,240,208 overall
Why Networking With Others Is Important
Many people want to network with others but have no idea where to begin or what to do as part of their overall networking success plan. You need to learn where to go, who you'll encounter there, and what you can do to make it a positive experience for you.
But first let's look at why networking is so important. Networking provides a connection between people. You can't form business relationships that elevate your success if you're holed up like a hermit and not interacting so that people can get to know you.
You might want to begin networking with others as a way to find a better job, or it might be that you're seeking prospective partnerships for the future of your business success. Some people even network just to interact with like-minded career-oriented individuals because they simply enjoy sharing ideas and helping others succeed.
Build Your Contact List
Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty: The Only Networking Book You'll Ever Need
Amazon Price: $4.70 (as of 02/16/2012)
List Price: $16.95
"Dig your well before you're thirsty contains Harvey's gold-chip advice, accumulated over a lifetime of business success, on how to build and maintain the network you need. Harvey guarantees you'll never be more than a phone call away from a person in the position to help you get what you want---whether it's the job opportunity of a lifetime or a lifetime partner, the sales prospect of your dreams or the career advice you've only dreamed of. Harvey shows you how to create a network of trusted, valuable contacts that is worth its weight in platinum.
Harvey is at his practical, insightful, entertaining best and shows step by step:
* how to get to know the people you need to know
* how to ask for what you need when you need it
* how to keep relationships up to date and alive
* how to sparkle in the information age and on the internet
* how to unlock any door...anywhere...at any time."
Release Date: 02/16/1999
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Where You Can Go to Effectively Network with Others
Before you start meeting and influencing others, you'll want to map out a strategy - and it starts with knowing where to go to meet the kind of people you need to meet! That will depend on your goals and reasons for being in attendance.For example, if your goal is to meet customers that you can network with, and you promote a business for parents, then you would attend parenting events and workshops. But if your goal is to meet people in the same industry as you, then you would look for conferences and training workshops for professionals.
Toastmasters International is one type of career-oriented group you could join to network with success-driven people. But it's a broad base of contacts - would that be best for you, or do you want to be more specific and join a group of individuals on the exact same career path as you - such as a dentist who joins a dental organization to share ideas and learn new strategies about that particular business.
Networking isn't something you do once a month or twice a year. It's an on-going part of your daily activities. You never know when you'll meet someone who would be a good candidate for your growing list of contacts.
Create a Fully Developed Network of Contacts
Make Your Contacts Count: Networking Know-how for Business And Career Success
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 02/16/2012)
List Price: $14.95
"I just loved this book. I regularly read business books on business plans, marketing plans, and publicity or public relations plans. I really hadn't thought about it before, but after reading this book any entrepreneur should have a networking plan, too.
"Networking is now the critical strategy for business development. Professionals and entrepreneurs need to know how to gain visibility and credibility in their target markets, and how to build and maintain relationships for long-term growth." (Barber, page xiii). I agree 100% with the authors! And this book is the book to help you put together your networking plan. It is broken into the four following parts to help you in the process:
I. Survey your skills and mindset (Chapters 1-2)
II. Set your strategy (Chapters 3-5)
III. Sharpen your skills (Chapters 6-13)
IV. Select your settings (Chapters 14-20)
The chapters included in the book are as follows:
1. Assess your skills
2. Change your mindset
3. Teach trust
4. Develop your relationships
5. Go with your goals
6. Know the "netiquette"
7. Avoid the top 20 turnoffs
8. "Who are you?"
9. "What do you do?"
10. "What are we going to talk about?"
11. Make conversations flow
12. End with the future in mind
13. Follow through
14. Network at work
15. Make it rain clients
16. (Net)work from home
17. Make the most of your memberships
18. Rev up referral groups
19. Connect at conventions
20. Jump-start your job hunt
My favorite chapters were 7, 14, 15, 16, and 17. But all the chapters are great. There really are no spare words included in this text. And that is one of the reasons I liked it so much. Very well written. 5 stars!"
Release Date: 12/31/1969
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Tips on How to Network Successfully
When you're specifically attending an event to network with others, you'll want to ensure you have success and get the most out of the time you spend interacting with the people. Start by spiffing up your outer appearance and your inner attitude.Dress appropriately for the event, in a professional manner that would impress people. That doesn't mean you have to shell out a lot of money for designer clothes, but be modest and conservative when called for and casual when it's okay to do so.
Your mindset will play an important role in how well you network with others. Know why you're going to the event and have a few ideas on how to introduce yourself to people and begin discussing the topics you're interested in.
Make sure you have business cards on hand to give to people. If you still feel intimidated, you might consider having a professional success coach help you achieve the self confidence you need for optimal networking. You want to be memorable for those who meet you, but also take note of who was memorable to you. This can make for a lasting and profitable connection that will make your efforts to reach out to others worthwhile!
by robmason
Hello world. This is my bio. I can edit it later!
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