Why Bother to Network?
September 1st, 2009 @ admin
Dear Readers,
The mention of the word “networking” can make you smile or fill you with trepidation at the thought of meeting new people and complete strangers. Which style are you?
If you’re an outgoing “people person” networking can be a blast of a party where you meet new folks and connect with old friends. If you tend to be more of a “wallflower” networking can be absolutely painful
When growing a business or a career, networking is a must. People help you meet other people who in turn become clients, customers, co-workers, and sometimes friends. No matter how you slice it, social networking, whether online or offline, is all about people and how to interact with them.
Great networking can make a huge difference in creating connections that can launch your business and career towards success quickly and easily regardless of your “style.”
Personally, I’m a combination of both styles. Meeting new people and creating connections has always been easy for me. As a naturally outgoing and talkative person, who truly enjoys “chatting people up,” networking is fun! I really get a charge out of introducing folks who have things in common. It’s rewarding and satisfying.
Believe me, I didn’t always feel like that. Even though talking with people comes easily, there have been many times when networking was very uncomfortable. Feelings of insecurity would quickly creep in after each event. I would wonder if I talked too much, listened enough, said anything stupid; did I say the right thing, did I wear the right clothes? Why would anyone want to meet me anyway? Worrying about making a fool of myself quickly got in the way of attending events that could help me in growing my business.
Before you start networking it’s important to become very clear about why you are doing it and how your product or service helps others. The next step is to learn how to network well.
You see, networking is about having an authentic helping mindset and realizing that networking isn’t really about you. It’s about helping others get what they want. It’s about being a good listener and learning about the other person. It’s about matching the other person’s energy. It’s also about asking open-ended questions to learn more about their interests and needs.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
Please join me on a journey of learning and self-improvement as I write about the art of networking. Send me your comments and questions to success@windsofchange.biz
To Your Success!
Terry
http://www.examiner.com/x-21996-Providence-Networking-Examiner
Category : Networking
