Does the idea of networking in a room full of strangers scare you?<\/p>\n
You’re not alone.\u00a0 Even the most extroverted people find networking a bit intimidating. .But often that is because they fear their attempts to meet, greet and network will come off as being pushy or aggressive, and that others will be offended.<\/p>\n
The good news is that if you are networking effectively, other’s won’t even notice.
\nAnd you won’t feel so uncomfortable either.<\/p>\n
So what’s the secret?<\/strong><\/p>\n The secret to effective networking is to do the most natural things you would do with anyone whom you want to get acquainted:\u00a0\u00a0 Ask questions about who they are, what they do, and what they like.<\/strong><\/p>\n Building relationships with others that are either potential clients, or could refer potential clients to you, is usually centered around a 3-step process:<\/p>\n They need to:<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0 get to know you So where do you start in this process when networking in a group of strangers?<\/strong><\/p>\n Most everyone enjoys talking about themselves a bit.\u00a0 And by asking questions to others you give them some permission to “brag” about themselves.\u00a0 It invites them to engage with you and\u00a0to let their guard down a little.<\/p>\n What kind of questions should you ask?<\/strong><\/p>\n What’s important is to ask questions that are open-ended.\u00a0 Asking closed-ended questions that corner a person to say “yes” or “no”, for instance, won’t spark up a conversation.\u00a0 In fact, the silence between closed-ended questions like that can make a good networking opportunity dissolve quickly.<\/p>\n Here are\u00a07 questions to consider:<\/strong><\/p>\n Granted you probably don’t want to interrogate and ask one person all these questions in one 15-minute exchange at the next chamber of commerce luncheon.\u00a0 But having a list of questions like this in your mind before you show up to a function will help you prepare — and give you confidence about business networking.<\/p>\n You’ll also be able to get to know some folks, engage in some memorable conversations, and perhaps exchange a business card to possibly continue contact later.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Does the idea of networking in a room full of strangers scare you? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17069,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n2.\u00a0 get to like you
\n3.\u00a0 get to trust you<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n