Are there contacts or types of people you would like to know but haven’t had the opportunity? Make of list of those people and do a bit of homework. Research what events, industry groups, or publications they are aligned with. Find out where they might be appearing or possibly garner their contact info from an industry article. Being involved and reaching out takes initiative but you will be amazed at the doors it might open.
Know Yourself and Be
Yourself
Have a define plan of what you want to get out of your
actions. Create a brief elevator speech about who you are and where you are
hoping to go. This is useful for any
introduction situation whether at a networking event, a business
meetings, or other life events. Remember to
be yourself. Be prepared with conversation starters such as "what brought you to today's event". Relax and let the conversation flow naturally.
Follow Up
Do what you say you will and follow through on
your word. If you said you would email
someone that recent article or send their contact info along to one of your contacts, have the
integrity to do what you say. This
builds your credibility and respect within your network.
Build Relationships
Now that you added these contacts to your network, connected via LinkedIn, or signed up for their blog, be sure to stay in contact. Check in occasionally and ask how they are
doing or what projects they are working on. These are relationships where
you should invest time to strengthen the connection.
Building a strong professional network can help you achieve your
career goals. You will have resources to
bounce ideas off of or our offer solutions when challenges arise. Take time to invest in
cultivating these relationships and reap the rewards!
