Networking used to be a bit of a dirty word. It would conjure up images of hard sales pitches from people you didn’t know, coming home from events with a pile of business cards from people whose names you’d forget by the next week, and feeling a bit overwhelmed by the whole experience. We all know we have to do it, but so many people dread the idea of it.
If you get it right though, your network can transform your business.
I met someone many years ago who talked about ‘clean networking’, and I love that phrase. He meant networking that brings people together who have a shared interest or passion, who probably have the same values, and who will support each other.
I’ve found that invaluable in business, and now belong to a lot of networks full of people who’ve become clients, friends, and advocates. Sometimes it just really helps to have a group of people you trust to bounce ideas off, or ask advice from.
Find the right networks for you
You have to kiss a few frogs to find the right networks for you. I once joined a formal business network where you were assigned to a sub-group for events and away days. It started off quite well, but I ended up breaking up with my group (by text!) after a particularly difficult evening where I felt patronised and ‘othered’. I was the only woman in the group, and the only LGBTQ+ person and I felt very much the outsider.
But when you find your people, it can be amazing. I’m a member of various marketing networks which I love, and have met some fantastic people through. I’m a fellow of The Marketing Society, for example, which has been an incredible way to meet people, be inspired and feel part of a community. Everyone is so supportive, inclusive and welcoming. And because it’s important to have different networks for different needs (and what you can give back to them matters too), I’m also a member of two smaller but incredibly grounding networks, Cabal (run by Nurture) and Digital Leading Ladies.
I’ve even co-founded my own network now, of LGBTQ+ founders, where we can make introductions for each other, share skills, talk openly about our experiences, and offer advice and support. This kind of environment is really important if you’re part of a community that’s underrepresented in business as it helps us all to build confidence, hold each other accountable and be more visible.
Get out what you put in
As with anything, you get out of a network what you put in. People who go to events expecting to come away from each one with lots of business leads will probably be disappointed. Building your network is a long-term commitment. It takes time and energy to nurture relationships, and like any relationship, it’s a two-way street. Give something away before you expect to get something back.
Do it regularly!
If you’re going to get involved with a network, make time and space to do it regularly. Being seen and meeting people regularly at group events helps to establish you as a permanent part of that network. It will build trust and help people feel connected with you.
So before you jump into your networking programme, ask yourself four questions:
- Can I give something to this group of people that they will find useful or interesting?
- Do we share values and care about the same things?
- Can I commit to spending time in this network?
- Are there people in this group I’d like to still know in a year’s time?
If the answer to those questions is a resounding yes, then jump right in. Networking might just become something you enjoy. But when you find your people, it can be amazing. I’m a member of various marketing networks which I love, and have met some fantastic people through. I’m a fellow of The Marketing Society, for example, which has been an incredible way to meet people, be inspired and feel part of a community. Everyone is so supportive, inclusive and welcoming. And because it’s important to have different networks for different needs (and what you can give back to them matters too), I’m also a member of two smaller but incredibly grounding networks, Cabal (run by Nurture) and Digital Leading Ladies. It’s also powerful to be part of industry changing networks like WACL that drives change and has an overall mission to improve gender equality in our industry. Each network has its own purpose.
This post was originally published on here
