Your network is your net worth, always remember this Skool Girls! We know that the gift of networking doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but there’s still time to learn. 

So to help you out here are five tips to help you spread those wings and fly onto the path of becoming a better networker…

1. Mind Your Manners
This is one of the most basic networking tips, a simple ‘please’, ‘thank you’ or a ‘I love your outfit’ can go a LOOOONG way. When in conversation with someone for the first time it’s essential to make your interaction with them as positive as possible, For example if they offer you support or advice with good intentions it’s only wise to show appreciation and say thank you, opposed to completely dismissing them. Vice versa, if they open up to you about a particular business trial they’re facing if you have any useful feedback or suggestions this is the perfect opportunity to present them.

2. Talk To People You Don’t Know
The whole point of networking is to get to know about people you don’t already know. What is the point of going to an event and hooking up with people you know and staying with them the whole time? Okay so you don’t necessarily need to speak to everyone, but even if it’s one new person per event, imagine how this could expand your network and improve your likelihood of having influential connections?

3. Learn How To Work The Room
If you are going to be that anti-social party pooper who stands in one corner for the entire event, you may as well just go home, seriously, like now. When it comes to networking, never assume that people are always going to come flying over to you with open arms, you need to make just as much of an effort to find useful connections too. You don’t need to flit around the room like a fly, but let’s say you’ve been standing in one area for the last 15 minutes, it wouldn’t hurt to go and check out who’s on the other side of the room.

4. Smile
Looking approachable is actually a gift, which some people just don’t have! However, a good way to start is by putting a simple smile on your face, remember you can only make a first impression once, so make sure people see your best side first time round.

5. Be Prepared To Ask Lots Of Questions
Networking is about finding out about who and what you didn’t know before, and the only way to do this is to ask questions. What questions you ask depends on the conversation and person, but be prepared with something better than ‘What do you do?’ It’s just as important to get to know the person behind the business, people buy people right? It’s okay to begin conversations with questions about someone personally, not necessarily their profession or business. This is a useful way to find similarities, making your conversation with them more memorable.

(Cover photo via weheartit)