Dear Wendy,
I am brand new to networking. I just joined two different groups, so I’m meeting people, but no one has ever taught me how to build a healthy network. Any advice?
Dear Courageous Socialite;
You have my congratulations.
Not because you are consciously building a network – lots of people do that – but because you are taking the responsibility for whether your network is toxic or effective. Bravo to you!
Here are the first three rules, let me know when you’re ready for more:
Say good things: It doesn’t impress anyone when you share that you had a hard time finding the place, or that traffic was bad, or that your allergies are kicking in. You are impressive though when you compliment a board member on bringing in a great speaker, or thank the president for a meeting well run, or volunteer to serve on a committee. When you’re new you get the golden once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make first impressions. Make them good.
Do what you say you will: The definition of a network is people who know you, respect you, and are willing to take action when you ask them to. To develop an asset that valuable you have to show that you are credible. Best way to make your credibility known is to say that you’ll do something, and then do it. For instance, if you say you’re going to meet at 11:45, be there, in the chair, at 11:45. (Pulling into the parking lot at 11:45, scootching into your jacket as your run across three lanes and slamming in the door breathless, phone cord dangling, keys jangling isn’t a credible image.) When someone you meet is looking for information that you have say when you’ll send it. When they receive it they’ll know that you do what you say you will. You become credibly memorable.
Networking isn’t what you do at a meeting: You can meet the people who will become your network at a meeting, but handing your business card to someone you don’t know isn’t networking. That’s Hit and Run Marketing, and about as much fun as a car accident. Networking is what you do between meetings. So schedule lunch or coffee with one member of each group between every meeting. And hey, since you’re a member of two different groups make it a 3-way by inviting one person from each group and introducing them to each other. Now you’re networking.