{"id":7291,"date":"2020-11-23T21:03:46","date_gmt":"2020-11-23T17:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/krisp.ai\/blog\/?p=7291"},"modified":"2024-07-04T12:52:39","modified_gmt":"2024-07-04T08:52:39","slug":"how-to-do-business-networking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/krisp.ai\/blog\/how-to-do-business-networking\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Do Business Networking Right: 5 Steps Anyone Can Follow"},"content":{"rendered":"

If networking makes you think of business cards, forced smiles, and awkward conversations, then I have good news for you: It doesn\u2019t have to be that way!<\/span><\/p>\n

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In fact, if your idea of networking is attending an event and giving your contact information to as many people as possible, that\u2019s <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> networking. Sure, it\u2019s a start, but genuine connections happen over time, with consistent efforts to build relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n

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As cringeworthy as it may sometimes feel, the truth is, networking is still the number one way to land a job. A <\/span>2019 CivicScience survey<\/span> of 1,535 U.S. adults found that 31% got their most recent job by tapping into their network. That method was more popular than any other, including job events and job boards.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Because of its potential benefits, I urge you to give networking another try. If you want to learn how to do business networking the right way, read on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Want to Do Business Networking Right? Think Like a Marketer<\/span><\/h2>\n

When talking about networking, people are hesitant to talk about the marketing and sales aspect. I get it: No one wants to be \u201csalesy.\u201d But here\u2019s the thing: Networking exists to create new business opportunities. That\u2019s what makes it different from simply making friends\u2014it has a specific career-advancing goal in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There\u2019s nothing wrong with marketing or sales, though there are right and wrong ways to go about both of them. To make it easy for you, below, I\u2019ve outlined a five-step process for how to do business networking in a practical, non-awkward way.<\/span><\/p>\n

5 Steps to Business Networking Success<\/span><\/h2>\n

Step 1: Define your goal.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Before beginning any networking efforts, answer this: What do you hope to accomplish? If you\u2019re doing business networking just because everyone told you that\u2019s what you should be doing, you\u2019re going to be disappointed because you don\u2019t even know what you want.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Get specific: Are you looking for a cofounder? Do you want to <\/span>find a remote job<\/span><\/a>? Do you need $5,000\/month of client contracts? Or are you searching for a mentor to help you improve your software development skills?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Decide what success looks like for you. That way, you\u2019ll be able to map out a plan to get there, and you\u2019ll know when you\u2019ve arrived.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 2: Find your target audience.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Every good marketer knows their target audience. They don\u2019t try to cast a wide net and get <\/span>everyone<\/span><\/i> to come to them (that never works, anyway). They have a particular person, a well-defined demographic, that they know has a problem they can solve.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Revisit your goals in step one and answer this: Who is your target audience for business networking? Is it DIY crafters? Is it healthcare tech executives? Is it first-year college students?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Once you know who you\u2019re looking for, you\u2019ll know where to find them. For example, if you\u2019re hoping to network with DIY crafters, you might decide to attend scrapbook conventions or join Facebook groups aimed at makers. Gravitate to where your people are!<\/span><\/p>\n

Check our video to get a few more tips on how to do business networking<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n