How to Up Your Networking Game

There’s no questioning how important an ability it is to build genuine business contacts. More than just financial capital, your enterprise also thrives on the quality of your network. You’re not alone in building your legacy. Ask any successful executive you know, and they will tell you that networking is one aspect you wouldn’t want to take for granted. You can’t find better opportunities or solve problems when you have a closed network of advocates and partners to trust. Your network is an investment that deserves to grow.

For this alone, your networking skills will need to be sharpened if you’re feeling as though your business is ripe for expansion. If anything, it’s also an ability that determines whether your enterprise will remain in the long run or not. No matter how experienced an entrepreneur you are, it matters to develop approaches that go beyond making an elevator pitch. Here are a few ideas you will want to harness as you aim to enrich your professional network.

1. Build a presence outside online platforms

People assume that connections are better built online, but that proves to be false. Business executives still require face time if you want to introduce your products to them or just talk about what your brand stands for. Genuine networks are built on unfiltered human interactions. 

While you may want to set up an impressive LinkedIn profile and craft a compelling introductory message, bear in mind that better results stem from human connections. You have better chances of landing a valuable agreement or partnership when you seek out potential connections in corporate events such as conferences and trade shows, so focus more on seeking out connections offline.

2. Research the person and the institution they represent

The biggest blunder you could ever commit while networking is to make assumptions. You might think that a CEO of a company that’s into AI development would be interested in your large language model, but they might not think your offer will add any value to what they do in the first place. 

To save yourself from an awkward conversation and have yourself taken more seriously, take the time to learn more about the person you want to connect with, as well as the needs of their organization. Pay attention to how they interact with other business leaders and find out if what you’re offering aligns with their long-term goals. 

3. Make the most out of your presentation

It’s false to think that engaging conversations are already enough to connect with the company or executive you’re targeting. Unless you’re already gifted with lots of charm and wit, you will need to come up with a good presentation that lets the other side know how legitimate you are. Go for metal business cards that give you a sense of sophistication. What’s more, dress professionally and carry a notebook and a pen with you. 

When you do present your pitch, don’t do it as though you’re hard selling. Ask questions and listen intently to their responses. You won’t need an eye-catching PowerPoint presentation to get them excited for your next meeting when you already have the best presentation material on hand: yourself.

4. Follow-up with intentionality

When networking, one mistake you would want to avoid is having to reach out to the other person again and expecting them to answer favorably to whatever topic you talked about last time. If you obtained their email address during your initial contact, reach out while showing a genuine interest in the problems or issues they mentioned. 

Make your follow-up interactions brief and impactful, but not pushy and desperate. Always aim to frame the conversations over what gives them and their organization the most value. You will know they’re invested in your ideas when they ask for a meeting over coffee.

Endnote

Being able to strike up a conversation at a conference is a skill, but its impact can hardly be felt when the other side knows what you’re already doing. When you network, follow the tips above so you can gain much from every interaction you’re involved in.