5 ways to improve your networking skills

As much as people hate to admit it, the saying “it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know” is often the reality. You might be at the point where you want to meet new people, and get your name out there, but you’re just not sure how. Before you start, there are a few important things to remember when networking:

Be authentic

The best connections come from genuine relationships, not a business card exchange. When you’re not authentic, people will quickly see straight through you and become disinterested. Approaching people as a potential friend, rather than a business connection helps with this. When networking, you want quality over quantity – making genuine connections is much more important than having an endless list of contacts who won’t remember who you are when you reach out to them.

Don’t make it all about you
While you want to show that you have great skills, you are obviously wanting to make these connections because the people you are talking to are important in your industry or field. Don’t spend the whole time rambling about yourself, instead use your time wisely by giving them your undivided attention, ask insightful questions and show your interest in their answers. While you don’t want to spend much time on yourself, you should have a personal elevator pitch prepared on how you can help others. The pitch should be short, simple and grab the attention of the person you’re speaking to.

Spend your time wisely

While it’s easy to fall into the trap of hanging around people you already know, don’t spend too much of your time here. You’re there to make new connections, which won’t happen unless you make an effort to speak to new people.

It’s not about keeping score

We want to emphasise the importance of quality over quantity again here. Hiding your contacts from other people won’t do anything other than damage your own reputation. A good way to build more connections is to introduce people who can benefit from each other, chances are they might know someone who you should talk to as well, and will be thankful for your introduction. It’s a ‘you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours’ situation and can work in your favour. Connecting other people shows that you value the importance of collaboration in your field, and shows that you’re not just in it for yourself.

Follow up

Let’s get this clear first: the follow up should not be you asking for something. Networking should be about giving, not taking. What we mean by a follow up is to just check in with them, see how they’re doing, thank them for their time when you last spoke. It’s all about showing them that you genuinely care about them by fostering the relationship.

Don’t forget the power of social media in networking. LinkedIn is especially useful for building your professional network. A mix of face-to-face and online networking should provide you with what you need.

Here at Wild and Free Media, we’re all about building client relationships. We know the importance it holds in strengthening our clients’ brands and their personal ones too. So, be ready to step out of your comfort zone. Be genuine, show interest and listen to the people you are speaking to. By showing your authentic interest, you’ll make a friend, rather than just a business contact, which is the best mindset to have when networking.

If you’re looking to step up your networking skills or need some help to raise the profile of your business or personal brand, why not come in for a chat and see how our team of experts can help you achieve your goals. To arrange an appointment, drop us a line at hey@wildandfree.com.au