Who you know is ultimately your ticket to achievement.
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It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
That phrase has been kicking around our vocabulary for years because it’s just about the truest thing ever said. When it comes to the business world, forging connections with those in your industry can be the most valuable thing you can do for your personal success. Standing out from the crowd in this digital age is paramount for success in our fast-paced digital age. Even if talking to other people is the last thing you want to be doing, it’s crucial for your future endeavors. If you don’t network you can’t reach your full potential so here are three reasons why great networking is really the secret to success.
Create Opportunities
It can be hard to make the first move, but the whole point of networking is talking to other people. Having knowledge and confidence in your product or services can really improve your ability to converse with others and showcase what you have to offer. It only takes one referral to open a whole lot of doors so set yourself up so you are open and accessible for others. Jump at the chance to visit a new place or meet with a new person, as you never know their potential until you hear what they have to say. Networking events should be on your calendar as much as possible as they’re undeniably the best place to make these essential connections then foster them into something worthwhile. Even if someone can’t help you in a business sense, they still have a contact list of their own full of potential leads to offer.
Every time you turn down an opportunity, you’re turning down the potential for something great. That’s the attitude you need to have if you’re going to be a successful networker. A positive outlook, a vast knowledge of what you represent and a commitment to growing in your field are all part of the process if you want to create as many opportunities as possible for yourself. The more opportunities you have, the better chance you have to connect with someone who can really bring you to that next level.
Learn From Others
You may know everything there is to know about your craft, but what networking does is allow you to learn about what others are up to. Some of the most fruitful business ventures came from people who connected through networking relationships. Feel free to ask questions and get involved. You never know how one aspect of their business can connect with a part of yours unless you listen to what they have to say. People are far more receptive to your ideas if you actively listen and engage with theirs so try to listen first, talk second. Remember that networking isn’t just chit chat, you need to make the right moves so their contact information makes its way into your possession. Take a business card or get an email address or phone number and exchange yours in the process. A follow up email or call is when you get the ball rolling on a successful business relationship.
Be kind, be courteous and remember that a thank you goes a long way. Networking is as much about business as it is about people so keep an open mind and listen to what others have to say and you just might be surprised at what you learn.
Become the Expert
Getting leads is the whole point of networking and the only way to get leads is by becoming the expert. You want to be the one that everyone goes to in matters regarding your field. When you’re “that guy” the leads will roll in faster than ever. Networking as much as you can lends to your credibility as more people know what you can offer. Being an expert means that people come to you, something which makes networking incredibly easy. You want to stand out in a positive way so people who remember who you are and making yourself the expert is one of the best ways to achieve that. When you stand out from the crowd, you’re making yourself the visible authority and that’s what attracts people to network with you.
Experts have an advantage when it comes to networking and if you’re not doing everything possible to expand your horizons then you need be. Knowledge is one of the secrets of success but you need to convince every else that your knowledge is worthwhile. Become the expert and you too can network with the best of them.
When you create opportunities, learn from others and become an expert in your field in the eyes of your peers, then networking will be a walk in the park. If you turn down your chances and neglect to interact with your fellow networkers in a constructive manner, then you’re networking efforts will simply be a waste of time.
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Photo credit: Fred Seibert/flickr
Nice post. Reminds me of a post I originally wrote in 2009 and recently shared on LinkedIn that focused on the OTHER things one gets from Networking: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140821230317-1506949-7-other-things-you-get-from-being-a-good-networker?trk=mp-reader-card
Nice post Terry and glad you liked my post. Would love to connect on LinkedIn