Networking Tips
Networking is the planned acquisition of contacts for
mutual support, exchanging information and doing business.
- What is Networking?
- Who should network?
- How can networking help me?
- Evaluate your networking goals
- Effective Networking
- Visibility
Making contacts! Networking
is the practice of exchanging information and advice among any group of people
with common interests.
People who want to meet others with similar interests. Subjects of interest might include business and professional pursuits or leisure time activities.
You'll be able to establish valuable contacts in a variety of fields for information, advice and moral support as you pursue your own goals. Networking can also provide a sense of community and connectedness.
- What kind of networking are you already doing?
- Who is in your present network?
- Who are you going to need in your network to get where you want to go?
- Where and how can you meet those people? Once you've found them, tell them about yourself and what you're looking for. Find out about them, too!
Organize your resources so that you can reach people in your network easily. Put your business card collection in a file box or notebook. Keep a file of organizational brochures, bibliographies, conference programs and other publications that provide information about services and influential people.
Write down your contacts on index cards. Include where they work, what your relationship is with them, what you might learn from them, and what you might have to offer them. You might also record what you have in common with each person and an item or two that you know is of interest or importance to them that might be useful as a conversation starter.
Keep track of everyone you meet this way. You'll be surprised at how large your network really is and how fast it grows. Also, start index cards for people you'd like to get to know. Make an effort to contact them or place yourself in their path to initiate a meeting. Be creative about supplying information to others. You might want to organize this information on a Rolodex or in your computer. Look for software and/or organizers to help manage your lists of contacts.
You will probably need to take the initiative in making contacts. You can actively pursue and build your connections. Connecting works best when you choose activities, individuals, and groups, and commit to participating and cultivating your resources.
Opportunities to connect are limited only by your imagination. You can meet people and gather information through professional and trade associations, unions, groups, networks, computer bulletin boards, conferences, meetings, workshops and classes. Each exchange can be a link to information and resources.
Look
for ways to "advertise" your products or services to Network members. Bring
flyers to put on tables or at the door. Door prizes (given away at monthly
meetings) are an excellent way to keep your product in front of the group.
Don't forget to place an ad in the directory!Ý
Always carry and use business cards. If your organization doesn't supply them, order your own. Always collect business cards, and use a system for filing them.
Set a schedule or timetable.
For instance, plan to make three new contacts weekly and follow them up in
the coming month. Send a clipping, make a phone call, or arrange another meeting,
this time including a third person. Map out a program to move you toward your
goals. This might include:
- Your present network -- the various people you already know or know of and can readily connect with; colleagues or co-workers, present and past; your parents (children) and their networks; other relatives and their networks; neighbors, teachers, school friends, members of clubs you have belonged to in the past, all of whom have networks of their own.
- The network you're going to need in order to get where you want to go. You may not know the names of these people, but you know what fields they are in and what kinds of jobs they hold. You know where to find them.
Ideas on where and how you can meet those members of your goal-oriented network of the future. One means to meet people is finding someone who already knows and can refer you to them, and putting yourself in their path.
JAB Publishing
