Are you looking for innovative ways to network for business or personal goals? Read here to learn 4 tips to help with network building in NYC.
New York is a city of movers and shakers. Regardless of your industry, it is full of great network building opportunities.
If you want to make connections and advance your career, you’ll need to put yourself out there and meet new people.
This isn’t easy for everyone. But with a little practice and patience, you’ll be ready to soak up all the opportunities New York City has for you.
Top Network Building Tips
One of the best ways to build your network is to attend an event where like-minded people get together. These events run the gamut from sports-related to spiritually-focused.
You’ll be able to find others who share your interests and use that initial common ground to form a deeper bond. When you attend a networking event, be sure to keep these 4 tips in mind to help you make the most of it.
1. Don’t Arrive Late
Fight the urge to show up fashionably late to your network building event. Although some think it’s a good idea to “make an entrance,” by arriving early you’ll be in a better position to connect with the people around you.
Others won’t have yet formed circles and you’ll be able to scope out the room and choose the best location to see what’s going on. The environment is also calmer earlier in the night, allowing you pay more attention and feel relaxed.
When looking to build your network, be proactive and give yourself the best opportunity to meet people. That includes showing up at the beginning of your event, ready to engage.
2. Be a Great Listener
Practice active listening techniques. When people feel like you’re really interested in what they have to say, they are more likely to open up and trust you.
You’ll leave a better impression on others when you listen more than you speak. Ask relevant follow-up questions. Take a genuine interest in what your conversation partner does.
Ask probing but pleasant questions. Try to find out what brought others to the networking event and find common ground to connect on.
Some extroverts really struggle with listening. If this is a challenge for you, practice. Active listening is a learned skill that will benefit you greatly building up your network.
3. Share Your Passion
People respond positively to enthusiasm. If you love what you do, it will be contagious.
Share that passion and energy with the room. Talk about the aspects of your business that you really enjoy. Leave negativity behind.
Remember, network building is about forming relationships. You don’t need to do a hard sales pitch to get your point across. It can actually have the opposite effect.
But if the people around you sense that you are passionate, they’ll probe further to find out more about who you are and what your company does.
4. Follow Up
Do not overlook the importance of following up after you’ve had a successful interaction. Seal the deal by figuring out the best method of keeping the conversation going with your new connection.
Some people prefer social media, while others more actively check their email or phone. You should be adaptable in your outreach to make it easiest on others.
Networking is the beginning of your relationship. How you interact after the event will solidify or undermine that first interaction. Make a point to reach out within 48 hours of the event and include something specific from your conversation to show true interest.
A Partner in Business
We’re here to help you make the most of the connections you make.
Whether you’re looking to start a business or need help with the documents to formalize your partnership, we’ve got all the tools you need.
Contact us with your questions and let us know how we can help move your career forward.
