How to Make Strong Networking Connections

Networking is really all about making contacts with new people- getting to know them as individuals, learning what they do, and learning about what they need. Sometimes you are the one who can personally help address their need; sometimes you may not be able to help them directly, but you know someone who can.

Common Networking Faux Pas - Don't make one of the following common mistakes when you are networking:

• Hard Selling - distributing your business card to as many people as possible, without engaging in conversations or getting to know them

• Business Only - talking only about business and work, never attempting to learn about their personal situation or interests

• ME, ME, ME - talking only about yourself, what you do, and the products and services you sell, rather than asking questions to get to know the other person

Create a Personal Connection - Networking starts by creating a personal connection. People like associating with other people with whom they feel some sort of bond due to shared interests or experiences. Getting to that stage is a process of developing some level of:

• Commonality

• Likeability

• Credibility

• Trustworthiness

When you meet someone for the first time at a networking event, your first objective is to learn something about the other person and find a common connection- one on which you can hopefully begin to build a relationship.

YPNSD | Young Professionals Network San Diego