6 Top Tips For Better Networking

One of the most effective ways to build any business is to network. Whether you're a new business start-up, an entrepreneur, work in sales within a large organisation, or want to move on to 'the next level' within whatever company your in, to nurture, take time with, and grow your network will pay dividends every time.

As a BNI member, and having attended everything from Chambers of Commerce, Business Link, and many more business networking gatherings through the years, I can say that so much of my business as well as other oftentimes unexpected opportunities have come my way via nurturing good relationships.

Here are my 6 top tips for better networking. See how well they work with you. Some may be better suited than others for your situation. Once you've given them a run, let me know how they worked for you.

1. Be ready to engage with regular AND new contacts. Get yourself in your networking 'zone' before you arrive. It's better to be saying 'I'm really looking forward to this', rather than 'I'm just not in the mood this week'. Only be there if you genuinely want to be.
2. Have an objective; what do you want to leave the event having achieved or saying to yourself?
3. Keep body language open and engaged, e.g. open groups of 2's and 3's, arms unfolded, agreeing, interested gestures will encourage others to come join you. Closed huddles with someone you feel safe with will discourage others to interact.
4. Give a 'flavoured' answer. When someone asks how you are, never reply with a simple 'fine/okay/good/bad/so so' etc. These replies are at best conversation closers - they give very little for the other person to hook on to. A more flavourful answer would be 'fabulous/amazing/oh my gosh/oh yes, and so much more' (with body language to match). Because your feeling is amplified and isn't the usual 'okay' or 'could be better' it'll cause the other person's body language to match, and they'll want to find out what you meant by that.
5. Have easily accessible business cards. No business cards...still at the printers...don't believe in them? Then don't be there!  This is networking, so be professional and have easily accessible business cards to give away freely.
6. Wear your name tag! A name tag is to make it easier for you to be approached by others - believe it or not the other person might be even more nervous about saying 'hello' than you! Wear you name tag with pride.