10 Tips to Becoming a Powerful Networker

10 Tips to Becoming a Powerful Networker (for live events, not so much for social media networking…) 

1. Define your purpose. What do you want? What do you need next? Know what you’re seeking.

2. ALWAYS Show up to serve. (Borrowed that phrase from my mentor and friend, Tiffany Peterson). This is a beautiful way of expressing the concept that when you show up in life, at an event, coaching call, any interaction that you have with others, you are there to benefit and serve them with what they need, to assist and support, offer your best.

3. Be sincerely interested. Ask Great Questions; Listen Intently. Know what they need next, how their family is doing, what their passions and dreams are.

4. Be enthusiastic. Smile. Believe that all things are possible for others and yourself. Create an attitude of joy and gratitude, people will love to be around you. Be involved in important, meaningful work either as your primary source of income or as a volunteer.

5. Share the good others are doing that you “know, like and trust”. Promote others. Recommend others for PR opportunities. Give referrals. Become a client. Help others achieve their goals. Volunteer to help. Make introductions.

6. Keep in Touch. Exchange critical info… create or use a Contact Manager system, at least in your contacts on your phone and email. Make lists on Twitter and Facebook to organize who you want to follow. Keep a file on your contacts, what do they like, what have you done with them, what samples or services have they tried, etc. Be active in at least one community online. Join local and international alumni groups, special interest or service groups, etc.

7. Create an opportunity to get to know them. Such as invite them to lunch, send them a sample of your product or offer a service for free. Have them join you at an event. Differentiate yourself from others, go over the top to make them feel special and valued.

8. Remember passion sells. When you’ve established friendship first, naturally people want to know what you do and support you too. Share your excitement for what you do and how you are unique and they will want to be a part of it and help you succeed, either by buying your product or service or helping you with what you need by referring you to others.

9. Evaluate how you are doing. Ask yourself are you sincere? are you a good listener? are you helpful? are you a friend? Are you getting their info after events and reaching out afterwards? Making an effort to form relationships? Read The Connectors by Maribeth Kuzmeski and see her evaluation forms.

10. Remember at the end of the day, networking is making a new friend. Who doesn’t want that? We all do! Have fun and who knows who your next new best friend will be. Some of mine were found on Twitter and then we met up at a live event, and the rest is history.

Enjoy!

Kelly King Anderson, the Founder of Startup Princess considers herself a power connector, as she helped to build an online community of over 200,000 and is in the top 25 of most powerful women on Twitter according to Twittergrader for over a year. She has created and formed many powerful relationships and values these tips she has learned over the years. Kelly is currently an Entrepreneur in Residence at BYU Hawaii and loving it.