As a small business owner, I was never one to jump into conversations. Networking and interacting with new people felt daunting at first – but over time, I’ve found some methods that helped me make the most out of my networking experience!
I would like to share with you three practices which have enabled me to up my game when it comes to networking and meeting new people.
1. Be prepared and establish what you want to learn
As an entrepreneur, I know the importance of having realistic expectations in networking. It’s important to not just understand what potential opportunities a connection could bring but also have patience throughout the process – rebuilding connections often takes time so it’s best for me to remain grounded and manage my hopes accordingly!
2. Be realistic and manage your expectations
I’m learning that networking and cultivating new relationships requires realistic expectations. It might take a while to reconnect with someone after many years apart, so it’s important for me to be patient as I rebuild those connections. Additionally, when connecting through channels like email or LinkedIn messages – neither of which are necessarily immediate responses – having the right mindset helps keep my enthusiasm light and steady over time!
3. Be consistent in maintaining relationships
I’m a firm believer that successful networking is all about creating and sustaining relationships. It’s not just something to check off your list – like an email blast or two-minute pitch meeting; it requires consistent effort over time if you want to reap the rewards. You can’t think of this as transactional, because investors will likely be overwhelmed by too many requests for one-time deals. If you stay in touch with them long term though, they’ll remember who you are when the right opportunity comes along!
I have felt intimidated by the process of networking and meeting new people, but with time comes experience. It is possible to reap big rewards from these conversations if we arm ourselves with knowledge on effective practices for success. I hope the three networking methods that I shared have been instrumental in making your interactions more fruitful!