A Beginner’s Guide to Networking
Networking can be a powerful tool for building and advancing your career, but it can also be intimidating, especially for beginners. If you’re new to networking and looking for some tips to get started, you’re in the right place! On this blog, we’ll provide some tips and strategies for effectively networking as a beginner and as you progress with developing your networking skills.
We cover everything from how to introduce yourself at networking events to how to follow up after making a connection. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to building a strong network and advancing your career.
What is Business Networking?
Networking is the process of building and maintaining professional relationships with other individuals or organisations. It can involve connecting with people in person or online, and can be done for a variety of reasons, such as to seek advice, find job opportunities, build your professional reputation, or expand your business.
There are many different ways to network, including attending networking events, joining professional organizations or online communities, or reaching out to individuals or organizations directly. By building a strong network, you can gain valuable insights, access new opportunities, and build your professional reputation.
Networking is an important aspect of professional development, and can be especially useful for those who are looking to build their careers or expand their businesses.
Networking does not need to be scary. It can simply be the passing on of information. You network every day in an informal context, whether you realise it or not. Business Networking is the same – it is usually just more targeted or takes place in a professional setting.
The principles and techniques of business networking are mostly common sense. Many of the principles apply also to business and your professional relationships generally.
Why should you network?
Each of you can get something out of networking. What each individual gets out of it will be different and will depend on your circumstances.
For example, if you are a job-seeker, a student or a recent graduate you might want to network to find a job. However, it is also a great way to learn more about a particular career choice or company. A contact can share experiences that may give you insider information to help you decide whether a job role might suit you, or a company might be the right fit or even give you an edge at interview.
There are many benefits to networking, both personally and professionally. Some of the key benefits of networking include:
- Building a strong professional reputation: By networking and building relationships with others in your field, you can establish yourself as a thought leader and build your reputation within your industry.
- Gaining valuable insights and knowledge: Networking can provide you with valuable insights and knowledge about your industry and can help you stay up-to-date on the latest trends and opportunities.
- Accessing new opportunities: Networking can help you access new job opportunities, find clients or customers, or expand your business.
- Building supportive relationships: Networking can help you build supportive relationships with others who can offer advice and guidance, and can provide a sense of community and support.
- Personal growth and development: Networking can help you learn new skills and grow personally and professionally, and can provide opportunities for learning and development.
In summary, networking is important because it can help you build a strong professional reputation, gain valuable insights and knowledge, access new opportunities, build supportive relationships, and grow personally and professionally.
How to find relevant Networking Opportunities?
If you have never done “networking” before it can make you anxious, stressed or scared. However, formal networking makes most people anxious even if they have done it before, it can take people a while to get comfortable with business networking – however many of these anxieties can be overcome with an organised approach. Feeling prepared and finding the right (and relevant) opportunities for you can actually make business networking enjoyable.
There are many ways to find relevant networking opportunities, and the best approach will depend on your goals and interests. Here are a few strategies you can try:
- Join professional organizations: Consider joining professional organizations in your field or industry. These organizations often host networking events and provide opportunities for members to connect with others in their field.
- Attend industry events: Attend industry events and conferences, which can be a great way to meet others in your field and learn about new trends and opportunities.
- Connect with alumni: Consider reaching out to alumni from your college or university and connecting with them on LinkedIn. Many alumni are willing to help recent graduates and can provide valuable insights and connections.
- Join online communities: Consider joining online communities or forums related to your field or industry. These communities can provide opportunities to connect with others and share knowledge and resources.
- Network with your current colleagues: Don’t forget to network with your current colleagues and coworkers. They can be a valuable source of information and can help you learn about new opportunities within your company or industry.
Types of Networking Events
There are many different types of networking events (or situations) that you might find yourself in. Yes, there are the large Business Networking Clubs and Groups and Websites, but business networking can be done anywhere.
Events with Common Interests:
- Conferences
- Exhibitions
- Seminars
- Training Courses
- Chambers of Trade or Commerce
- Societies and Associations
- Lectures and Talks
Other Networking Events:
- Breakfast or Networking Clubs
- Local Networking Events
- Speed Networking
Other Events and Opportunities:
- University/Alumni Events
- Corporate Hospitality Events
- AGMs
- Public Meetings
- Product Launches
- Festivals and Shows
- Community Events
- Sports Clubs
- Clubs & Societies (Hobbies)
- Pubs
- Travelling
Online Opportunities:
- Business Networking Websites
- Online Forums
- Professional Body Websites
- Special Interest Websites
- Community & Social Websites
Further Reading:
- How to choose a Networking Group;
- Different types of Networking Groups – Explained.
What is “Relevant”?
One of the hardest things when starting out is identifying target groups and connections which are relevant to you.
Relevance can be according to several different things such as location, sector, social grouping, trade, academic or technical grouping, specifically organised networking or referral groups or other common interests.
The more relevant the targeting of groups and contacts, the more useful your meetings and referrals will be.
“Hard” Networking VS “Soft” Networking
“Hard” networking and “soft” networking are two different approaches to building and maintaining professional relationships.
“Hard” networking refers to a more direct and proactive approach to networking, where the focus is on actively seeking out and building new connections. This might involve attending networking events, joining professional organizations, or reaching out to others directly.
“Soft” networking, on the other hand, refers to a more organic and relaxed approach to networking, where the focus is on building relationships and connections naturally over time. This might involve building relationships with co-workers or classmates, or connecting with others through shared interests or activities.
Hard Networking Groups are where there is a clear agreement that the purpose of networking is to produce business referrals for each other, and Soft Networking Groups are those where a group has no significant aim or expectation of referring business. Usually, people who attend ‘informal’ or soft networking groups are looking to avoid the hard sell.
Always be aware of the group’s needs, expectations, rules (official and unofficial), and membership composition (formal or entirely random), and adapt your style and methods accordingly.
This will depend on your own aims and what you hope to get out of networking. This will become clear when you develop your “networking strategy”.
Networking will often be with your peers, with your clients and customers and with other business professionals. However, certain non-business professional people can be hugely influential in networks, and greatly trusted because of their neutrality and professional standing
It is unlikely that you will meet these people through conventional business networking, but remember that a network is not only made of professionals and other business-people, and you need to be aware of these non-commercial connections to take advantage of the opportunity when the chance comes.
It’s important to focus on building relationships with people who can help you achieve your goals. Here are a few types of people you might consider networking with:
- People in your field or industry: Connecting with others in your field or industry can be a great way to learn about new trends and opportunities and to build your professional reputation.
- People with complementary skills: Consider networking with people who have skills or expertise that complement your own. This can be a great way to collaborate and build new projects or ventures.
- Mentors or advisors: Consider seeking out mentors or advisors who can provide guidance and support as you build your career or business.
- People who share your interests or values: Connecting with others who share your interests or values can be a great way to build supportive relationships and to find like-minded individuals to collaborate with.
- People who can introduce you to others: Networking with people who can introduce you to others in their network can be a great way to expand your network and access new opportunities.
If you find that your networking is producing very low opportunities for follow-up and referral, you need to change your approach.
Don’t go aimlessly after every networking opportunity which comes your way. Have a plan, a strategy. Decide which sort of groups and contacts will be most helpful for your personal aims but remember that you need to be able to help them, as well as them helping you.
Plan your networking
Business networking can take up a lot of time. You need a Networking Strategy to make it as effective as possible.
You can use various tools to manage your networking. Some people use a planner, others prefer a spreadsheet.
It is important to know exactly what you want, because you will be asked and you will need to be able to give a clear answer.
Business networking can be a very enjoyable activity, and for some people can seem a lot more productive than it actually is, so stay mindful of business results and cost-effectiveness. Have some targets and monitor the results. Additionally if you take on too much at the same time you will be spread too thinly, and will be unlikely to make a positive impact in any of them.
Further Reading:
Top Quick Tips
Here are quick tips for effective business networking which apply to any sort of business networking:
- Have an Elevator Pitch.
- Differentiate yourself.
- Be Helpful.
- Be Relevant.
- Plan your Networking.
- Follow up. Networking only produces good results when it is followed up.
You can read our quick tips series here.