Business networking here in the Triangle and across North Carolina is very important if you are seeking new career opportunity, building a small business, or looking for strategic partners. As important as it is to network with success, it is not easy to do it well. In this area, many people are new. And they must network to get opportunity. Although there are a number of local networking events (like Inside 919) here in the Raleigh area, Apex, Wake Forest, and Cary among others; it takes some planning on your part to make the most of the contacts you will meet and the time you will spend meeting them. Start with visibility at the Insider Coffee Breaks, the Big Lunch, and Third Thursdays.

Many professionals are coming from the corporate world and are new at networking. As a sign of success, they simply count the number of business cards they have given out and received, or how many individuals they shook hands with at the event. But it goes deeper than that; here are some proven strategies:

• Be yourself: Unless you have very serious character flaws, being genuine does wonders in an initial meeting or conversation. First impressions are everything.
• Show confidence: Although meeting strangers at a networking event can be stressful for some, a solid level of professional confidence can go a long way at being remembered.
• Give positive opinions: Everything that can be said can be said in a positive way. People tend to avoid and walk away from negativity.
• Be articulate: Knowing your business is very important. And presenting knowledgeable views on your current business focus, blended with some current affairs, will create the opportunity for solid conversation.
• Know when to stop: Discretion when conversing with people is very important. Nobody wants to hear a complete life story in any single networking scenario.
• Dress for success: Although you should not wear a tux and tails or a ball gown to a after hours’ chamber event, it is critical that you do not look like you just finished cutting the lawn; business casual goes a long way.
• Asking for help: This is a mistake many networking professionals make when they meet someone sympathetic to a person’s situation. Build a relationship over time and earn the right to ask for advice.
• Say thank you and follow up: If someone makes an impression or you want to continue a relationship, drop an e-mail or a card in a short note of thanks.Remember that not every single person you meet will need or want a thank you.
• Document all networking activity: Putting a few notes together about people, ideas and discussions are a good thing. Make sure you date it. Later networking events might have the same people in them, and it would be a good idea to remember a name and what happened.
• E-Strategy:It is perfectly okay to check and see if the individual you are chatting with is on Twitter, Linked-In, and Business Facebook. Twitter is a sound tool for developing professional relationships and Linked-in has simply set the standard for connections. If they have a business, find it and like it on Facebook.

Being yourself, and being consistent are critical goals in networking. Business is built on relationships. Follow every opportunity.
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Photo Credit: lookacute.com

Jim Vogel’s Posts – The 919 Business Network – Local Business Networking