Here are some tips to help you overcome two of the most common barriers to networking success.
There are many people who can’t help feeling a little anxious when contemplating the need to network in order to promote themselves and their business. The process of networking can make people step quite far out of their comfort zone!
Whilst there are many reasons why people feel nervous, there are a couple of barriers holding people back, that are so common and are surely recognised by many readers!
You want to try out a new group, but you don’t know anyone there!
Well, you are not alone! Everyone who networks has to find a way to deal with this situation when they first join a new group.
You will find that some hosts are more aware of this ‘problem’ than others and may welcome you personally and introduce you to someone else when you first arrive.
As hosts of women’s networking events, my colleague and I are more than happy for people to let us know prior to the event if they are new to networking! Whilst our events are faciliated and meeting other business women is made easy for you anyway, most hosts at other events will help you to meet other group members, if asked.
Once at the meeting you can also try and find other people who appear not to know anyone either. They may not be ‘mixing and mingling’ much and are observing more from the sideline.
Another good way is to find people to talk to, is to make your way to the bar or the food/ buffet area, if there is one. Invariably there will people waiting to be served, who you could start a conversation with!
You would be Ok with approaching someone, if only you knew what to say!
It’s probably best to reserve any rehearsed introduction or elevator speech for later. Much better to start off by asking the other person open questions.
These are questions that begin with ‘what, when, how’ type of question words and require a longer answer than a simple ‘yes’, or ‘no’. “Excuse me, how are these meetings organised? This is my first visit to this group.” Once a conversation has started, people will invariably introduce themselves and tell each other what they do.
Asking questions goes hand in hand with good listening skills!
Try to listen very carefully in order to be able to ask the right questions. Allowing the interaction to develop in this way makes it flow more naturally and enables you to find out if there is any synergy between you. Synergy will not develop from a simple exchange of business cards, but a process of getting to know each other and discovering what you may have in common.
Whilst these are very simple relationship building tools, practising them all the time, even at social events will stand you in good stead when it comes to networking…. anywhere!
Ute Wieczorek-King is a Business/Career Coach, Trainer, Facilitator and host of Success Network meetings and Inner Circle Business Clubs.
More top tips and articles can be found on the article page of the Success Network website
