Networking Tips for Anyone Who's Trying to Figure Things Out
Whether you’re just entering the job market or looking to start a business, you need to network. It’s important to get out there and build relationships in the community. Why? There’s often no real substitute for introducing yourself, your mission, and the passion that drives you.
Good networking is about building a system of sustainable business relationships. These relationships should help you grow, build your business, and focus your ideas.
If you’re new to networking, the BPN (Black Professionals Network) can be a great place to start. BPN is geared towards college-to-career hopefuls. but membership is open to anybody.
Black/African American chambers of commerce are also a good starting point. Check out the National Black Chamber of Commerce. Most metro areas will have a local chamber as well.
Know Your Service
The first step to successful networking is to have a solid grip on your service and/or skill set. Networking can lead you in a lot of different directions, and some of the connections you make won’t bear fruit.
Having a solid idea of what you bring to the table can be a good filter. If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, for example, knowing your business idea inside and out can help you zero in on your target audience and also help you discern which connections are most valuable.
For new job seekers, try setting aside some time to get a firm grasp on your skill set. The line between career paths can get blurry, and it can be easy to get distracted. Having a solid grasp of your strengths will help you filter your networking contacts from the start.
Build Your Tribe
Once you’ve got a firm handle on your skills and services, you can start building your tribe. In many ways, networking is a lot like making friends, but with a different social code.
You’re probably not going to hit it off on a personal level with everyone that you come across, and that’s okay. Just push ahead and establish working relationships with good connections, regardless of personal affinities.
Good networking venues are almost always a fun experience. It’s okay to take things down a notch and go in with a slightly more casual attitude. Be friendly. Feel free to get a little more personal than you typically would in a professional setting.
Many industries have regular networking functions, and if you’re not already tuned in to one, start Googling. You can also visit Blackbusiness.com for a list of local and national networking events. Looking for more ideas? Here’s a list of more networking resources for people of color.
The great part about networking functions is that everybody is there for the same reason. Everyone is trying to promote their business and enlarge their sphere. Some of the connections you make will be useful, others won’t. That’s okay. It’s all a learning process.
So get out there and build your tribe! Just think of it as making friends, only with a different focal point. Instead of looking for people to “do life with,” search for people to “do work with.”
Re-Evaluate Your Direction
Once you’ve built up your tribe a little, at some point you’ll need to re-evaluate your direction.
Meeting contacts can lead you in a lot of different directions and expose you to many new ideas—which is great! But be on the lookout for the red herrings!
You want to try and walk the fine line between taking in new ideas and sticking to what you’re truly good at. These can be tough waters to navigate.
A good marker is to re-evaluate your networking contacts at least twice a year to see if they’re proving productive. When you’re re-evaluating, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
● Is this connection resulting in new business or is this a dead end?
● Have your networking efforts resulted in a sharper vision for you and/or your business?
● Have your connections pushed you into a different sphere than you originally started in?
● If so, is this a sphere you want to be in?
This can sometimes be a painful step. Oftentimes, you’ll find that you need to do some pruning. But even when you do need to pull back from a connection, it’s usually nothing final. Just let others know that you’ve got a very focused goal and you’re on a mission—most people can respect that.
Be Humble
And the last tip for successful networking? Be humble!
Networking is a give and take. As keen as you might be to share your elevator speech with everyone you meet, it’s always prudent to try and make sure you don't do all the talking.
This is especially true for new job seekers, folks new to the networking game, or anyone trying to open a business or shift career tracks. A good approach to networking is to think of yourself as a sponge—absorb, absorb, absorb!
Some ideas and proposals coming at you won’t be beneficial. Some can even detract from your goals. But it’s better to make a connection that ends up being a dead end than to miss out on meeting someone who could have helped you.
Doing Good Networking
Networking isn’t essential for getting ahead in your career game. It does, however, put you in the way of potentially valuable opportunities.
To keep your networking game fruitful and maximize its effectiveness, remember to:
● Be clear about your goals
● Get out there and attend networking venues
● Regularly re-evaluate your connections
● Stay humble, and remain open to new ideas
Networking can be tough, and at times it may look like a whole lot of sowing and not much reaping. That’s okay. If something isn’t working, go back to square one and start again.
It may be frustrating, but it takes time to learn how to do good networking. Make your connections, be faithful with them, and watch your opportunities grow.