Networking 101

Networking is an art – but one that everyone can master with a few simple techniques and even the most reluctant can usually be encouraged to have a go! Here are our 10 top tips for effective networking...

Build relationships

Networking is not about handing over your business card and moving on. It’s about asking questions and listening to gather knowledge and intelligence and letting people get to know you so that you can gain some insight into common interests and issues.

Be pitch ready

You want to make sure people remember you. Make sure you have a simple, succinct one liner about who you are and what you do.

Be prepared

Whether a networking event is free or costs £1000, you want to make sure that it is a useful experience. Think about why you are going and what you would ideally like to get out of it. If you know in advance who is going to be there, identify the people you would particularly like to meet and why and have some questions ready.

Stand out from the crowd

Stories are powerful tools to get people to remember you. Think of an interesting story about yourself or your work that would make someone want to know more.

Give something back

Networking is about sharing and helping each other. Keep your eyes and ears open for gems of intelligence and share it with people you’ve met. If you spot a useful article or weblink don’t keep it to your yourself. Think about who else would find it interesting and send it to them.

Keep in touch

Real networking isn’t about meeting people and then forgetting about them. It’s about making and nurturing contacts that could be a great help to you throughout your life. Follow up your contacts immediately but be creative and send them a useful article or details about another event they might enjoy.

Don’t be shy

Get in touch with people you want to get to know and ask if you can pick their brains about a particular topic.

Start your own network

One way to keep in touch with lots of people is to set up your own networking group. This could be a virtual network using online tools or a simple, informal get together. Invite a mixture of people you have met in the past six months so they can network with each other. Or it could be a small group of your colleagues who meet up regularly to support each other.