Networking, or netwerkin, as we like to call it, can help you build a diverse support team and gain access to opportunities you may not have come across by yourself. It’s something you can do anywhere (even online) because our connected world gives us tons of opportunities to connect with others.

“Networking is marketing. Marketing yourself, marketing your uniqueness, marketing what you stand for.”

— Christine Comaford-Lynch

Networking, or netwerkin, as we like to call it, can help you build a diverse support team and gain access to opportunities you may not have come across by yourself. It’s something you can do anywhere (even online) because our connected world gives us tons of opportunities to connect with others.

If you are looking to begin a new career, start a new business, meet like-minded people or expand your current business, networking can help. I have used networking opportunities to make new friends, sign new clients, learn new things, and it’s also how I met my husband.

Don’t get me wrong, putting yourself out there to talk to others can be intimidating, so I’ve compiled a list of networking tips to help you out!

Be Yourself

People want to meet the real you, not a fake, made-up persona you think everyone wants to know. Take time out to figure out what you like to do, want to do, and share it with everyone you meet!

Connect With People Both Inside and Outside Your Industry

It is easy to connect with people in your industry, but you also need to meet people outside of your area of expertise. When you build a network of people that have experience in areas you don’t, it increases your knowledge, making you a more well-rounded person.

Use Casual Conversations to Make Memories

Get to know the person you’re talking to by starting conversations with simple casual talk. Questions like “what are you passionate about,” “how did you find out about this event,” or “those brownies are delicious, don’t you just love them” are more fun and memorable.

Be Brief: Get To The Point

Keep your conversations brief, and if you feel the need to discuss things in more detail, set up a lunch date.

Listen and Learn Everything You Can

When meeting people, try not to take over the conversations. Listen and learn. You should know more about the person you are talking to than they know about you.

Focus on Building Relationships

No matter your reasons for reaching out to others, make sure your main goal is not to beg or plead with attendees to help you do something. Tell people about your endeavors, and if they want to help you out, they will let you know. Focus on being a resource for others. Helping others is the best way to build relationships because people will remember how you treated them.

Ask Open-Ended Questions

If you only ask questions with yes or no answers, it will be hard to learn things about the person with whom you’re talking. Ask questions that require more detailed responses to keep the conversation flowing.

Follow up with the people you meet

This is probably the most important tip. To build relationships and increase your netwerk, you have to follow up with the people you meet.

Do you have any tips to add to this list? I’d love to hear them. Let me know.

Xoxxo,

Ashton Lynne : )

P.S. Looking to connect with like-minded women who are on a mission to live a happy and fulfilled life? The Queendom Moves Academy is for you. Learn more about our community and how you can join here.