3 Secrets to Networking Success
Secret
#1
Be likable. Be
friendly. Be polite. Be kind. Go out of your way to help and serve.
Do more than people expect. Genuinely care about other people. If
you can do this with sincerity, with heart, then you will be on
your way to being a powerful networking expert. At the same time,
be mindful not to let people who are going nowhere, who have no
motivation or sense of urgency take up a lot of your time. This is
a very fine line to walk and a tactful balancing act which you need
to perfect.
Secret #
2
Improve your
communication. How you communicate with others is vital. Are you
articulate? Are you interesting? Do you take a sincere interest in
others? Do you stand tall, lean forward and listen intently when
someone is talking to you? Do you give them your absolute, complete
and undivided attention? Do you treat everyone as if they are a
million dollar client? Do you have good eye contact? Your most
vital networking skill is to listen intently.
Body language
also communicates―your smile, your posture, how you stand, how you
move. Be aware of your vocal intonation as well, voice fluctuation,
enunciation. Concentrate on communicating that you are interesting
and interested with your body language and your energy.
Secret #
3
Invest time
with others. The goal of networking is to form long-term
affiliations. You want to create relationships that last, that are
first based on getting to know the person, who they are is so much
more than what they do. Find out their dreams, their interests,
what is important to them. Dig in. Really know who people are and
find their brand of uniqueness, and you will create more than
business connections, you will create friendships. Friends help
each other and refer business to each other. A connection based on
trust, respect and friendship will last.
