4 Reason Why You Should Start Networking and Building Relationships
It’s never too late or too early to start networking. Whether you’re a woman in business, climbing the corporate ladder or still in your “figuring it out” era. It’s important to invest time in building meaningful connections that will help you reach your goals. I’ll be sharing my top 4 reasons why networking and building relationships are important for YOU and offer some tips on how to effectively and practically start networking. Why a boss-lady like you should start networking? Networking… builds a supportive community The beauty of networking lies in meeting people and building relationships, you get to connect with like-minded and completely different individuals that can provide a strong support system and access to mentorship opportunities. Where do you find these individuals? By attending events and conferences, you can connect with potential clients, investors, mentors, and collaborators that can provide a strong support system and mentorship opportunities. If you’re wondering where to start looking for networking events, start by signing up for an events “gig guide”. Networking… opens doors We’ve all heard the quote, “your network is your net worth.” and this quote has stood the test of time. Being associated with someone can get you into boardrooms, meetings and spaces that may be difficult to approach on your own. Networking… gives you access to resources “Networking is not only about trading information, but also serves as an avenue to create long-term relationships with mutual benefits.”- Forbes Knowing people who have certain skills and expertise makes life easier. If you need help with a legal issue and you have an attorney or lawyer within your network, you can simply reach out to them for help. You could need funding for your business and meet someone who can assist you in getting a meeting with “the right” person, there is an abundance of opportunities when it comes to networking and building a community. Networking… establishes your brand Building a personal brand is what I call “social currency” or “social leverage”, networking can be an effective way to build your personal brand and establish yourself as an expert in your field or a thought leader. Positioning yourself as someone who can offer valuable insight and knowledge often builds trust within your network and potentially leads to more clients, collaborations and opportunities. “HOW DO I ACTUALLY NETWORK?” There’s a framework I use called: The 3 P’s of networking (Prep, Pursue and Post-networking) P= Prepare: Don’t go in completely unprepared; research who will be attending and whom you’d like to approach. Prepare 2-5 standard questions you can repetitively ask each person. Remember to be yourself and seek genuine connections. P= Pursue Step 1: Greet, Compliment, Ask and Listen Tone and body language are very important: be friendly, genuine and make direct eye contact Step 2: Authentically Pitch While they were speaking did you notice something that resonated with your business/career/interests mention it and sway the conversation in your favour Step 3: Add Value Here’s where you exchange business cards and do it on the premises of adding value, this is your differentiator. P= Post networking You have to reach out after you’ve made the connection and maintain it through communication. Tip?: Ask them to follow you on social media and vice versa or send a message there a then so you have direct contact. Lastly, always remember to give back: Offer your expertise or resources to them,hether it’s through service exchange, mentorship, volunteering, or offering to connect them with someone in your network. Giving back can help you build stronger relationships and establish yourself as a valuable member of the community. In summary, networking, building relationships and communities are essential for boss babes who want to grow their businesses and corporate climbers who want to achieve their goals. By attending events, joining online communities, hosting events, following up, and giving back, you can build strong relationships that will help you access new opportunities, gain mentorship and support, establish your personal brand, and access a valuable resource.
5 ways to upgrade your LinkedIn profile
Your LinkedIn profile is your introduction to the professional world. It is just as important as your resume/CV. However, the two are different. If your LinkedIn profile is an exact copy of your resume/CV then you are doing it wrong. LinkedIn provides users with a platform where then can include more aspects in their profile than they can fit in a standard resume/CV. Use that to your advantage. Think of it as a marketing tool. Remember that recruiters are now using LinkedIn to not only vet job applicants before an interview, but also to find and contact potential candidates. Wondering how to upgrade your profile? Here are 5 ways you can do it: 1. Get a great headshot Yes, it is necessary! No one wants to click on a profile without a picture. You want your profile to get the attention it deserves so upload a photo. Not just any photo either. That means no selfies, group photos or pictures of you turning up. Put up a high-resolution picture of yourself without anything distracting in the background. Dress appropriately and smile. You want the picture to exude confidence and happiness. Read more here: 3 Ways To Transform Your LinkedIn Profile From Crappy to Fabulous 2. Add a creative headline The headline is one of the first things that people looking at your profile will see. It should grab their attention and compel them to read on. Think about your next career step. Where do you see yourself? What kind of opportunities do you want to explore? Use this to inform how you craft your headline. Incorporate keywords and structure it in a way that it shows exactly who you want to be. Think of your LinkedIn headline as a condensed mission statement. 3. Write a concise summary A well-written summary will help recruiters and potential partners find you. Make it personal. Share your passion about the industry you are in or are looking to transition to. What is your background? What have you achieved so far? What are your career goals? Use keywords and weave your responses into a career story that will give recruiters insight into who you are, and make them want to meet you. Read more here: Three Steps To Writing The Perfect LinkedIn Summary 4. Add media LinkedIn allows users to incorporate media to their experience section. It’s a great way for people to get a sense of what you have done. Have a presentation, video, photo or document that you worked on? Upload it. Is your work online? Link to it. Add media that you are proud of and that showcases the range of your abilities. Take advantage of the media add-ons on LinkedIn to SHOW people exactly what you are capable of. 5. Skills and endorsements Be strategic about the skills that you list. Limit them to the ones you are most confident in and that you want to be known for. Endorse your colleagues’ skills. Chances are they will do the same for you. Endorsements show that you have the skills and expertise that you say do. Have you tried any of these tips? Were they helpful? Any others I didn’t mention? Go ahead and share them with me below.