Don't Be Afraid of Networking
Networking. What an overwhelming concept it can be at first. When starting up a business one marketing strategy is “networking,” when laid off and searching for employment one strategy is “networking.” You might be wondering what exactly “networking” is. Well, networking is: Interacting or engaging in informal communication with others for mutual assistance or support.
By Susan Silva
When I think of networking the first thing that comes
to mind is “I don’t know anyone”. Ok, I do
know some people so eventually I come up with a list of names of people.
Then I go into the “I don’t want to impose on friends” mode
and find myself back at square one. Networking is not imposing. What
you may consider imposing can turn out to be a win/win situation. If
you are looking for a new position there are referral awards or even simply
filling an open position with a competent employee. For businesses
you may have services the people you network with actually need and can benefit
from. You may find the people you have chosen to network with may have
services you can use. So free your inhibitions and network!
Where do you start? First take out a pen and paper and start listing friends and family. Add the ex co-workers. Do you patronize any business where you chat while doing business? (Example hairstylists, the person at the espresso bar you talk to while getting your morning coffee), college/alumni buddies, church or social activities? This list will get you started but don’t stop there. Be creative. Do you go to PTA meetings? Collect business cards!
Second, be prepared. Keep a folder in the car of resumes or brochures. Keep a healthy stack of business cards with you. Develop a verbal presentation. If it is for employment, be creative and prepared in ways to approach the subject of possible openings. If it is business related, have a verbal description of what your business is and how you can (and have) benefit others. When you are at that hairstylist, during the course of a casual conversation you may bring up you were laid off (or you have a virtual assistant business) a simple “May I leave my resume with you? If you hear of someone needing my qualifications you can pass it on” (or business cards/brochures if networking for your business). Leads can come from the simplest of situations. Having you "marketing you" speech prepared will take most of the fear out of approaching others and make networking not such a scary concept.
Most people are more then willing to help out. If you find someone who passes your information back, don’t take it personally and move on to the next individual. Through your information someone else may benefit. It never hurts to ask, but you will never get a yes if you don’t ask. You never know, the people on the list you are networking with may use you for their networking needs in the future, so get out and network today!
Below is a spreadsheet (with a few examples) you can copy and use to keep track of whom you network with.
| Date Contacted | Person/Place | Information Left | Thought/Comments to Remember | Date re-contacted |
| 12/20/2002 | Jill, STB Travel | Resume / VA Brochure | Recieved Business Card, may need VA services, re contact in January | |
| 12/4/2002 | John Smith, ABC Industries | VA Brochure / Business Card | Talked at Starbucks, may need website services | 12/15/02 - Sending proposal |
| 12/3/2002 | Joe Some, Internet Company | Resume | Talked at PTA, his Admin is leaving 12/31 | 12/15/02 - called with follow-up still interested |
