Are you networking correctly?
Don't make these top networking mistakes.
If your audience doesn’t know you, they can’t buy from you. It’s that simple.
So how do you spread the word about all the amazing things you have to offer? NETWORKING!
But networking isn’t just telling other people about yourself. If it’s done correctly, it should be so much more than that…
Networking should be a mutually beneficial relationship.
The person your networking with probably also has amazing things to offer. That’s a big reason why they’re connecting with you in the first place.
Whether you’re connecting at an in-person networking event or you’re just internet besties, it’s important to make sure you’re creating a strong relationship with your connections from the start.
Here are four networking mistakes to avoid (and what to do instead):
Talking too much.
Listen just as much as you’re talking. Get to know the person you’re connecting with. What do they do? What are they passionate about? What are their strengths? This is good for two reasons: it can help you better understand if they fit the mold of your target audience, and learning what they do can set you up to help them, too. (If you scratch their back, they’ll scratch yours…)
Selling too hard and too fast.
First of all, no one wants to start a conversation with a sales pitch. More importantly, if you just met this person, how do you even know if you can help them?
PRO TIP: Engage in genuine conversation first, and establish yourself as an expert by answering their questions or giving suggestions.
Focusing on quantity, not quality.
Networking isn’t a popularity contest. Focus on creating a handful of very strong connections, not hundreds of superficial ones.
Not following up.
Just like your personal relationships, professional relationships take work to maintain. Connect with your network on LinkedIn, comment on their posts, and check in with them once in a while. This will show that you genuinely care about the connection AND it keeps you in the back of their mind.
When done correctly, networking can be one of the most powerful tools for growing your business. Be genuine, be polite, and be yourself.
I’ll be talking more about networking dos and don’ts on Facebook live today at noon CT. Join my Facebook group to listen and learn, or catch the reply if you can’t make it!