Barbara Gibson, ABC, is an intercultural communication consultant, trainer, and social media coach based in the UK, We all know we need to network, so we dutifully have business cards printed, we join associations, and attend with clients worldwide. In events. Uncomfortable in a crowd of strangers, we stand around waiting for networking to happen, or we spend 2008/09, she served as the the whole time talking with the colleague we came with. The problem is, while we know we should network, many international Chair of the people aren’t sure how to do it. So here are some top tips – updated for the social media age -- for creating a International Association of powerful network. Business Communicators, a 15,000-member global net- 1. The Golden Rule of Network- contact, begin thinking who in enjoyed it. I hope I get the work. She is an Accredited ing: Work for your network. the room (and in your network) chance to meet you sometime Business Communicator Don’t look at networking with the they should be introduced to. soon.” Again, include your card (ABC), and is currently pursu- idea of “what can it do for me?” or contact details, and plan for ing a PhD in intercultural 8. As soon as possible after meet- See yourself as a resource for further follow-up. If you get the communication. Barbara is a ing a new contact, jot down every one of your contacts. Be opportunity to meet in person, frequent speaker for local, notes on the back of their busi- a matchmaker. Send business introduce yourself with a re- national and international ness card. Your notes (for your leads and job leads to your con- minder of where you saw them conferences. You can find her eyes only) should include mem- on any of the following social tacts. Like most things in life, before, and a mention of your ory joggers (mustache, red what you get out of your network note. You’ll now have the be- media sites: hair), reminders of where you depends on what you put into it ginnings of a solid contact. met, what you discussed, first. The most powerful network Twitter: things you have in common. 13. All the tips above also apply to http://twitter.com/barb_g is the one that is made up of online social networks. The people who owe you favors. 9. The next day, transfer their counterparts to nametags, busi- Posterous: details and your notes into your 2. Remember that everyone else in ness cards and elevator http://barbgibson.posterous.com contact management system the room has sweaty palms, too. speeches are fully completed (don’t get scared off, this can LinkedIn Concentrate on making other profiles that include enough be as simple as the Contacts http://www.linkedin.com/in/ people feel at ease, not on your information for people to get to file in Outlook or other soft- barbaragibson own insecurities. know you and see if you have ware). things in common. Every profile 3. Nametags help. Wear your 10. Follow up! Send a short note should include a photo (close- nametag on your right side, as or e-mail to strengthen the up of your smiling face), and close to your face as possible, initial contact. This is where your full name. Provide links to with your first name printed as your notes from #7 come in your website, blog or other large as possible. Always in- handy. For example, “I enjoyed social media profiles. The clude your last name and com- meeting you at last week’s more you cross-pollinate, the pany. IABC meeting. It’s good to more your network will grow. 4. NEVER get caught without a know I’m not the only cricket 14. List your professional associa- business card. Tuck extras in fan in the group. I’ll keep my tions and other organisations your wallet, computer bag, glove eyes open for a photographer you’re involved with in your compartment, etc. Carry a stack for that project you mentioned. profile or in a key words list, so to every event, and keep them Hope to see you again soon.” other members can find you. handy. If you’re between jobs, A word of caution: unless sales Then do a search in each site print simple ones with all your information was specifically on those key words and link up contact info. requested, your first follow-up with fellow members. This should not be marketing- 5. Learn to “work the room.” Don’t strengthens your off-line con- oriented. gravitate toward people you nection, and opens up addi- already know well. Don’t sit with 11. Maintain contact. Develop a tional contacts in their net- people you work with. And don’t tickler system to remind you to works. sit until you have to. Make it touch base at least every 6-12 15. Join groups in social networks, your goal to meet at least ten months. Any contact counts. and then join the discussions. new people at every event. You can send links to articles Provide information, links to that might interest them, send 6. Develop and rehearse a 30- articles that would interest the invitations or comp tickets to second “elevator speech,” es- group, and respond to the company events, or better yet, sentially, the answer to the most questions and comments of send them a business contact common question at any net- others. that will benefit them. working event, “What do you 16. Make sure you’re engaging with do?” It should include two or 12. You can do #s 9 and 10 even if others, not using social media three sentences that describe you haven’t actually met! For as you would a broadcasting who you are, what you do, and example, you attended a lunch- medium. Commenting on other the kind of contacts you hope to eon meeting and the keynote people’s blogs and re-tweeting make. For example, “Hi, I’m speaker is someone you’d like and responding to other peo- Barbara Gibson. I’m a cross- to get to know, but didn’t get ple’s tweets will do more to cultural communication consult- the opportunity to meet (or did, build relationships than writing ant and trainer. I work with but it was scarcely more than a long posts that no one reads or global companies to help opti- handshake). Try to get a card, sending a series of one-way mize the performance of interna- or obtain a mailing or e-mail tweets. tional teams, and help execu- address from the event organ- bgibson@culturalresolution.com tives to manage and communi- izer, and send a short note or A final thought: the best networking, http://barbgibson.x.iabc.com cate more effectively across email saying “I heard your pres- whether online or off, is about rela- +44 (0)208 133 8829 cultures.” entation at yesterday’s IABC tionships. Work at connecting with meeting, but didn’t get the people, and the rest will follow natu- 7. Be a networking matchmaker. chance to tell you how much I rally. Copyright 2010 Barbara Gibson As soon as you meet a new
Windmill Networking: Understanding, Leveraging & Maximizing LinkedIn: An Unofficial, Step-by-Step Guide to Creating & Implementing Your LinkedIn Brand - Social Networking in a Web 2.0 World