The Ultimate Guide to Non-Awkward Effective Networking

Well, it turns out that it’s been proven that many jobs are found through personal relationships. It also turns out that online social networking can help with this turn of events, so it is also important to develop good social networks through the web. If it feels awkward, there are things you can do to make things go better for you—here are some tips to help you get going in your pursuit of non-awkward effective networking approaches to online relationships.

How to Master the Challenges of Non-Awkward Effective Networking:

When You Wonder Why, Exactly, You’re There

If you’re going to an event, be sure to check out the other attendees or hosts ahead of time. You can always go to the LinkedIn pages of your soon-to-be friends, too. As you network, have a clear goal in mind: What do you want to get out of the networking situation?

When You Wonder What to Say

This can be scary! It may help to start small, by talking to a few people who may already know who you are, or whom you have met before. You may want to do a little research for networking purposes by reading a little bit ahead of time to find out what’s going on in the business.

Introducing Yourself to the Big Shots

One of the most important things to remember about having a chance to meet bigger folks is to have a purpose. Be sure to go up to people with the thought that you can be friends, and that you’re equals. And know what you’re going to say: which particular project did you admire that they were part of?

When You Run Out of Things to Say

It’s so easy to fall into silence, no? One way to avoid this is to ask questions about the other person; you don’t need to always talk about yourself. You can always ask questions of the other person to make sure that they know you’re cued in to what they’re talking about.

When You Want to Ask a Favor, Peacefully

If you can think of ways to ask for favors or help with your networking, you are in good stead! Be sure that you know what you want, but be reminded of how to ask nicely, too. Also, be sure to let the other person know that there’s something in it for them, too.

How to Leave a Conversation with Grace

Be sure to leave things open-ended, for you want to stay friends. Express interest in what the other person is doing or saying, and keep yourself in a good place to revive the connection if you need to. It doesn’t have to end on a sour note, but can be revived later if you two decide to chat again.

How to Follow Up

Okay, you’ve done it, and you’ve survived! Be sure to remember the conversation you had, and be sure to mention a tidbit from the conversation the next time you run into your new friend on social networks. Keep business cards, and maybe even jot down notes about what you remember of a person and what you talked about. If you have any good tips you have picked up or challenging situations that you have navigated through, share them here.

The future is, with wisdom, up to you.