The key point of networking is to expand your horizons by meeting people you may like and may work with in future. Few people do it well and most hate the concept. Having spent my life and career enjoying networking, I am still learning about it from daily interaction with others. And the Covid epidemic has fundamentally changed how people view social interaction: Some are still hesitant about socialising while others are keener than ever to be out and about. Whatever your approach, here are a few tips.
Where to start?
When you are invited to a meeting, event or party, say yes. Do not hesitate, reply instantly to say you’d love to come if you are free. Never cancel something if you get a better offer, you will be found out in the end.
Then what?
Having said yes, make sure you attend. It is disappointing for the host if people don’t come and will colour their view of you in future. Unless you are at death’s door of course. If that is the case, send a note, flowers or a small gift to apologise then you will be remembered in a positive way. Don’t call when they are busy making the last-minute arrangements or in the middle of the event as you will leave the opposite impression.
The day itself
On stepping into the room, smile and look for someone to talk to. You can start with your host to thank them for inviting you. The easiest option is then to find someone standing alone or an “open” pair. This is not people who are nose-to-nose and deep in conversation with each other, it is people who are standing side-by-side or angled slightly and whom it is easy to approach.
What do I say?
Hello and your name is a good start. Find out who they are, and ask what drew them to the event, how they know the organiser. Then it is just a question of finding common ground. It can be anything from a common area of work interest to a hobby like gardening or rugby. Sex, politics and religion are dangerous territory unless you are a seasoned networker so best to steer clear.
Why bother?
You are making new connections, which may be helpful to you or even just fun. We all need friends, support and sometimes we need input from someone with a different skillset or from a different profession. Every contact has some value, even if it is just to think to yourself “not my cup of tea”. I tend to write a note on the back of their business card if I have promised to follow up in some way. If you do this, make sure you do what you said you would do. It is an easy way of differentiating yourself as so few people are organised enough to do so.
Business cards
Take them with you, always have them to hand. You don’t have to give them out but it can be extremely helpful to collect a card from a new contact so that you can make notes and follow up with them directly.
Distinguishing yourself
Almost everyone I know and love is a lawyer. Probably because I have mostly worked within the legal profession and some of them are my best friends. But they wear black ALL THE TIME. I understand it is the only colour you can wear in Court but I hate it for any other occasion for the following reasons:
- It’s worn at funerals
- Not many people look good in it. Except Monica Belucci and Antonio Banderas
- It didn’t do Queen Victoria any favours
Bright colours are a great way to mark yourself out as different. A contrasting jacket, blouse or a bright scarf, vivid lipstick, these are all ways to add a dash of style and make you more memorable. For men you can wear a memorable tie, bold suiting or lining.
Bad networking
If you have followed up with a new contact and they have not responded, even to an invitation, just leave it. It’s not a good idea to stalk someone, however nice you thought they were.
How to say goodbye
This is the easy bit. So lovely to meet you, I’ll be in touch. And then make sure you do. And don’t be the last to leave. No one notices when guests slip away but they do notice when you outstay your welcome.
Taking it further, if you enjoy networking you can organise events yourself. I set up a network for senior professional women in 1999 once I noticed fewer and fewer women in meetings the more senior I became. It’s called the Ladies’ Dining Club and it’s for wonderful women I like and admire, and it is less about dining than meeting, trading ideas and enjoying ourselves. You don’t have to go to these lengths, but you can enjoy networking if you adjust your attitude and make the most of it.
Justine Edelman is founder of handyside.legal, a legal directories submissions platform that supports barristers chambers and law firms. Justine can be reached by email: justine@jlemarketing.co.uk.
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