Lisa Earle McLeod* says many people dread networking events, but there are ways to make them less awkward — and maybe even fun.
Networking can be awkward. After a networking hiatus caused by the pandemic, potentially even more so.
Yet, on the flip side, we know networking is important.
Professional connections help you expand your reach, grow your career, and develop a pool of trusted insights.
Here are four tips to make it a little less squirmy.
Avoid traditional networking events
At a traditional ‘networking’ event, almost everyone has some type of agenda. It makes for superficial interactions and an overall awkward dynamic.
Instead, try to find something with a more focused audience.
This could be an industry event, an interactive webinar for people in your role, or something specific to your geographic area.
Not only will you have more interesting conversations at the event, odds are, you’ll make stronger connections that actually last.
When everyone is there to learn and share experiences, networking will come naturally.
Make it about the other person
If you introduce yourself to someone and they say, “I’m from…,” or “I’m a teacher,” describing what they do for a living, think to yourself: “Who is this person affecting?”
Is it clients, students, other people? Are they a project developer? Or do they do something related to the environment?
Then, when you respond, you can say something like: “Wow, I bet you have a big impact on…” whoever their constituents are.
A lot of us need reminders our work makes a difference, and if you can bring that forth in the first few minutes of the conversation, that person will go to a better headspace to engage with you.
Use ‘you know how when’ to describe yourself
When someone asks: “What do you do?” use a networking technique called ‘you know how when’.
I learned this technique from Mark Levy, who’s a positioning expert and a very dear friend of mine. Here’s how it works.
If someone were to ask me: “Lisa, what do you do “for a living?” I could say: “I’m a consultant and I’m an author,” and they’d probably nod politely,
Instead, I say: “You know how when someone really takes pride in their work, and their whole face lights up?
“I help companies make sure everyone who works for them feels like that.”
This casual ‘you know how when’ language is often a welcome reprieve from the overwhelming volume of corporate speak at traditional networking events.
Having your own version of the ‘you know how when’ in your back pocket makes you more interesting and approachable.
Follow up (with focus)
Effective networking does not leave a breadcrumb trail of hundreds of one-off interactions.
To actually build a network, you’ll need to go deeper. That means following up.
If you made a connection at a networking event that you’d like to stay in touch with, time is of the essence. Remember, everyone probably met a lot of people.
Quickly send a LinkedIn connection request or an email if you’d like to stay in touch.
In the body of your message, include something memorable, like: “I really enjoyed hearing about the impact you have on your (constituents).”
Again, your aim here is to form a deep relationship based on impact, not a surface- level acquaintance.
Networking doesn’t mean you have to brace yourself for endless conversations about the weather.
When done well, networking can be a tool to build your personal brand and grow your career — with tips above, it might even be fun!
*Lisa Earle McLeod is the leadership expert best known for creating the popular business concept Noble Purpose. She is the author of Selling with Noble Purpose and Leading with Noble Purpose. She can be contacted at mcleodandmore.com.
This article first appeared at mcleodandmore.com.
