December and January are great months of the year to network as many holiday events are held and the mood is typically festive. Recently, I read a Forbes.com article by Darrah Brustein titled 16 Quick Tips to Become a Better Networker.
Darrah provided a non-recruiter perspective of networking. I thought her list was crisp and clear and explained well the value of networking. You will find below the five tips from her article that I believe are great reminders of how to effectively network your way through the holidays:
- Remember that at a networking event, everyone is there meet new people.
Going alone and walking up to strangers is the point. Everyone has some apprehension. Take the initiative. - Ask, “Why should they care?”
Do you know how to describe yourself or your business in one sentence that demonstrates some value to the listener, not couched in industry-speak? Or, can you explain it so that they might be interested in continuing the conversation? Example: I help people to . . . - Ask questions that are deeper than, “What do you do?”
When possible, begin conversations with questions about someone personally, not necessarily their profession. Get to know them and attempt to find commonalities. They will tend to remember those conversations best. - Remember their Rolodex.
The power of networking is the people your contacts know, not always your contact directly. Keep that in mind as you help guide people towards how to help connect you. - Listen more than you talk!
People love to talk about themselves, and you can’t learn about the other person if you’re doing all of the talking.
If you would like to read the entire article about the 16 Quick Tips to Become a Better Networker, click here.
Are there any other of the 16 tips that you have found effective while networking? Do you have any additional tips not listed in the article?
Best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season and a Prosperous New Year!
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