Networking is an indispensable skill for making mutually beneficial connections. Whether you want to advance your career, build your own business, or find mentors, networking is the bridge that can get you there. Much more than racking up online connections, networking is about building meaningful relationships that can open doors and create opportunities. Let’s explore the art of networking and discover tips to help you build connections that count.
What is Networking?
Networking is a strategic and intentional effort to form mutually beneficial connections and relationships, both personally and professionally. It can boost personal and career development, as strong, lasting connections can open doors, provide insights, and foster a sense of belonging within like-minded associates and communities.
The Purpose of Networking
Before delving into how to network, it’s worth stating its purpose and how you can get the most out of it. Networking isn’t solely about self-promotion or immediate gains. It’s about creating a mutually beneficial relationship where both parties can offer something valuable. Whether you’re seeking advice, collaboration, mentorship, or career opportunities, having a clear purpose will guide your networking efforts.
The Keys to Good Networking
The keys to effective networking lie in authenticity, active listening and engagement, and a genuine desire to support others. Building trust is critical in business relationships. Authentic interactions and meaningful connections are key to success in networking. Another important networking tip is to be consistent in your communication. You want to be the one who takes the initiative, makes the call, follows up, sets up the meeting, and does not expect the other to always initiate contact. Lastly, networking extends beyond immediate gains, so prioritise building long-term connections and relationships.
Top 10 Networking Tips to Build Better Connections
These tips can help you forge stronger and more enduring connections. If you feel you lack knowledge or skills in any area, you’ll find free course recommendations to help you succeed. Simply register at Alison.com and enrol today!
Be Authentic
Authenticity is the cornerstone of effective networking. People are more likely to connect with genuine individuals rather than those who put on an act. It’s also easy to tell when people aren’t being genuine, so be yourself and let your true personality shine through. This will help you build trust, a key component in building those meaningful connections.
Learn to Read Body Language
If you need help deciphering non-verbal communication, a course like Body Language in the Work Place will teach you how to read other people’s cues, how to improve your own body language and important do’s and don’t for networking events.
Build a Diverse Network
Don’t limit your networking efforts to people within your industry or profession. Expand your circle and reach out to individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, industries, and professional platforms. The broader your network, the more you can learn and grow. You also never know where that winning business opportunity will come from.
Learn to Grow Your Network
Business Networking Strategies – Learn about online and physical networking platforms, hone your ‘elevator pitch’, discover how to build connections that last and how to plan for networking success.
Be a Good Listener
Active listening is a key element to building strong connections. Maya Angelou nailed it when she said, people will forget what you did, but they won’t forget how you made them feel. Networking isn’t just about talking; it’s about listening. When speaking with others, ask open-ended questions and genuinely listen to their responses. Show interest in their experiences and opinions. Being a good listener not only helps you understand others better but also makes you a more memorable and valuable networker.
Master Listening Skills
Essential Soft Skills: Listening – Become that attentive listener that people enjoy conversing with, learn how to retain the information, improve your verbal and non-verbal communication skills and watch your network grow.
Offer Value
Successful networking is a two-way street. It’s a healthy give-and-take where you offer something to your connection and gain something from the relationship as well. Whether it’s sharing your expertise, making introductions, or providing support, offering value strengthens your relationships and makes people more willing to help you in return.
Master Mentoring Skills
Becoming a Mentor – Pick up useful skills for guiding others with this introductory course. It covers everything from motivation and communication tips to relating to people from diverse backgrounds and managing relationships through changes.
Networking Events and Follow Up
You don’t have to be at every industry and networking event on the calendar but attending networking events, both online and offline, are great ways to meet new people and enlarge your network community. Be strategic in choosing which events you will attend, find and prioritise those related to your field or interests, and try to attend them regularly. To ensure that your connections grow and flourish, practise strong follow-up skills. A personalised thank-you message, phone call or email is a powerful way to grow a relationship. Periodically check in with your network to maintain connectedness. Don’t leave it to the next chance encounter at an industry event but be intentional.
Understanding Etiquette
Corporate Social Skills and Etiquette – Step out with confidence and do away with guesswork with the help of this course. You’ll learn how to make a good first impression and how to comport yourself professionally in a variety of situations.
Leverage Social Media
Social media platforms like LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram can be powerful tools for networking – when used well. Create a compelling online presence that showcases your expertise and interests. Maintain professionalism in all you do online. Engage with others by sharing relevant content, commenting on their posts, sharing interesting articles, reports, and thought pieces, and connecting with them. TikTok is useful for networking for personal branding or connecting with like-minded creatives.
See Alison’s range of free online social media courses for insights on using:
Get a Mentor
Mentors and advisors can provide invaluable guidance and support in your personal and professional growth. Look for individuals who have achieved what you aspire to accomplish and approach them with a sincere request for mentorship or advice. Know what you want from the mentor-mentee relationship by asking targeted questions, doing the work, having goals, and continually learning.
No Mentor? Look Online
Whatever area of work your career takes you, you can supplement your training and learn invaluable skills with Alison’s free online courses. There are more than 6,000 to choose from, with more being added every week. Register and enrol for free to empower yourself with the help of our expert trainers.
Build an Attractive Resumé
Informal settings are the first point of contact between you and a potential network connection. Afterwards, you can present yourself on paper with your resumé. Utilise tools like Alison’s free Resumé Builder to craft a professional and attractive CV. Share it easily and confidently with your expanding network and existing contacts knowing it’s an eye-catching second chance to make a solid first impression.
Mastering the art of networking is a lifelong journey that requires patience, persistence and dedication. Building connections that count involves understanding the purpose of networking, being authentic, offering value, and cultivating a diverse network. Remember that networking is not just about what you can gain but also about what you can contribute. Step out of your comfort zone and meet new people, grab opportunities, and create meaningful relationships that will benefit you personally and professionally.
Further Courses
Enrol in these free online courses to study specific aspects of business networking:
- Strategic Networking for Sales Professionals – Master tactical and practical networking skills beyond the transactional approach with this short, certificate course. Topics include building and expanding your sales network, relationship building, leveraging technology, measuring ROI and cross-functional networking.
- Networking on LinkedIn – With over 850 million people and almost 60 million companies, LinkedIn is the leading networking platform for professionals. This course covers everything from forging the right kind of connections to using the platform’s tools like action buttons and search filters.
- Communication Skills – Group Work and Networking – Improve your communication skills and build stronger relationships with this university course. You’ll learn to understand different types of relationships, group dynamics, verbal and nonverbal communication, conflict resolution and networking skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is networking?
Networking is the process of building relationships with other people. It can be done in person, online, or through a combination of both. Effective networking is about building genuine connections with people who can help you achieve your goals. Learn more with Alison’s free online business networking courses today.
Q. What is the purpose of networking?
A. The purpose of networking is to build relationships with people who can help you achieve your goals. These goals could include finding a job, getting a promotion, starting a business, or simply learning new things.
Q. What are the keys to good networking?
A. The keys to good networking are authenticity, active listening, and a genuine desire to help others. It’s also important to be patient and persistent in your networking efforts. Enrol in one of Alison’s free online courses today to hone your networking skills.
