By generating contacts and opportunities in a fun, engaging and collaborative way, networking is a key activity for professionals of almost every capacity.
Attending networking events can help business professionals to expand their network, build their profile, and generally push their services and business in a positive direction.
Networking can be difficult for introverts, but there are plenty of things that introverts can do to help mitigate any concerns and get the most out of networking events.
To help avoid fairly common networking pitfalls, we look at some tips that could make networking easier, particularly for introverts:
1. Be strategic and plan ahead
Almost every business move requires some sort of strategy and planning – networking is no exception. Take the time to find out who will be attending and speaking at the event, and ensure you prepare your own reasons for being there, in order to present yourself in a professional light and avoid wasting your time.
When it comes to networking, show the same meticulous strategising and planning that you would devote to clients. For example, if you were a professional based in Leeds, having a look at the networking events in Leeds on Eventbrite could be useful. Similarly, looking for networking events in Leeds on Meetup could be a productive use of your time. Certain events on Eventbrite and Meetup also provide an attendee list – it could be useful to look through the list and research any interesting attendees beforehand. This preparation will alleviate concerns around running out of things to say.
Identify a target list of people you want to speak to, check them out on LinkedIn and make notes on what you want to say to each person and how you will start the conversation. An introvert's attention to detail can be an advantage here, as people will warm to you if you mention, for example, the charity work they have done or congratulating them for a recent award or product launch.
Attending events on topics which you genuinely have an interest in will make it easier to start and sustain conversations. Ensure you spend time looking at who is hosting the events, who will be speaking, and determine whether the event is likely to prove valuable to your own circumstances and goals.
2. Arrive early/leave late
Turning up early to a networking meeting and leaving time to stay a little later afterwards will only do good things for your professional image, and will extend your networking opportunities at the event. Whilst it can be intimidating for introverts, arriving early will actually help you feel more relaxed with time to collect your thoughts, and will give you time to speak to the organisers and ask for introductions, to save you from having to introducing yourself to people first.
Aim to arrive at the event approximately 20 minutes early so you have time to introduce yourself, and your business, to some of the key speakers and other high-profile individuals in attendance. By the same token, when the meeting/presentation has finished, stay around to meet and greet people. Aim for a target number of people you want to speak to, and ensure you stick to it.
Rather than going with a sales target, go instread with an objective of finding out as much as you can about other people's business, market and issues. Speaking to people one-on-one will give you the chance to show your excellent listening skills and develop a deeper understanding of people's business needs and how you may be able to help.
Only once you've identified an opportunity, should you start presenting your services list. And aim to set up another meeting rather than go in for the hard sell there and then. This will give you time to prepare a tailored pitch.
Remember to hand out your business card to those who you could build a mutually rewarding business relationship with - then follow up the same day by connecting on LinkedIn with a personalised message, and sending an email to set up a meeting with those you have mutually benficial opportunities with.
3. Plan a pitch
As EFinancial Careers writes in its advice about financial service professionals attending networking events:
“Networking professionals are strategic about the conferences and other events they attend.”
Prior to the event, plan your own pitch on why you’re attending, how you are going to introduce yourself, and what you hope to achieve from the event.
As stated above, you shouldn't use this to go in for the hard sell, and should instead aim to set up another meeting. However, preparing a pitch will give you peace of mind so that if anyone does ask "what do you do?", it will save the embarrassment of having to quickly think of something on the spot.
It might sound obvious, but creating some professional context for attending the meeting can help focus your efforts at an event and ensure you achieve the return on investment you were hoping for.
4. Rent an office that provides networking opportunities
Whilst it's good to get away from the office, travelling to networking events can take up a lot of time, especially if you have a high work load and don't particularly want to network in the first place. Renting professional office space that provides networking opportunities can seriously save you time and money.
Effective networking isn’t confined to attending networking events. Take a look around you – does your current office provide any opportunities to network?
Open-planned offices can be brilliant for collaboration and networking, particularly in serviced offices with other like-minded businesses residing there. It's also essential for an office to have plenty of third space – it's important to get away from your desk throughout the day in order to keep creativity and productivity levels high.
Look for offices with plenty of "third space" (ie chance meetings exchange space, away from your desk, but which allows for continued working) and a regular networking events programme.
As Leeds City Council advises in its business accommodation and support:
“[Shared offices give] you the opportunity to grow your contact network, work alongside, collaborate and do business with like-minded people.”
Carrwood Park hosts regular networking events onsite, including BNI, Connect Gazelles and Forward Ladies.
More information
Susan Cain, author of 'The power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking' also offers this advice on learning to love networking. Her famous TED talk 'The power of introverts' has inspired people from all over the world to find their voice.
Now is the time to give your networking activity an overview – ask yourself, are you attending the right networking events? Do your current premises offer effective office meeting space for networking?
As you can see, there can be more to networking successfully than you may have thought. But by spending time planning, preparing and following up, even nervous networkers can have an enjoyable and productive experience.
If you are thinking about relocating your professional service firm to high quality office space in serviced offices, arrange an appointment to look around Carrwood Park’s stylish, well-facilitated and conveniently located Leeds serviced offices.
Take a look at our Leeds meeting rooms facilities.
