Four networking habits your contacts hate
In Networking for Dummies: 4 Habits Your Contacts Hate, Maya Townsend explains some networking behaviors that can kill your networking efforts:
You're not really there -- you can't focus on the person you're with because you're too busy looking for the next prospect.
You put off networking until it's too late -- networking is an obvious activity when you're job hunting. Unfortunately, your network will be less productive then unless you have stayed in touch with folks while you've been gainfully employed.
You network only with people like you -- when you lack diversity in your network, you cut yourself off from potentially valuable information and insights that can "fill your blind spots."
You're too busy to follow-up -- Making initial contact and getting a business card are just the first steps. To turn your new acquaintance into a valuable part of your network, you need to follow-up by engaging with them regarding something that matters to them.
The first bad habit is a mixture of poor manners and a lack of understanding of the best way of conducting yourself in a typical networking situation. You can solve this one with a little empathy and some planning. Townsend suggests that you focus entirely on each person you meet and then, unless you are enjoying the conversation, move on after five minutes.
The other three bad habits arise in large part because networking is WORK. It takes intention and effort over a period of time. Unfortunately, too many of us cannot muster the necessary energy to do this work in a consistent fashion. This is where it helps to have a strategy that allows you to engage with your network regularly without hijacking your day.
Our strategy is an app called Broadli* that gives you insight into the projects and questions that matter to the people in your network. Better still, it gives you a quick and efficient way to do something for them that will help deepen your relationship and move you from a mere contact to a trusted network connection.
Networking is WORK. But is doesn't need to be impossible. Let Broadli help.
(*Broadli currently is optimized for iPhone 5. We're working on other devices.)
[Image source: Samantha Ealy]