How to Get the Most Out of Networking

Networking is one of those valuable resources that can benefit someone that’s looking for a job to a marketer hoping to grow a business. According to the Riley Guide, networking is consistently cited as the number one way to get a new job. For companies, the goal is to increase exposure, but it also involves helping other businesses in return. Networking is all about forming and maintaining relationships.

Building a solid network can be extremely advantageous to a company. If you’re a company in town looking to market your business or if you’re simply interested in advancing personally or uncovering new job opportunities, here are some tips to help Powegians get the most out of their networking efforts:

• Determine what’s out there: Poway is a small niche community and the majority of the business transactions come from people in the region. That’s why it’s important for those enterprises to place great emphasis on business development and attend some of the nearby events. Some local groups to check out around town include the Poway Chamber of Commerce, Poway Rotary, Poway Business Park Association, San Diego North Chamber of Commerce, and Rancho Bernardo Business Association. If you’re looking for a specific event that targets certain individuals, do some research before joining so you get a feel for the people who are involved and typically attend.
• Develop a solid pitch: Almost everyone is familiar with the elevator pitch. It’s essentially a brief 30-second summary that describes the company, products or services offered and value proposition. It’s extremely important for individuals to take time to carefully craft this message so when they’re put on the spot, they’re prepared and able to respond with confidence and relay the most important information. To ensure the delivery is on par, rehearse your elevator pitch with friends, family or colleagues and make sure it’s easy to understand and you’re not confusing the audience.
• Bring Business Cards: There’s nothing worse than meeting someone for the first time, developing a connection and then when they ask for your business card you respond with, “I don’t have one” or “I’m all out.” That indicates that you’re not prepared and makes the person wonder if this is typical behavior. Always keep business cards in your pocket or wallet and remember to ask for the other person’s card as well. Create a database of that includes their name, email address, phone number, and how, when, and where you met them. Adding these particulars will help jog your memory regarding how you met.

I always refer to our boss, David Oates, as the "Mayor of Networking in San Diego" because whenever there’s a business networking event, he’s most likely there. I’m a firm believer that his words of wisdom can most certainly be applied to individuals of all ages and industries. During this presentation, Oates stressed the importance of the three “Be’s”:

• Be yourself: If you try to be anything but yourself, it’s going to come across as insincere and fake, which are two huge turnoffs with anyone you encounter.
• Be inquisitive: Remember that you’ll have an opportunity to showcase yourself so begin conversations by first finding out about the company, jobs and individuals. Once you have the background information, you’ll be able to uncover ways that you might be of value to them.
• Be sure to follow up: Just because you made a good connection at a networking event, doesn’t mean you’ve got an “in.” It’s important to follow up in the event there were any outstanding items you promised to provide or it may be beneficial to reach out and request a follow up meeting.

Nobody ever said that networking is easy. In fact, many people are afraid of it because they don’t like talking to strangers. However, it’s important to understand that people are out there to help one another. Working together and developing solid connections can be extremely advantageous to both parties if you go about networking the right way.