21 Tips For Smarter Networking

Are you are a networker or a collector?
Are you a sharer or a stalker?
Do you give 10x more than you take?
Are you the same person online as off?
Do you network for what you can get, or what you can give?
Are you in it for the long haul or take it and leave?

networking definition: a supportive system of sharing information and services amongindividuals and groups having a common interest

Everywhere you look, people are networking. For business, for personal reasons, for careers and education.

Online you probably have your preferred tool whether it’s Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Facebook, or perhaps you enjoy forums, online communities and shared groups. Do you love to network, or is just another thing you have to do?

Great networking takes time.

Awesome networking is building relationships that last a long a time.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the ‘numbers’ trap: ‘How many Twitter followers do you have? How many FB friends ha ve you got? How many likes? How many circles do you belong to in Google+?’, it’s relentless.

Fantastic networking is not about numbers.

It’s about building rich, meaningful, rewarding relationships.

So without further ado, here’s a few tips for better networking , whether you’re on Twitter or having a one-to-one at a live event.

If I’ve missed anything glaring or obvious, or you have one to share, don’t be shy, share in the comments at the end.

1. All Relationships Take Time – this has always been the case. Cultivate and care for it. Look after it. Nourish it. Enter relationships with the goal it’s for a long time, that means there is plenty time.

2. Relationships Fade – the question is do you want it to? If not, keep the relationship alive by connecting often.

A quick ‘hello’ or a ‘how are you?’, send something to the person they know they would like, a link to an interesting post you think they may enjoy is free!

3. Know What a Person Likes – how can you find out? Follow them, see what they Tweet and share, what they talk about.

Read about pages on websites, read their bios.

If you share a common interest in dogs or coffee, there is the first commonality. In the ‘real world’ conversation take legs when the communicators are sharing common ground.

Find it. If you really have no idea, just ask.

4. Listen and Thank Often – if someone has made an impact, offered advice, say thank you.

A tweet, a card, a mention, small gestures take hardly any time, and they do matter.

5. Give Networking Your Time – great networking takes time.

Please don’t be a ‘collector’, or a number cruncher.

Diary and timetable networking into your day or week. Write down key people in your network, plus people you wish to start a relationship with. And just connect with them. You don’t need to contact the same people each week. Rotate, keep on top of it.

Make your networking a habit, part of your routines.

6. Ask How The Person Likes to Connect – my preferred ‘networking’ tool is Facebook, followed by Twitter.

It’s okay to ask people their preference, you are showing them respect. Some prefer email. Keep a note of this information, and use it.

7. All Sizzled Out – keep networks alive.

If the relationships dies, then take accountability for it and learn from it.

Is there anyone you can rekindle with today? Explain that you let it sizzle, apologise and ask if they want to reconnect?

8. Adopt the Phrase ‘Connection is Key‘ – this isn’t just in networking, this is life.

Connection, belonging, sharing, being part of, caring, relating is a human need. If you enter each relationships with the premise ‘Connection is Key’ not ‘Collecting is Key’ you’ll be miles ahead.

9. Expect Nothing in Return – many people network so they can see what they can ‘get in return’. They assume the relationship is about them, no relationship lasts when it’s one sided.

10. Share, Share, Share – it is hard to keep up-to-date with all the information, even with the best will in the world we can miss what our networks are sharing.

Use timely or buffer, add them to your toolbar. Again, allocating time will allow you to catch up.

11. It’s Two Way, Not Your Way – relationships are built on effective communication, trust, respect, compromise, compassion, we both know that. Build rapport, take accountability for it.

Rapport is not the same as ‘fake niceties’ , rapport is genuine, authentic, honest:

“Rapport is the ability to enter someone else’s world, to make him feel that you understand him, that you have a strong common bond. It’s the ability to go fully from your map of the world to his map of the world. It’s the essence of successful communication.” … Anthony Robbins

12. Practice, Practice, Practice – get into the real world, meet people face-to-face, notice how you interact, observe how your communication is received begin by asking yourself ‘what can I bring to this relationship?’

13. Keep Up-To-Date – make it easy to keep updated with your networks.

You could set up Google Alerts, you may want to use the persons name or their blog, website. Google Alerts will email you information every time the alert you set up is mentioned on the Internet.

14. What If You’re Shy? – difference between shy and being scared.

If you’re scared, are you ready to network? That may seem like a stupid question, but some of my clients have told me they can networking online, much easier than face-to-face.

You can be shy and build excellent relationships, can’t you? You can do both.

Fear diminishes with practice. If scared, connect via something you have in common, see no 3.

15. Be Fearless – that’s fearless, not frightening!

Regardless what you may believe, the majority of people get a little apprehension and butterflies when networking.

Just remember you are communicating to another human being: treat, act and behave as you wish to be treated.

But get out there, send those introductory emails and tweets, tell people why you would like to connect further (without desperation or a sell, which will put anyone right off!) Be the person to step up to someone with an extended hand!

16. Know When to Back Away – nobody likes to be hounded, we can all tell when we need to back off from a relationship, same online.

17. Keep Notes and Information – in the real world, after a networking event, it’s not uncommon to write a few notes and reminders to the back of business cards you were handed.

You can use Twitter lists for this online, or even create a mind map with key pieces of information.

18. Don’t Force – no relationship can be forced, this has always been the case. A forced relationship can’t be sustained or maintained.

19. Give 10x More Than You Get – how though? Be genuine, be helpful, ask if someone is okay, share blog posts, connect and introduce, ask people how you can help, reply to messages.

It’s not rocket – give more, take less.

20. Connect and Introduce– online and off, connect people.

You could be making a fantastic first introduction for someone. You aren’t responsible for the relationship, just the intro.

Maybe that’s something to remember networker and connectors are very valuable. Many people hold onto their network, assuming the person doesn’t have enough relationship to go around. They do! Share!

21. Humans – never, ever, ever forget, that’s what networking is. Human interaction.

Think gardening: seed, nourish, cultivate, grow, reseed!