10 key skills for successful networking!

Setting yourself apart from the competition, raising your company’s profile and multiplying professional opportunities can sometimes be a perilous exercise! There are a few keys to maintaining and developing fruitful and rewarding relationships.

Here’s a closer look at the 10 key skills for effective networking and success!

1. Effective communication

We can’t say it often enough: “Communication is the key! You’ve probably heard this expression before, whether as a couple or a friend! Well, it applies to your professional relationships too! Indeed, as soon as you come into contact with human beings, communication comes into play! And communicating, however simple it may seem, can be a perilous exercise!

The ability to communicate is a real asset, and one that is not innate in everyone! Don’t panic, it can be learned! To avoid making mistakes when talking about your business, and to ensure effective communication, you should always bear in mind these tips:

• Express yourself clearly
• Practice active listening
• Use an engaging tone

There are a few requirements for good communication. You need to express yourself clearly. Stammering, blanks or tics of language (“so”, “so”, “here”, for example) can impoverish an apparently convincing speech. So it’s essential to express yourself clearly and concisely to capture your audience’s attention.

Effective communication also means listening! There’s no question of spouting off without taking a second to find out how your prospect or customer feels! You need to find time to ask if they have any questions about your pitch, and give them a chance to slip in a comment, an anecdote or a suggestion. Be as open as possible to the exchange, and watch for reactions (boredom, emotion, interest, etc.) so you can bounce back if necessary.

2. Show empathy

To succeed in your networking, it’s important to know how to react to the person you’re talking to, and to show empathy when necessary. You need to be able to pick up on your prospect’s/client’s reactions and show them your interest!

This will help you build confidence and show that you’re sensitive to other people’s needs.

3. Stay humble and authentic

Showing humility and authenticity in your dealings is a real asset that is sure to boost your networking! A sincere and transparent attitude will put your prospects and/or customers at ease, because you’re showing them your limits and not trying to offer more than you’re capable of.

For example, if you don’t think you’ll be able to meet an order or a deadline, be honest and say things like: “I’m sorry, but this job won’t be ready until (date). I understand that this could jeopardize the project, but I’d rather not take the order than mislead you”. Accepting and acknowledging your limits helps your interlocutor to feel confident, and reinforces your company’s good image with future customers.

4. Be flexible and open-minded

Adaptability is a great quality in the professional world, and knowing how to adapt to different situations is essential. Your contacts will recognize your ability to bounce back from the unexpected. This will reassure them that you’re capable of reacting even in uncomfortable situations. Showing your prospects and/or customers that you’re capable of flexibility is particularly appreciated, as it allows them to gauge your open-mindedness and your ability to accept challenges for X or Y reasons.

5. Knowing how to organize

To network successfully, it’s also important to know how to organize yourself and allocate your time! Networking is all about planning.

If you can organize your interactions wisely, and prioritize your events and meetings, it will help you to develop your network more effectively.

6. Show initiative and creativity

To expand your network, you can show initiative by reaching out to others! You can propose contests, events or discussion groups to create new opportunities to get to know your community!

7. Recognize your weaknesses and strengths

This point is somewhat similar to point 3! By getting to know yourself better, you’ll give your prospects and/or customers a positive image of yourself and your company! By acting with sincerity and recognizing where you’re not performing as well as you should, you’ll give the person you’re talking to the chance to make up their own mind about you.

Without falling into the opposite trap, that of the person who has no self-confidence (that won’t do you any favors either!), show yourself to be humble and aware of your limitations. By admitting your weaknesses, you’ll be able to work on them to improve.

Likewise, be able to put yourself forward! After all, you’re there to sell yourself, so make the most of your assets! Clearly explain your values, your work and, why not, the essence of the project that drives you, while remaining measured!

8. Be consistent

To succeed in your networking, you need to be able to demonstrate consistency and remain true to your values. To win your prospect’s trust, you need to reinforce your credibility. This starts with respecting your values and the interests of your contact.

9. Know how to use social networks

Knowing how to use social networks smoothly and effectively is a considerable asset for any professional wishing to boost their brand image! Whether you use Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, or other networks, you can count on the rise of these new technologies to support your business!

So it’s vital to know how to stand out from your competitors by regularly updating your page and staying active on the networks.

10. Be patient and persistent

Finally, remember that successful networking is a long-term process! You need to be patient and determined to achieve your goals! Indeed, building an effective network takes time and effort, which, if deployed in the right way, promises satisfactory results. Remember, quality relationships are built on solid foundations!

To succeed in boosting your business, you need to take the time to put in place behaviors that will help you achieve your networking goals. Effective communication is essential, but there are other qualities that will help you thrive in the professional world!