Networking is a crucial element of personal branding. Often encapsulated by the question,
“who knows you?”
It’s key to attracting influential connections to your brand and expanding your reach. This blog explores how you can build strong social connections for your brand using effective networking strategies such as attending events, leveraging online platforms and wielding the power of the good old business card.
It’s often said that your network is your net worth.
With the current world that can’t stop talking, social connections are the groundwork for strong personal brands. Employing networking strategies is still the good old fundamental strategy for building meaningful connections as the people we know and connect with significantly impact our brands.
The evolution of digital technology and advent of social media have expanded the avenues of networking and connectivity to encompass your online and offline presence.
In this blog, we’ll explore networking strategies that will help you attract industry movers and masterminds to steward your brand.
Mastering the Art of Networking: How to Build a Network
1.
Join a Professional Community
Professional communities have long served as great avenues for networking among industry leaders. Joining these communities offers you opportunities to connect, collaborate, and expand your network with diverse perspectives. You can also take up leadership roles in your professional community. These enable you to demonstrate your commitment to service and assert your credibility.
2.
Attend Networking Events
You need to put yourself out there to build your network.
95%
Source: Harvard Business Review
Networking events allow you to meet your peers, learn from other experts, and walk away with connections that can lead to collaborations.
Attend events in your niche – virtual or in-person – and intentionally speak to people you would love to add to your network.
Preparation is key to successful networking in in-person events. Start by curating a list of all events you’re interested in and the attendees you’d want to meet there. You can go ahead of time and reach out to these people on social media or other platforms available.
It’s also important for you to refine your networking pitch. It’s almost impossible to network successfully without answering the question: “What do you do?” Perfect your response to this question. Ensure it communicates your personal brand and what you want to be known for.
Make your response memorable and ensure you can adapt it to different contexts. Perfect your delivery and boost it with enthusiasm and unwavering confidence. This enables you to make a lasting impression on the people you interact with.
What Kind of Events Do You Need to Attend?
Industry-themed events e.g. Cannes Lions International Festival for executives who work in communications.
Speaking engagements you resonate with.
Conferences and webinars for instance; NVIDIA GTC if you want to meet fellow professionals in artificial intelligence.
In-person meetups hosted by your peers in the industry and beyond.
Alumni events.
3.
Maintain an Online Presence
Curate and maintain a robust presence that’s visible to other brands with similar interests. Use the platforms to find fellow industry leaders, connect with them, move conversations offline, and create lasting connections.
The first thing a person does after meeting you in person is look you up online to find out more about you, whether your values align, and how they can stay in touch with you.
How to Leverage Online Platforms:
- Have an updated, professional LinkedIn profile that reflects your brand attributes. Dara Treseder’s profile can serve as your inspiration.
- Create a complete personal website showcasing your portfolio and contact information.
- Establish a social media presence in relevant channels depending on your industry e.g. X if you’re in tech and Meta if you’re in fashion or social enterprise. Social media are networking goldmines.
4.
Engage Your Network
Networking is not a one-time affair – it requires effort and nurturing to become meaningful. You need to keep in touch with your network for the connection to prosper.
How to Maintain a Professional Network:
- Communicate regularly via email, social media channels, or call.
- Meet in person or virtually to share professional highlights.
- Collaborate as individuals or as representatives of your companies
- Attend their events and invite them to yours.
- Share thought-leadership articles and opportunities.
- Feature your connections in your brand stories on social media, speaking engagements, or blogs.
- Engage with each other’s content on social media.
5.
Ask for Referrals and Testimonials
Another way of strengthening your brand is through referrals and testimonials from colleagues and customers. These offer increased exposure for your brand and act as social proof for your brand’s authenticity and credibility.
Ask your connections over the phone or via email what they think about your interaction or services, and whether they can refer you to others with similar interests. Explain to them how their testimonial will impact your personal brand and get their permission to share their review on your social media, or website.
Always get back to them with information on how the testimonial helped your brand and honor the spirit of networking by returning the favor. This strengthens your connection with your network.
6.
Work on Your Soft Skills
The power of first impressions makes soft skills essential for effective networking. You need to be approachable and likable to easily make connections and maintain them. Wit is also appreciated by many, so work on being a great conversationalist and an active listener. These skills help you relate with your connections naturally and effortlessly.
7.
Contribute to Industry Publications
Showcasing your credibility and expertise is also an effective networking strategy for building a strong personal brand. Publications are always looking for contributions for their content needs and lending your expertise to their columns with valuable insights establishes your credibility as a thought leader.
When you consistently submit articles and op-eds to industry publications, you open yourself up to more industry engagements. With time, people will recognize your content and strive to get in contact with you and be part of your personal network.
8.
Make use of Business Cards
Times might have changed but the business card is still a powerful tool in the networking strategies kit. You can use it as an introductory tool especially in spaces where time for conversation is limited.
To maximize the impact of your business card, your unique value needs to come across within the first few seconds. Ensure it has:
- Your photo. Names elude people and moments can be fleeting but faces are memorable.
- Your logo if you have one.
- Your motto or tagline – a memorable phrase that represents you.
- Your contact information and website where they can explore more about you. If possible, add a scannable link or a QR code. It makes finding your online presence easier.
Always ensure all the elements of your business card like your logo, fonts, and colors are guided by the branding toolkit.
9.
Audit Your Connections Frequently
Evaluate your connections regularly to ensure you maintain the contacts that strengthen your brand. This allows your brand to set sail with the relevant seafarers on board.
Just like Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO and one of the executives who excel at networking said, the people around you and in your orbit should help you amplify what you’re good at and help you identify the parts that you’re not.
Turn Connections Into Social Currency
Now is the time for you to show up for your personal brand with genuine connections and transformative company. Leverage the networking strategies we’ve shared above and witness a steady elevation of your brand presence.
Our recommendation is a result of over two decades of experience in personal branding and dedication to helping you stay ahead. Don’t let networking feel like another technical task on your desk. Reach out to us today and turn your connections to the social currency that drives new deals and shapes industry connections.
