10 Tips for Successful Business Networking

1. Be you
Networking is about being genuine, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help and work with others.

2. What are your goals?
Determine what you want to achieve from attending networking events. Some meetings are based more on learning, making contacts, and/or volunteering rather than on strictly making business connections.

3. A numbers game.
Visit as many networking groups as possible in your area. Ask yourself if you are made to feel comfortable? Could you see yourself working with any other attendees? Is the group organised well?

4. Volunteer.
This is a great way to get involved and make yourself known with new people and give back to groups that have helped you.

5. Who, what, where, when, how?
Ask open ended questions in networking conversations instead of those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. This will encourage the discussion to flow and will show you are interested.

6. Be Powerful.
When you are known as a strong resource, people will remember you for future plans, ideas, names of other people, etc. This keeps you visible to them.

7. Know your pitch.
Be clear about what you do and why, for whom, and what makes you/your business different from others.

8. How can others help you?
Too often people in conversations ask, “How may I help you?” and no immediate answer comes to mind, think about what you want from people.

9. Follow up right now.
When people give you referrals, follow them up and do so swiftly. Respect and honor recommendations given and you will build your network quickly.

10. Make the most of the connections you made.
Show that you enjoyed meeting them, and see if they are interested in getting together and sharing ideas.

For more information about networking events at The Social Care Exchange please get in touch at events@socialcare.exchange

Alternatively if you would like to hold a networking event at The Social Care Exchange please get in touch at info@socialcare.exchange .