etworking is a pain in the butt. Personally, I hate it. If I’m at an event, I usually find someone non-business related to talk to and then I spend the whole evening making a new BFF in the corner and not getting on the radar of the people I really should be connecting with. I’m just not good at it. I love meeting new people, I’m just terrible at having contrived conversations about business but over the years I’ve developed a few habits that help me network like a ninja… here’s how you can do it too!
Start before you need it
One of my pet hates as an online entrepreneur is when people cold email me out of the blue and ask me to help them promote something. If I receive an email that doesn’t contain my name and comes from someone I’ve never heard of, it’s highly unlikely I’m going to respond favourably, if at all. I recently received an excellent pitch from an illustrator who wanted to do a portrait of me and hopefully have me share her work on my social media profiles. Her pitch was excellent, it wasn’t the first time she’d contacted me (she’d commented on a few of my Instagram photos and my Facebook page), her email was personal and direct and she even self referentially acknowledged the fact that she was a bit cheeky in emailing to ask for a favour. I was totally won over, I said yes, she did the portrait, I love it and I’ve shared it multiple times on my networks. This is an excellent example of effective networking. She got on my radar first, she offered me something of value and her pitch was precise and friendly. Win.
Be generous
You need to be reciprocal with your time. If you’re going around asking for mentoring advice from professionals that are higher up the food chain than you are, you need to make sure that you’re passing that forward to other professionals who might need your help. Don’t let the chain of help stop with you.
Never underestimate anyone
If someone asks you (directly, politely and through the correct avenues) for help you don’t always have to help but it’s important to be polite. For example I asked a PR I met a few years ago to help me get sponsorship for a conference and although it didn’t work out she took the time to try to get the sponsorship across the line, was very supportive and encouraging and we stayed in touch. A few years later that same person asked me sign onto her blogging agency and I didn’t hesitate. We’ve since worked very happily and profitably together for years as a result of being very nice to each other back when we weren’t of much use to each other.
Pay attention and pre-plan
You need to be pretty switched on in the professional world or you’ll get left behind. You know that scene in the Devil Wears Prada when Andi has to learn and remember all the names for Miranda at the party? Yep. Do that. It seems extreme but if you remember someone’s name, they will remember yours forever.
Follow up
If you had an amazing conversation with someone at an event, make sure you grab their email address and follow up. I also make a point to tell people about something cool, so I have a good reason to follow up with them next day. My mate Sonia pulled this off beautiful when Kirsty Clements came to Adelaide for an event. She told her about an amazing place to each lunch the next day, emailed her to follow up and Kirsty invited her to join her for lunch. Major win.
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How are you at networking? Do you need more practice? Or do you have it down pat?
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28 Comments
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Absolutely terrible at it. I’ll definitely be implementing these tips at ProBlogger, thanks Carly! X
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Excellent! I’m fine talking to people I’m just terrible about making useful business connections.
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All great points. I agree networking is hard and even more difficult if you are a freelancer and don’t have the social benefits of a workplace. It’s always a good idea to have BUSINESS CARDS so that your contact details are easily accessed. Thanks Carly x
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I’m so slack with carrying around my business cards! Another thing I need to get better at!
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Great tips! I’m also not a fan of networking but know it’s super important especially making the effort to go to an event. Hiding in the corner is such a waste 🙂 the more I go to them the more confident I feel.. Kind of haha
I shall come say hi if I see you at Problogger!-
Oh please do! I have bitchy resting face but don’t let that put you off! I’m super friendly! x
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That is so well written! I too hate networking. But I love chatting!! I like your idea of a soft approach. More genuine then because you have actually taken the time to get to know them. I think that’s respectful – especially if you want something from them. I’m going to Problogger and as much as I know it has the potential to be wonderful, it scares the crap out of me that for two entire days I am going to have to initiate conversations with people I either don’t know, or only know virtually. But I’m a big girl and this is the real world LOL…
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That’s totally it! Sometimes you just have to put your big kid pants on and get on with it. I have to pep talk myself a lot too. Even though I’m pretty bubbly it’s very exhausting!
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Great tips. You described me! I love meeting new people however often I’ll meet one or two and then spend the whole event talking to those couple of people – it just feels so contrived otherwise. I find the hardest part of networking making the exit from the conversation – cleanly and politely – it’s always awkward for me!
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Oh yes! That’s a great one! I always do the ‘I need to duck to the bathroom!’ that tends to work quite well.
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Thanks for the great tips Carly! I definitely get shy at networking events, however, I am pretty excited about attending Problogger and will be working through my shyness. I look forward to attending your presentation.
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Oh thank you that’s so lovely of you! We’re so looking forward to Problogger – make sure you come up and say hi! x
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I was at my first Blogging event on the weekend, and I was so totally blown away by who was in the room, I didn’t really manage to network at all. These tips will be really helpful for me, thank you.
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Oh totally! You do get used to that after a while. That’s why you need to go to lots and lots of events!
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I’m absolutely terrible at it, my best networking Ninja impersonation would be escaping out a side door (hopefully without setting off an alarm) to let my inner introvert have a few minutes to compose herself. I’m definitely someone who relates better one on one or in small groups so thanks for the great tips to get myself focused for my next event which I guess will be Problogger – yay!
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Oh you’ll be great at Problogger! It’s always a little bit intimidating the first time around but it’s so much fun. Just never be shy about going up to people – everyone is really friendly!
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I am a networking fail on legs but I’m working on it. I love these top tips and will be able to put some of them to good use at Problogger!
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Ha! Networking fail on legs! Love it! We can just hang in the corner at Problogger and not talk about blogging. 🙂
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There is also another thing I don’t do enough but have never regretted doing and that’s sending an email to people when you notice something great about what they are doing, or who you just want to tell them you really like what they are doing.
I have sent bloggers emails in the past when I just really loved reading their blogs. I had been commenting like normal, but just wanted to also tell them how I thought they were great writers, or interesting etc.
I have never met most of them, but I feel like we have a friendship, and should we meet at a conference or event one day, it will be an easy convo to start up. You can do this with industry contacts/colleagues too.
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Totally! I’ve been doing that for years – that’s how Chantelle from Fat Mum Slim and I became mates. We started email each other like 7 years ago about random things (like her giving up diet coke!) and it made our real life meeting for the first time so much easier.
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I try to send random messages to people when I get the vibe they aren’t quite themselves but also try to share the love as much as possible. My memory is shocking but my manners aren’t so that helps a bit too! xx
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Oh that’s a lovely idea! I should implement that more often!
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Another point I would make is that networking isn’t about “she who collects the most business cards wins”. As you have said, it is about meaningful relationships that build over time. I once had a lady at a networking event force me on anyone at the event who had anything at all to do with kids. It was so awkward! I have so many thoughts that one comment box can’t contain but great post!!
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Super tips Smags! Especially like start before you need it!
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Great advice. I think it is nice to be kind to everyone and realistically you never know when you will meet that person again or under what circumstances. Six degrees of separation and all of that.
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I suck so much at networking, but getting better every time I go to a new event (i hope)
Looking forward to using some of these tips for Problogger. Hope to see you there and have a chat 😉x Luciana
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I’m really good at networking for everyone else. ‘Oh, you should meet my friend, such-and-such, they do blah blah’. I’m too shy to plug myself in person, much better on the phone or by email.
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