Millions of people resist the idea of networking because it often feels forced … contrived … not genuine. Most networking events have us roaming around a room with a bunch of people we don\u2019t know while we\u2019re wearing our \u201cHello my name is awesome\u201d sticker on our breast pocket.<\/p>\n
I suggest you reframe \u201cnetworking\u201d in your mind …<\/strong><\/em> Here are 8 simple networking tips to be a networking rockstar.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 1) Focus on \u201cgiving\u201d NOT \u201cgetting\u201d<\/strong> What if you have a great book recommendation? … or you learn through conversation that you know someone the person across from you would like to meet. What you have to contribute may have nothing to do with your business, but that\u2019s okay. Make \u201cgive, give, give\u201d a focus and I will assure you it\u2019s a proven recipe for success.<\/em><\/p>\n 2) Be present<\/strong> 3) Listen more than you talk<\/strong><\/p>\n We have 2 ears and one mouth for a reason. It\u2019s been said by experts that \u201cwe should listen twice as much as we talk.\u201d The most interesting people we want to meet \u201cwant to know about us.\u201d<\/p>\n 4) Think \u201clong term\u201d versus \u201cshort term\u201d<\/strong> 5) Be honest<\/strong> 6) Don\u2019t over commit or feel guilty<\/strong> 7) Take immediate action<\/strong> Lastly … Now get out there … make friends and find a means to loving the concept of networking!<\/p>\n BE BLESSED ALWAYS!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Millions of people resist the idea of networking because it often feels forced … contrived … not genuine. Most networking events have us roaming around a room with a bunch of people we don\u2019t know while we\u2019re wearing our \u201cHello my name is awesome\u201d sticker on our breast pocket. I suggest you reframe \u201cnetworking\u201d in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jcmcom.com\/jcmblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3145"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jcmcom.com\/jcmblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jcmcom.com\/jcmblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jcmcom.com\/jcmblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jcmcom.com\/jcmblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3145"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/www.jcmcom.com\/jcmblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3153,"href":"http:\/\/www.jcmcom.com\/jcmblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3145\/revisions\/3153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jcmcom.com\/jcmblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jcmcom.com\/jcmblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jcmcom.com\/jcmblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nView networking is NOT an event\u2014it\u2019s an ongoing, \u201corganic\u201d scene that allows you to form relationships with people you might actually enjoy the company of. You want to make \u201cnetworking\u201d a life practice of meeting new people … and developing new & exciting relationships that you can contribute to.<\/p>\n
\nHere\u2019s one suggestion:<\/p>\n
\nWhen you are at a networking event, concentrate solely on the person you\u2019re speaking with. Don\u2019t be looking all around the room scanning the people for someone else. It\u2019s rude! I guarantee you wouldn\u2019t want someone to do that to you.<\/p>\n
\nReal relationships build gradually over time. For example:<\/em> Who goes on a first date and proposes marriage? So don\u2019t rush into a conversation or push your agenda when you first meet another person. Ask questions that genuinely open up or move along your dialogue.<\/p>\n
\nDon\u2019t agree to do anything just to \u201cbe nice\u201d … or do something because you\u2019re trying to push your agenda. If someone suggests \u201cHey, let\u2019s do lunch\u201d … please don\u2019t agree just to \u201cbe nice.\u201d Instead, say something like \u201cI really appreciate your offer, but my business life is so full that I don\u2019t want to make a promise that I can\u2019t keep. I\u2019d feel just awful if our meeting never happens.\u201d
\nThen either be quiet … or … you can creatively move the conversation forward.<\/p>\n
\nIt\u2019s okay to NOT to stay in touch with everyone you meet at an event. Of course it\u2019s fine to meet new people of all backgrounds, but don\u2019t feel have to followup with everyone you came in contact with. You just don\u2019t have time and energy, and it\u2019s definitely not genuine if you have no intention of contacting them.<\/p>\n
\nIf you agree to \u201cdo something\u201d … take action and \u201cget \u2019er done\u201d right away. If you say \u201cyou\u2019ll send an email\u201d … whip out your smartphone and send it \u201cright, then & there\u201d … versus waiting until you return to your office. It\u2019s a terrific habit to build\u2014plus you have less on your \u201cto do list\u201d when you get back to headquarters.<\/p>\n
\n8) Only go to networking events that interest you!<\/strong>
\nOnly say \u201cyes\u201d to the events you want to do. The best kind of connections are those where you meet a kindred spirit and make friends. Don’t go solely to an event just to get the word out about \u201cwhat you do\u201d … I suggest you go to \u201cbond\u201d and \u201cconnect\u201d with \u201clike-minded\u201d people. it just might be the best blessing of the day for you! Your number one goal should be to connect and make friends … otherwise you WILL most certainly come off as \u201cfake\u201d and \u201cinsincere.\u201d<\/p>\n