How to: Improve the Quality of your Networking

You should be measuring your network by the quality of your relationships and not the numbers. A quality-orientated networker, who focuses on developing relationships will have a high-quality network that they can tap into. So when building your network and building your relationships – you should focus on quality.

Here are some easy ways that you can improve the quality of your networking activities (and consequently improve the quality of your relationships):

01. Don’t Play the Numbers Game!

When you are at a networking event, don’t play the numbers game. Unless it is a speed networking event, don’t be handing out your business cards left right and centre, without putting some thought and effort into your conversations. Don’t just talk to everyone for 5 minutes and move on and quickly talk to as many people as possible. You will be instantly forgettable and the people you met will be unlikely to want to develop a deep relationship with you.

02. Don’t be looking for your next conversation – focus on the one you have.

Focus on talking and listening to the person that you are talking to. Now I don’t mean spending the whole time talking to one or two people and not taking the opportunity to “work the room” generally. However, you should be trying to make the person you are speaking to feel important and like you want to speak to them – so don’t spend the conversation looking over their shoulder looking for someone more interesting or for your next conversation. After all, you don’t know what might come out of your current conversation (and you shouldn’t judge it too quickly).

03. Take time to make a real connection

When you have made initial conversation with the person you have met, take the time to explore what you might have in common and/or how you might be able to help each other so that you make an authentic more meaningful connection. Exchanging stories can be an easy way to do this.

04. Offer help

An easy way to quickly establish a business networking relationship is to offer help and/or contribute to the solution to a problem that they are facing. Even if you can’t offer it there and then, it can be a great way to follow up the conversation (and ideally should be done within 24 hours of the conversation).

05. Set yourself up for the next touchpoint

If you think that a new contact will have lasting value, don’t delay in laying the groundwork for your next meeting. If appropriate set the next meeting up and come away with a strong follow-up action.

Even if your follow-up is to have a further conversation at an appropriate time – your networking opportunity will have been a success.