Still not convinced of the benefits of expanding your network? Check out these statistics proving why you should start networking ASAP (and covering some obstacles that we’ll discuss later on):
- 85% of jobs are filled through networking. —HubSpot
- 70% of people found a job through connections in a company. —Review42
- Business executives disclosed they would lose 28% of their business if they stopped networking. —NovoResume
- 49% of people who don’t maintain contact with their network said they don’t have enough time for networking. —Zippia
- 70% of small business owners do their networking online. —Fit Small Business
- 70% of jobs are not advertised, making networking crucial. —FinancesOnline
- 80% of professionals consider professional networking to be important for career success. —LinkedIn
- Over 35% of LinkedIn users said casual conversations on LinkedIn Messages led to new opportunities. —GoRemotely
- Getting co-workers to network reduces the likelihood of turnover by 140%. —TeamStage
- 38% of professionals think networking is most active in restaurants. —WritersBlockLive
5 Ways To Network Like A Pro
From social media to networking events to volunteering for a good cause, there are plenty of ways you can start networking to meet new people, build relationships, and advance your professional career. If you don’t know where to start, take a look at these five options to help you accelerate your professional success.
Social Media
If you don’t have a lot of time, networking via social media could be a great fit for you. Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social platforms provide an easy way to find job openings or exchange information with people all over the world.
The simplest way to start networking on social media is to send a brief message to someone new–maybe Facebook friends, or a LinkedIn profile that catches your eye.
After you’ve engaged with someone’s posts over time, send a direct message to your new contact, keeping things warm and friendly yet still professional and polite.
Demonstrate how connecting could be beneficial for you both — you want something from them, but what do you have to offer to help make the connection more genuine and valuable?
When trying to network, though, it’s absolutely essential for your message to be specific and personalized–no copy and pasting here. Remember, you want to come across as authentic in order to foster a real and meaningful relationship.
You should also interact with other peoples’ posts as well as sharing original content of your own. This can help you connect with people who have common interests, and your posts will also position you as a professional expert in your field.
Endorse your LinkedIn contacts and take every opportunity you get to say something good about others.
Follow leaders and influencers in your field to stay up to date on what’s happening. You can also follow a marketing guru or hiring manager to expand your network if you’re planning to look for a new job soon.
A few more tips to keep in mind as you network:
- Be willing to reach out to all kinds of people online, including people who are at your level as well as executives.
- Ask for advice and then be willing to pay it forward, helping others solve problems too.
Networking Events
In the age of social media, it might seem appealing to take the easy route and focus solely on networking online. But in-person events are important, too.
Take a look at this information from Forbes, based on a study showing the benefits of in-person networking vs. networking online:
- Building stronger, more meaningful business relationships (85%)
- Better ability to read body language and facial expressions (77%)
- Ability to bond with co-workers/clients and more social interaction (75%)
- Allows for more complex strategic thinking (49%)
- Better environment for tough, timely decision-making (44%)
- Less opportunity for unnecessary distractions (40%)
- Leads to higher-quality decision-making (39%)
- Easier to focus (38%)
- Fewer disruptions and delays (23%)
95% of people agree that better business relationships are built through face-to-face meetings. So find a networking event near you and fake it until you make it. Events where you can start networking may include:
- Job fairs
- Trade shows
- Conferences
- Seminars
- Breakfast or lunch
- Roundtable discussions
Ask your friends and colleagues if they have any networking events to recommend. You can also use websites like Eventbrite or Meetup to find a networking event.
If you’re traveling for work or for vacation, research the city you’ll be visiting to see if there are any local networking events you could attend while in town.
Subscribe to relevant industry email newsletters and social media pages. They may include a roundup of networking events. Local social media sites could also be a good resource.
Happy Hours
Does the idea of a formal networking event freak you out? Find a more casual event that’s geared toward mingling and informal conversations. Happy hours, for example, are more laid-back events that cater to a relaxed atmosphere.
You’ll typically find happy hours held in large cities in the late afternoon, or even virtually.
Adjust your daytime outfit so you still look professional, but a little more casual. While these events are a more casual way to make new connections, you should still keep things professional; treat higher-ups with respect and keep the conversation focused on work, your skills and trying to build a professional relationship with new people.
While sharing personal stories about your life and interests outside of work is also important, when networking, you want to have a primary focus on your professional life.
It should also go without saying, that if you’re at an event or meetup at a restaurant or bar, to treat servers with respect and tip well. Do this, first and foremost, because they’re people too, but also to give a good impression to any potential future bosses.
Pro tip: Make sure you don’t drink too much. The last thing you want is to get tipsy at a professional event. Happy hour events geared for networking often have non-alcoholic options available as well for those who prefer not to drink.
Mentorship
Finding a mentor is a good way to be successful with networking and making new connections. There are numerous benefits to having a mentor. You can receive encouragement, feedback, and personalized advice on how to get where you want to go. And of course, you can grow your network by leaps and bounds.
Your mentor can introduce you to people you need to know in their own network. Working with a mentor will increase your overall visibility. Your mentor will know the best networking events to attend and will provide guidance on what to say or do when you get there.
How can you find a mentor? Reach out to someone you admire. Tell them what you like about their work, and explain what you want to learn from them. Get to know your mentor, talking about lighthearted personal topics as well as asking career-focused questions.
Follow up after your first meeting and ask if you can meet again. Make sure to say thank you–and ask if you can help them with anything, too.
Volunteering Organizations
Another method of building relationships is to volunteer for a cause you’re passionate about. Networking through volunteering might not be your first thought–but it’s an effective way to make valuable connections, while benefiting the cause you’re working for, too.
Find a nonprofit that aligns with your passions and skills and volunteer your expertise. Maybe you’re a lifelong animal lover, and you work as a graphic designer. Your local Humane Society might love your help creating adorable graphics for their social media, or flyers to put up around town.
Once you’ve found a place to volunteer, get to know everyone you can–staff members, fellow volunteers, donors, and more. Start conversations and share about what you do currently and what you’d like to do in the future.
You don’t have to spend a lot of time volunteering. Even one Saturday afternoon a month can result in some quality connections that might hold benefits down the road.
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