How to Make Networking Less Scary and More Fun
Twenty years ago I launched my 1st health
coaching / healthy lifestyle management company I knew to build my client base I
needed to let people know I was “open for business” you know advertise. The
question was how to best go about this.
As with all things I do, I studied it. Back then a Google
search for “networking” came computer networking and Business Networking
International. Dr. Ivan Misner, founder
of BNI, was a big promoter of word-of-mouth advertising as being the best way
to launch a new business. Seemed reasonable. So I joined our local BNI to
network my business. Our local chamber of commerce advertised Networking Events
to promote your business, make friends, let them know about your business, and
ask for their help.
That too seemed easy enough, however I did not really see
myself as a friendly person, knew nothing about networking in a business sense,
and pretty much completely out of my element. I never owned a business before,
unsure how to talk about it, and not keen on talking to strangers about much of
anything. But I could learn. How hard
could it be?
As I always do when starting something new, I develop a
survey question around it, then ask everyone the question, or set of questions.
In this case the survey questions were, “Why is networking scary, and how do
you not make it scary?”
Here are all the reasons they said why networking is scary.
If you find networking to be scary, or even terrifying to you it is probably on
this list:
- 1. Lack of confidence
- 2. Fear of everything that goes with it
- 3. Shy, Introverted around people
- 4. Bad experiences in the past
- 5. New to it, do not know what to do
- 6. Anxiety making new friends, new places
- 7. Feels awkward, strange, weird
- 8. Not sure what is supposed to happen there
- 9. Do not know what to do
- 10. Uncomfortable around strangers
Good news! Everyone starts out in the same boat. No one is
born a natural business networker. It is awkward, weird, strange, and
uncomfortable for pretty much everyone, at first. You do not have to be an extravert,
a smooth operator or even love people to be able to further your business,
build new connections and locate new resources at a business networking event.
More good news! Networking is a learned skill set, a set of
strategies, a process you can lean into, and with practice become more
confident. Who knows you may really like it! Or not!
My solution? Make a system, a process that would work for
everyone, then put it in a book After months of trial and error, failure, and
success. I did just that. Here is the book, in the meantime here are
some GREAT NETWORKING TIPS.
As to how you are feeling. It is OK to feel weird,
uncomfortable even scared. Some experts say your feelings are designed as an
early warning system for your mind and body letting you know you may be in
danger and to proceed with caution. In this situation is your body in danger?
No.
So be scared, face the fear, a thank it for letting you know
it is looking out for you, for now you are good and give your fear permission
to step aside. “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience
in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” Eleanor Roosevelt
Great Networking Tips:
Before the event:
Build your confidence. Get pumped up! Great Tip: Tap into the great thinkers
of the world. Check out the book What Do You Say When You Talk to Yourself?
Plan for success. Set a goal. Great Tip: Plan
to meet 3 new people at this event and make an appointment with 1 of them to
learn about their business.
Set expectations. Networking events are just a place
to make new connections. They are not a place for you to try to sell something,
or even talk about your business. Networking events are ideal places to meet
people you did not know, connect with those you do know, make appointments for
later to get to know them better.
Take a friend with you. A friend to support and
encourage you to move forward.
Get a networking buddy. This is someone who also has
a business they want to increase community awareness. This is great because you
can vouch for each other’s business, a testimonial.
Plan. What is in your networking toolbox? Great
Tip: 1. Bring up-to-date business cards 2. Flier to your next event or the
next networking event you are attending 3. Information about a nonprofit
organization you are promoting.
Be prepared. What are you going to say? How are you
going to keep the conversation going? Great Tip: 1. Learn about how to
start a conversation, open ended statements. 2. Prepare to talk about work related things
or what is in the news you think is interesting to others.
At the event:
Networking etiquette. The definition of etiquette is
the customary code of polite behavior among members of a particular
professional group. In this case, polite networking behavior. Great
Tip: 1. You can ask for other
people’s business card. 2. Only present your card when asked for it. 3. No speeches, spiels, presentations, or
selling 4. No negative talk, complaining or gossiping 5. Avoid politics,
religion, sex conversations 6. Say Hello
if someone is looking lost. 7. Invite others to join your conversation 8. No
swearing. 9. Dress conservatively, business attire. 9. Your best time will be
had when you make a new friend so look for someone you feel a connection to.
Practice. Being around people you do know is not
always comfortable and being around those you do not is even harder sometimes. Consider
each networking event as a place to practice feeling more comfortable with
yourself and others. Great Tip: It is OK to say, “I don’t feel comfortable at
networking events”, chances are the person you are talking to will chime in
with the same.
After the event:
Reward yourself. Right after the networking event is
over, call a friend and let them know what a huge WIN you experienced by
attending a networking event. Great
Tip: 1. Share with your business acquaintances your great experiences and
invite 1-2 friends to attend the next networking event with you.
Follow up. When the event is over Connect with those
you met, thank them, then ask for a coffee appointment to get to know them
better. Great Tip: When you do go to your appointment spend the 1st
30 – 40 minutes listening to their business needs, before you introduce your
business.
Come join us at our next speed networking event and take your new networking tools for a spin!
http://entrepreneurwomen.online
#mentoringwomenworks #womenmoveforward
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