Making Your Connections Count
In both business and life, connections are essential. Don’t spend time on trivial matters. Make every connection you have count by prioritizing meaningful interactions today!
Networking brings me immense joy every day, but it hasn’t always been effortless. In this blog, we’ll discuss guaranteed methods to kickstart your network. Additionally, we’ll provide insider tips for expanding your following across various platforms.
We understand that networking isn’t effortless for everyone, which is precisely why we’re sharing this information. We applaud you for sparing a few moments from your busy schedule to read through it.
Keep in mind that networking, like anything else, requires action. You can study it extensively, but without implementing the strategies, you’re simply wasting your time.
Our initial networking advice is to become comfortable with stepping out of your comfort zone. If you consistently remain within your comfort zone, you’ll likely opt to stay home or return to your hotel room when presented with networking opportunities. There are numerous methods to expand your comfort zone, but that’s a topic for another blog. We have an entire blog dedicated to this subject. Be sure to check it out!
Our second tip is to avoid heading straight back to your hotel room when attending an event or traveling. Instead, consider spending a few minutes at the bar. We’re not suggesting you must drink; that’s entirely your choice. By lingering at the bar, you’ll have the opportunity to observe everyone as they arrive.
When I first started traveling for work, I used to bypass the bar altogether. I’d return to my room, pull out my computer, and continue working. This routine resulted in excessively long days—putting in 12–16 hours on an eight-hour salary. One day, I returned to the hotel and noticed some acquaintances enjoying drinks at the bar. I decided to join them, and soon, a larger crowd gathered. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
The following night, I returned to the bar after freshening up. This time, the CEO of the company approached me and struck up a conversation. Before long, every VP in the company knew who I was. While it wasn’t my initial intention, it significantly benefited my career with that company.
Say hi to everyone.
Have you ever noticed that people often overlook greeting the door greeter or the janitor? While everyone goes out of their way to interact with someone they deem “important,” such as the CEO, VP, or event speaker, they often miss acknowledging the greeter who faithfully holds the door open for them every morning.
Here’s a humorous true story from my experience: I attended an event featuring some prominent names as headliners. Three door attendants were holding open the doors to the event, with six security guards positioned behind them to ensure that everything ran smoothly.
I happily greeted all of them and struck up a light, casual conversation. I expressed my appreciation for their efforts in making the event possible, acknowledging them as unsung heroes. Our conversation lasted no more than 45 seconds, but it was engaging and genuine. Just as I was about to pass by the security guard, one of them called out, “Sir, I need to speak with you for a moment.” My initial thought was, “Oh no, did they catch me not paying for parking?” But to my surprise, he said, “Sir, did you know that out of the 500+ people who’ve come through these doors today, you’re the first one to talk to us?” Astonished, I replied, “That’s unbelievable. 500 people, and not one bothered to ask how your day was going?” We continued chatting for a few more minutes, and then he dropped a bombshell: “I have a VIP back seat ticket to give away, and the manager tasked me with finding the right person to make their day. Guess what? You’re that guy.”
As a result of my simple gesture of saying hi and genuinely engaging with the staff, my ticket was upgraded to nearly triple its original cost. This experience underscores the importance of listening, which brings me to our third tip.
Listening
Listening is crucial for expanding our networks. Think about it: Nobody wants to be talked at. We all prefer conversations where there’s a balance between speaking and listening. If you want people to genuinely like you, start by closing your mouth and opening your ears. Unfortunately, listening seems to be a lost art in America today. Too many people love to talk but hate to listen. However, you can gain a wealth of wisdom by simply listening to others. Moreover, by truly listening, you can gauge whether you want them in your network. Trust me, try asking someone how their day is going and genuinely listening to their response. Then, the next time you speak to them, remember what you discussed before. You’ll be amazed at the results.
Eye Contact
The fourth tip is to maintain eye contact while speaking. Few things are more frustrating than conversing with someone who seems mentally absent. Although their body may be present, their mind is elsewhere. Don’t fall into that trap. If you notice your attention wavering, remind yourself to focus. It can truly be a game-changer. Making eye contact is one of the best ways to signal that you’re actively listening. It can be slightly intimidating if you’re not accustomed to it. I once had the privilege of working with a remarkable individual named Steve. Whenever I had the chance, I’d ask him to lunch because he was a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom. Steve embodied many admirable leadership qualities, and I seized every opportunity to learn from him. During one lunch with Steve, I distinctly felt his unwavering eye contact, which made me slightly uncomfortable. I found myself glancing around the restaurant, unable to meet his gaze. His intense focus was palpable. About halfway through our conversation, he gently asked what I was looking at. I was caught off guard and didn’t have a valid answer. From that moment on, I made a conscious effort to maintain eye contact while speaking to someone. It has made a significant difference in the responses I receive.
Social media networking
This topic could easily fill an entire blog post. Social media is brimming with information, making it challenging to narrow it down. Here’s our takeaway: don’t hesitate to comment on posts, but ensure your comments are respectful. If you encounter differing political views, ask yourself if it’s worth your time to comment. Probably not. The key is to use social media in a positive way. I was raised with the principle, “If you wouldn’t say it to their face, don’t say it behind their back.” I firmly believe this applies to social media as well. If you wouldn’t say something to someone’s face, don’t post it. And if you don’t have anything nice to say, refrain from commenting. By adhering to these guidelines and sharing meaningful posts, your network will grow rapidly.
Go to Events.
Our final tip for enhancing your networking efforts is to attend events as frequently as possible. How many times have you thought, “I’d love to go to that,” but never actually purchased tickets? I’ve lost count of the occasions on which this has happened to me. There have been numerous times when I’ve wanted to attend an event, even if it’s free, only to back out or fail to RSVP. Later on, I’d regret not seizing the opportunity. Never hesitate to invest a little money in yourself for the sake of personal growth. Seek out groups or organizations that resonate with you and take the leap. You’ll never regret making connections and investing in yourself.
There are countless additional tips we could share to assist you in expanding your network. Moreover, we’ll certainly be publishing more blogs on this topic in the future. Currently, we’re working on one about maximizing your LinkedIn network. In less than a year and a half, we managed to increase our connections from under 100 to over 15,000, all through organic growth.
If you’re keen on delving deeper into networking with industry experts, consider exploring our networking mastermind program. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from the best in the business.
Ready to Transform Your Leadership Approach? Delve into ‘Humble Negotiation is the KEY to Success‘ and enhance your skills. Follow our expert insights on this transformative journey. Explore more now at EclipseDOT.com.
