8 Tips to Becoming a Power Networker

I am an introvert. 

 

I can do a lot, and enjoy a lot, by myself. So you can imagine how awkward it was for me when I found out about networking. 

 

I remember my first networking event. It was very uncomfortable, but I weathered the storm, and I survived. Through the years, I have come to understand  that one of the most valuable professional tools anybody can have is their network, the relationships you have forged with other people. 

 

In a super honest research article published on Harvard Business Review the authors remind us that truly effective networking is about learning about what others are about, identifying potential collaborators with common interests, and an opportunity to serve others. While networking can clearly benefit your career path, it’s even more fruitful when it becomes about what you can give and how you can serve.

 

Even though I have spent time networking online, through social media and email, I am convinced that nothing can replace the personal element of face-to-face connection.

 

That said, I hear from most of my peers that they hate the idea of networking events. Some have even wished those would have gone away for good during the pandemic. But nope, in-person networking is coming back, and God willing, it will not go away any time soon.

 

My goal this time around is to become a power networker and create strong personal and professional relationships for the long run. 

 

Here are some common sense — but not common practice — tips to becoming a power networker:

8 Tips to Becoming a Power Networker

1. 1. Find out in advance who will be attending. Get clear on who you want to connect with before the event

   2. Share more than just your business cards. I don’t even carry those anymore. Be prepared with a sentence or two that clearly describes who you are and what you do in less than 30 seconds. Don’t be cute and clever with slogans or branded phrases.  Instead, be clear and to the point.

   3. Take notes. If you decide to take business cards, take a few seconds to make a note on the back of the card so that you remember who that person was. This information comes in handy when you send them a follow-up note later on or the next day. Power tip – Don’t wait to write things down at the end of the event; do it in the moment.. I tell the person, “let me write that down so that I remember you later on.”

   4. Connect on Social Media. If any speakers interest you, connect with them on social media and let them know that you are looking forward to meeting or hearing from them.

   5. Get there early! You might be thinking that it is ok to be fashionably late. It is not. Arriving early allows you to meet at least one person when it’s less crowded; it will enable you to check out the venue and even help the organizer out. 

   6. Be aware of how you are showing up. Watch your body language and posture. Stand tall and with an open mind. Avoid being too aggressive or too closed-off. Ease into it!

   7. Strategize your location. If you are comfortable with the idea of talking to many people instead of one or two at a time, then the best locations for you are high-traffic areas such as the main door, the bar, or near the food.

   8. Never underestimate the power of a thank-you note. Gratitude is key. Taking time to say thank you will set you apart and make your exchange more meaningful. 

That wasn’t so bad! Business networking doesn’t have to be torturous or complicated, and if you are going to embrace it, it’s worth doing it right. Networking done well will help you grow your business and your career.

 

I am still an introvert, but now I am an introvert with a mission to continually create a network that I can serve and one that will support me as I grow in my professional life. 

 

How about you? Have any tips you’d like to share? Let me know! I’d love to learn from you.

 

With love,

Mari Carmen

 

 

P.S. Interested in working with Mari Carmen LIVE (that’s me!) at her next event? Consider attending the International Women’s Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, November 1-3. This event is like no other. It is an intensive, three-day experience for high-performing women executives to develop their influence and performance habits.

If this resonates with you let’s chat! Call 888-412-0197 or email [email protected] for a FREE no-obligation consult.