What is your best networking tip/advice?

Don't be salesy. Be yourself and have fun.

Besides, most people won't know the details of what you do or why you're better than anyone else at it. But everyone can judge character and values, and so you get further by simply being a helpful person.

Answered 11 months ago by Gerrit Betz

Hi Jen,

Networking can and should be a full-time job. What I mean by that is networking can happen anytime, anywhere so be prepared. How? Not by looking at every person you meet as a possible prospect, but as a person you could help in the true sense of the word - by listening, empathizing and assessing whether you can connect them with the right people from your network based on whatever needs they have. As Zig Zigler once said, the more people you help get what they want, the more you will get what you want.

Answered 11 months ago by John Wolforth

Hi Jen - hands down, the very best advice I've gotten is to buy the book, "Well-Connected" by Gordon Curtis. Its a quick read, and it's full of great advice that is very specific and also highly efficient. I've been networking on and off for many years and yet I learned a great deal about how to quickly build a great network, without spending a ton of time on it [as I have in the past.] Hope you find that helpful

Answered 11 months ago by Eric Wholley

If you haven’t already done so, make sure you create a website or blog for your company. It’s crucial for businesses to have websites in this day in age because it opens up a new avenue for communication.
To start off, it would be a good idea to look into cheap site builders that will get the job done, and will give you the freedom to edit the domain whenever you please.
Easy WebContent is a great tool to use. It’s a company that supports web editing and hosting. You can easily create your own website (no downloads necessary) or edit an existing one with the HTML Editor. Both are useful devices to create or update your website.
You’re also going to want to heighten you SEO’s (Search Engine Optimization) levels. This is how people will be directed to your site through search engines like Google or Bing. The more specific you are the better. EWC also has that built in for you, so you can choose the key words for each page that you add to your site. You can test out Easy WebContent’s site builder or the HTML editor with their free trial period. It’s definitely something that you should at least try. I know that it helped me!
www.easywebcontent.com

Answered 10 months ago by Miranda Everset

Another great book is "Never Eat Alone" by Keith Ferrazzi. It's an easy read and full of helpful tips.

My best advice is to ditch your Elevator Pitch when you're networking in favor of Conversation Starters. My article is here: http://www.improvandy.com/elevator-pitch/conversation-starters/

Happy Networking!

Answered 11 months ago by Andrew Winig

Get involved with an organization that "feels right" for you and take an active role on the Membership Committee. You get out of networking what you put in. This will raise your profile in the group, facilitate getting to know membership, and position you for adding new members and helping them get to know membership. You'll be amazed at the returns this investment makes!

Answered 11 months ago by Nick Rodites

Great question Jen! I find many people don't have a primary objective when they network and therefore aren't able to maximize their networking. If you know what you are trying to accomplish share it with the host/hostess of the events you attend. They can help connect you with the people that you are there to find. This gets your goal achieved far faster than "shotgunning" as most people do.

Answered 11 months ago by Dino Eliadis

I am not sure if Greenhornconnect is only in Boston are or your's too... check it out and maybe you can ask them about your area.

Answered 11 months ago by Massi Ravasi