The Best Networking Advice We've Learned (so far)!
In the Customized Training department, here at Clackamas Community College we are fortunate to be able to get out into the community and meet with business leaders who are working hard to grow their organizations and make an impact. Along the way, we've gained valuable insights and discovered strategies to elevate our networking game. Now we want to share some of them with you.
Set Goals - Define what you want to achieve, whether it’s meeting a specific person, learning about an industry trend, or expanding your connections. Even if you don’t know who will be in attendance, you can be thinking about the type of person or business where a connection would make sense. Also, pay attention and make a mental note during group introductions about who you want to approach.
Arrive Early - Being one of the first attendees allows you to have more meaningful conversations before the room gets crowded and loud. Grab a drink, find a good spot where you can see people entering, make eye contact and say hello.
Perfect Your Elevator Pitch - Have a concise, engaging way to introduce yourself and your work. The key points to make are, who you are, what you do and why it matters. You should also make it natural and adaptable to different conversations. Sometimes it will make sense to add a call to action, suggesting a meeting or connecting on LinkedIn. But be careful not to push for the quick “sale”. Building a lasting relationship will benefit you more in the long run.
Be a Good Listener - Networking isn’t just about talking; it’s about building relationships. Ask questions, show interest, and let others share about themselves. It no surprise to anyone that people like talking about themselves and feeling like what they do and what they have to say matters. Plan ahead with some good ways to start a conversation that aren’t just “where do you work?”. Ask them if they go to a lot of networking events. If they do, ask them which ones they think are the best and why. You might learn about an event you would like to attend. When the event is over, jot down a few details about people you meet (on the back of their business card or in your phone) to personalize your follow-up.
Use Social Media to Enhance Connections – Engage with attendees after the event on LinkedIn or other relevant platforms. Commenting on posts or sharing insights can strengthen relationships. Send an email, especially if you have information to share with them that they were interested in during your conversation.
Our final piece of advice is for those who might be reluctant to go to networking events. Go! That's it. Just go. It gets easier every time you do it, and you may actually find yourself looking forward to it.