Networking Tips to Build Your Business
What is networking? Is it about the mass collection of business cards? Is it about filling your social calendar? Networking isn’t so much about working a room but rather about building meaningful long-term relationships. But how can someone find the time to meet new people, explore business opportunities and learn what’s happening in the Twin Cities marketing, communications, advertising or PR communities with the demands of daily life always being a reality?
Attend the Alphabet Bash where you have the opportunity to meet hundreds of creative professionals and build connections that will last a lifetime.
How do you become skilled at networking?
- Have a positive attitude. It sounds cliché, but if you go in expecting to meet the right people, you will
- Have a plan; know who you want to meet and where they gather (i.e. all the fabulous marketing and communications professionals at the Alphabet Bash!)
- Relax and be comfortable with the process
- Polish your personal style
- Take notes of who you met and enter them in your database
- Follow-up after meeting with an email, note or call
- Find out how you can help others be successful
How to perfect the science:
- Have enough cards, and have them everywhere! Purse, wallet, pocket, car
- Arrive early and stay late, so you make the most of your networking occasion
- Have a succinct and thoughtful 30-second commercial (to respond to “What do you do?”)
- Don't fill your time by chatting with co-workers
- Beware of holding both food and drink, it makes it difficult to shake hands or give a business card
- Approach people who are standing alone
- “I thought I would come over and say hello”
- Approach informal groups
- “I'm here to meet new people. Do you mind if I join you?”
- Show an interest in others
- “What is your specialty? …your area of expertise? What do you do? What is your connection to this group?”
- Repeat their name
