Here's how you can improve your networking skills to advance your career.

You bring value to any conversation. What is your 30-second elevator speech? Why should people want to network with you? Make it clear to your targeted points of contact.

If you want to improve your networking skills, first you need to select the niche and clearly define your goal and purposes. Sharing of skills, knowledge,tips and insights will help to engage the people who are in the same field. If you get the followers then you need to connect directly to share your knowledge to improve the relationship of connections. Sometimes your connections referral will make a new followers to you that leads to enhance your networks.

Value comes from knowing your own worth as well as the potential of another. I've seen so many opportunities pass by because no one followed up, 'they' didn't come back, or 'why should I' attitudes... If you want what you've never had, you must do what you've never done and networking is just that. Connect, inform, share, ask, remind, thank, recommend, compliment! Just do it ✅

To elevate your career path you must have good PR . Here is a few tips to improve your network, - Staying positive. - Improve your emailing skills. - Building relationships. - Invite for outings. - Keeping in contact. - Leverage on influential connections. - Go in with no expectations. - Focus your efforts.

1 Understand Value. To network effectively, you must first recognize the value you bring to the table. ... 2- Set Goals. ... 3- Be Curious. ... 4- Communicate Clearly. ... 5- Follow Up. ... 6- Expand Online. ...

Absolutely! Setting goals before networking events or reaching out to new contacts is essential for maximizing your efforts. Define what you want to achieve—whether it's finding a mentor, seeking career advice, or exploring job opportunities. Having clear objectives will guide your interactions and help you connect with the right people. Remember, networking is most effective when you're intentional about whom you meet and why you're meeting them. By setting specific goals, you can focus your efforts and make meaningful connections that align with your objectives.

People can spot a person who is just take, take, take. Show genuine interest in others rather than focusing solely on what you can gain. Be patient when you engage others and focus on developing genuine relationship. The benefits will come later! 🤝

Be an active listener: ask follow-up questions, provide contextual details, play contrarian, request case studies or simply ask for favorite examples. Also, lean in to your intuition and smile; be someone you'd like to be around.

Being curious in networking means genuinely engaging with others to understand their needs and experiences. Use your curiosity to discover professional details, personal interests, and passions. This broader approach helps build deeper, more personal connections that can lead to stronger, more diverse networks. People are more likely to remember and value interactions where their whole self is acknowledged not just their professional persona.

curiosity is like a secret weapon in networking. When you genuinely show interest in others by asking insightful questions and really listening to what they have to say, you're not only making the conversation more engaging but also uncovering valuable insights about their needs and aspirations. It's all about demonstrating that you value their expertise and experiences, paving the way for deeper connections and potential collaborations.

This reminds me of the Seeker who went to the Guru for insight. The Seeker proceeded to tell the Guru all he has done and studied before coming to see him. As this went on, the Guru poured them both some tea, but as he poured it for the Seeker he continued long after the cup was full with tea spilling on to the table and floor. When asked why he did this, the Guru responded, "Your mind is like the cup, you arrived with it already full. No new knowledge can be added!" Approach your interactions with a view to learning rather than knowing. People love to tell you their story if you let them

Absolutely! Clear communication is vital in networking. Craft and practice your elevator pitch—a concise and compelling summary of who you are and what you do. Focus on highlighting your uniqueness and what sets you apart. Additionally, pay attention to non-verbal cues like body language and eye contact, as they play a significant role in how your message is perceived. By communicating clearly and confidently, you can effectively convey your ideas and intentions, making meaningful connections in the process.

Clear communication is vital in networking. Develop a concise, compelling elevator pitch to convey your unique value effectively. Also, practice active listening. Paying close attention to what you say and how you listen can make a huge difference. This involves nodding, maintaining eye contact, and responding appropriately to show genuine interest in others. This balance of speaking and listening enhances your ability to connect meaningfully and leave a lasting impression.

Don't forget that communication involves listening, not just waiting to speak. Reflecting content or meaning are both great ways to show you were listening.

Effective communication is not simply what you know, but how you feel about what you know. Communicating well is how well you get your idea across, using your emotions, personal connection, and engagement with the audience you are communicating with.

Follow-up = You care Follow-up = Showing that you care and value the r/s Follow-up = Feedbacks, leading to self-improvement/ progress Follow-up = Open up new communication opportunities Follow-up = Shows your reliability No follow-up = You don't bother No follow-up = Uninterested expression No follow-up = No feedbacks, hence, no change No follow-up = Closed door for new communication opportunities No follow-up = Inconsistency

This is very important. Take the initiative in reaching out. Treat follow-up as an extension of point 3 - 'Being Curious'. It shows you are keen and keeps the conversation flowing.

Absolutely! Following up after making a new connection is crucial for nurturing relationships. Send a personalized message expressing gratitude for their time and reiterating key points from your conversation. If you offered to share resources or make introductions, fulfill those promises promptly. Consistent follow-ups demonstrate your commitment to the relationship and keep the lines of communication open. By staying engaged and proactive in your follow-up, you reinforce the connection and lay the groundwork for future collaboration and opportunities.

Having listened actively, the follow-up is a great opportunity to show that you were. Taking the time to ask a question that helps the other person as much as you can be a great way to have a lasting impact.

Following up is essential in networking to keep connections alive. Send a personalised message to express appreciation and reinforce key conversation points. Consider scheduling a follow-up interaction. Whether it’s a coffee meeting, a call, or attending a relevant event together, planning a future touchpoint can significantly deepen the relationship and demonstrate your genuine interest in nurturing the connection. This proactive approach shows commitment to mutual growth and collaboration.

Don't expect anything back, share because you want to. You don't need validation or reward. Sharing is caring. Show support by liking or commenting on post. Sharing a post take no effort, but can boost someone's confidence.

Absolutely! In today's digital landscape, online networking is indispensable. Establish a professional presence on relevant social media platforms and actively engage with your industry community. Share insightful articles, participate in discussions, and connect with professionals in your field. Expanding your network online opens doors to a wealth of global opportunities that can propel your career forward. By leveraging online platforms effectively, you can broaden your reach, stay informed about industry trends, and forge valuable connections that can lead to exciting prospects and collaborations.

Expanding your network online is crucial for accessing global career opportunities. Engage actively on platforms like LinkedIn by sharing articles and participating in discussions. Also personalize your interactions. Instead of clicking "like," write thoughtful comments or ask questions. This approach makes your interactions memorable and can lead to more meaningful connections. Personal touches in digital communications can set you apart in a crowded online space.

1. Targeted Connections: Focus on building relationships with professionals in your industry or field of interest. 2. Active Listening: Engage in meaningful conversations, showing genuine interest in others' experiences and insights. 3. Value Exchange: Offer your expertise or resources to others, creating mutually beneficial relationships. 4. Follow-up: Maintain regular contact with connections through emails, calls, or meetings to nurture relationships. 5. Networking Events: Attend industry-specific events, workshops, or seminars to expand your network and stay updated on trends.

"If I had an hour to solve a problem I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions." (Einstein) - if you are not doing networking at all, or doing it very partially, poorly or any other percentage of optimal networking, you should go on a journey to discover the real root-causes of this problem. Examples - you're afraid of what people would say, you're afraid of failure, you had a negative experience in the past, you're sure you can't make it as an introvert.. these are some of the things I heard as a management consultant in the past. Once you discover these root causes, you can start solving them - get professional help, join a networking group, take a course or any other solution. Good luck!

Be humble, engage others who are in your related field sincerely. Be responsive and respectful when you're setting up meetings with them. Make time for them and don't expect them to alter their schedule for you. When you get to meet them, always give first; don't ask or demand. Create connections not transactions. Expect nothing from them and just let them know that you exist.

When networking, be your authentic self and focus on the whole person. They are more than just node in a network. Ask them questions like where are they from, what are the interests outside of work etc. You want to build genuine, meaningful connections.

Every now and then, it's best to just say a straightforward: No! Be a leader, not a follower who only knows how to say yes. Make sure to have a life beyond work so that the moments you share with co-workers after hours are truly cherished. Think of your colleagues as a coral within the workplace, and yourself as a fish swimming alongside them, either going with the flow or charting your own course while standing out in a positive way. Keep swimming, my friends!