In today’s business world, who you know is just as important as what you know to be successful. Networking skills are an emerging and pivotal asset in career growth and personal development. Whether you find yourself in a busy conference room or navigating virtual meetings, the ability to connect with others in any situation is a powerful skill that opens doors and creates new opportunities.
Polished networking skills are paramount to lasting impressions and establishing mutually beneficial relationships with other professionals. The ability to forge genuine connections with individuals from a range of backgrounds and industries can expand your worldview and enhance your personal development. Opportunities are available everywhere and broadening your network is one of the most effective ways to access and instigate them.
Having a substantial network of professionals from different industries gives you a well-rounded perspective for personal development and can turn into access to opportunities. You can leverage those, later on, to help your business grow and succeed.
Networking skills when it comes to online events are somewhat different to in-person. Traditionally, networking events take place in person, with vibrant gatherings of professionals eager to exchange ideas and business opportunities. However, since the outbreak of the global pandemic, everyone has needed to adapt to virtual environments. While their fundamentals remain the same, it is crucial to understand the subtle differences between in-person and online networking to maximize the results you receive from both.
Networking skills: Events in person
Exude confidence, listening actively, and engaging authentically are all key to building genuine connections in in-person networking. While trust is not something that can be earned overnight, it can withstand the test of time and serve you when you least expect it. By nurturing connections into meaningful relationships, you can build trust and lay the foundation for long-term partnerships and future collaborations. You can achieve that by discussing shared interests, finding out more about their hobbies, gauging their sense of humor, and asking about proudest moments. When you go beyond what their profession is, you effectively showcase your genuine interest in them, and that you are keen to get to know them.
Authenticity breeds trust, opening the pathway to collaboration and mutually beneficial relationships. Once you establish the connection, it is crucial to consistently nurture and advance its development in the appropriate direction. Staying in touch with people you met during events is one of the most essential steps to take after attending networking events. Spark conversation with a simple follow-up message and keep the connection growing. Check out our insights on mastering your message impact here.
Excelling in Online Networking
Whether you’re completely new to the game, or you need a refresh, we’ll show you how to develop your networking skills to take online by storm.
As virtual networking is becoming the new norm, opportunities to connect with professionals globally are at your disposal. So where should you start with your online networking skills?
LinkedIn, renowned as one of the most popular and impactful online networking platforms, offers tremendous opportunities for connecting with a diverse range of individuals. It serves as an excellent progression from attending online events, as it provides a powerful platform to expand your network further. Utilizing LinkedIn’s potential can greatly enhance your ability to establish valuable connections and foster meaningful professional relationships.
Keeping an active profile on LinkedIn is essential to begin making a name for yourself in this online space. Not only will you increase your visibility and chance of being seen by prospective clients and investment opportunities, but you can also build your credibility as a trustable and knowledgeable source for others. Listing your relevant qualifications, experience, and accomplishments in your profile will demonstrate your expertise, and including a professional profile picture presents you as invested and approachable.
Improve your networking skills with BNI52
Join our networking group and be part of a vibrant community where we uplift and empower one another to achieve collective growth. If you seek a diverse network of professionals who share similar aspirations, seize this chance to propel your business forward. Discover unparalleled opportunities that will enhance your brand image and drive sustainable success. Don’t let this valuable experience pass you by.
u were attentive and listened to them carefully, but it is also a great way to continue the conversation.
Keep it short – The first message you send after networking events should be concise and clear in its purpose. You want to make sure your new connection reads everything and feels compelled to respond back.
Lead with value – As we mentioned in one of our previous blogs, networking should never be just about selling. Leading with value is what ultimately connects people with your brand. You need to be very clear on what talents and skills you can bring to the table to help them and also reflect on what you recognized would be beneficial to you. This will create a mutual connection for you both.
Politeness and sincerity are key – Once you have communicated your interest in maintaining an ongoing professional relationship, express your gratitude and thank your recipient for their time. It is an important addition to any follow-up message from your networking events. This way you show your recipient how much you value them and appreciate the opportunity to connect with them. Even if you already thanked them in person, reiterating your gratitude is a kind gesture that will only help you create a more approachable and friendly image.
The final touch, sign your follow-up message – Signing your email or LinkedIn message will ensure the follow-up feels professional and personal. You need your message to sound warm and approachable while maintaining that professional relationship so make sure not to skip this step after networking events. Sign-offs such as ‘kind regards’, ‘best wishes’, or ‘enjoy your week’ are both common courtesy and recognised for their friendly tone.
Take your follow-up message after networking events to the next level
Your follow-up message after networking events might be the key to landing a new partnership, customer, or business partner. This is why it’s important to reach out to the new connections you made during networking events, to foster the relationship, demonstrate your value, and express gratitude. The power of a well-structured and planned follow-up message is often underestimated so make sure you invest your time on ensuring it is right for the recipient and enjoy seeing how your network grows.
If you are looking for a new diverse group of wonderful business people, who are driven to create the right circumstances to help each other grow their businesses, you need to join us. Get in touch with us today and experience the unique opportunities that will help you scale.