'Care to partake in some Networking Etiquette?'

Especially when heading into the world of advertising, marketing or business/entrepreneurship in general you will constantly hear the word... NETWORKING. But what does networking really mean?

Dictionary.com describes networking as... 

1. a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest: Working mothers in the community use networking to help themselves manage successfully. 

2. cultivating people who can be helpful to one professionally, especially in finding employment or moving to a higher position: His business lunches were taken up with networking.

Basically networking means that you go to various business gatherings (like your local Chamber of Commerce MEGAMIXER) and shmoose ('talk idly or casually and in a friendly way') your way into professional friendships - primarily with the exchanging of business cards, to be called upon at a future time. These relationships can be future clients, partners, investors or just supporters.

Networking can be done in person or online through social media like Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn (I call it 'business facebook.') But with all this new networking availability, do we really know the proper formalities to use it? In a world of abbreviations and lack of grammar due to technology fads and fast-paced lives are we really being as polite with our networking as we should be as 'business professionals?'

Here are some of my rules for proper Networking Etiquette;
Some of you may practise these already and some of you may think or do other tasks that I haven't listed - if so please feel free to leave a comment :)

IN PERSON NETWORKING

1. Always give a firm but NOT bone-crushing handshake when giving a greeting, introduction or salutation. No one feels overly confident about a persons leadership (or possible insecurities) if their shaking a hand as limp as a spaghetti noodle. That being said, no one wants to become partners with a person that needs to try to prove to you how good a leader they are by how many of your knuckles they can crack.

2. It goes without saying to always be polite when introducing yourself. If you have trouble making small talk then canvas the patrons once or twice to see their displays and booth, that way you have a conversation starter. I purposely go to booths that are busy so that it doesn't look awkward when I'm 'waiting to introduce myself' when really I'm checking out their booth.

3. Always shake with one hand and accept business cards in the other (unless that hand is full) like when you have to do that silly pose while your standing on stage at graduation - holding your certificate in one hand and shaking your principals hand with the other while everyone takes pictures... Anyways its important to at least skim the front side of the card when you get it and NEVER put it in your pocket or wallet and DO NOT fold or crumple it up.

4. Always make eye contact; no you don't have to look creepy and never blink... when you take the time to nod your head, laugh, agree, or move out of someone's way behind you take the advantage to blink (or remember to breathe if your nervous.)

5. To keep the conversation going, ask them about their business, not about their benefits or income, but about their skills, experience, insight, products/services, placement opportunities, contributions to society..etc.

6. Always exit with thank-you's and handshakes; thank them for their time and for giving you such insight about themselves or their company.

7. I probably should have stated this one earlier... but when conversing try to say their name at least 3 times. Our teacher explained to us the more you repeat something aloud in your head hte more likely you are to remember... "Hello, ___ it's nice to meet you..." or "So ___ I seen on your website a few days ago that... could you explain that to me please?" or "It was very nice to meet you ___ thank you again for your time."

8. Do not wait more than 2-3 days before sending a thank-you email (or card if your feeling really ambitious) to the new connections you made via business cards. Remind them again who you are, what you do and how you met. It helps if you thank them for some big piece of knowledge or express what a great conversation you had with them about a specific topic. Thank them again for taking the time to talk to you. Also if you talked about a placement opportunity or anything else of a business-nature thank them again for considering you for the opportunity (and also to remind them so they don't forget.)

ONLINE NETWORKING

When connecting with people you may or maybe know online you must always remember SPELLING AND GRAMMAR. That being said if you know the person from past events or chapters in your life it's easier to virtually introduce yourself.

 

1. As you greet them and introduce yourself (or re-introduce yourself) job their memory of who you are, what your doing now, and where/when they would remember you from. If you have any mutual friends or connections than it would be a good time to remember them that it was that friend that introduced you both together in the first place.

 

2. This is the MOST important. WRITE YOUR OWN MESSAGE! For example LinkedIn offers it's own connection invitation messaging with your signature added at the bottom so all you have to do is click 'send.' If you have enough time as a 'busy business professional' to be browsing online in the first place than you have enough time to customize the phrase "I'd like to add you to my professional network. - Jessica Dunning." Even if its only adding in a personal greeting and salutation, or just change the sentence each time... "Hello, my name is __ and its an honour to meet you. I was wondering if you could like to become business connections?"

 

3. If you don't like to write emails, create databases or send cards/letters after going to a networking event in person, use this opportunity to connect with them online (then you kill two birds with one stone.) Now a days everyone's business card comes with their online presence so find them and type your thank-you email into your invitation message.

 

4. When someone decides to follow, like, or subscribe to you online, take the time to view their profiles and do the same back (even if they don't introduce themselves or answer you when you introduce yourself first - at least you can feel like the bigger person because you did so.)

5. Finally, (this is the HARDEST I find to practise) keep in contact with your connections. Even if it's a tweet asking how business is going, or an email about an article you think they would like. Or browse through their websites..etc (most developers/profiles have trackers to see who exactly look at their page anyways, so it's better than nothing right?)