The Golden Rule to Networking!
How's your week going so far? Have you had the chance to get out there and meet some new faces and build new connections this week? This is something I try to make a point of at least once or twice a week. Meeting new people and building relationships is key to creating an incredible and supportive tribe around you, not to mention the possibility of partnerships and collaborations professionally. This whole idea of networking can be incredibly uncomfortable, especially when you feel like people have an ulterior motive! Ughhhh, a huge pet peeve of mine! The truth is networking is quite simple and can actually be fun! There is one golden rule that above all will make you stand out and be rememberable. Make the person feel amazing by keeping the ball in their court. Basically, set-up the platform that will allow the other person to talk about themselves while you listen! I mean think about it, people are the most comfortable when they talk about what they know. Furthermore, by you asking continuous questions and inquiring more you are showing that you care about what they have to say and not what you have to say! But here is the tricky part.....don't start off by asking what they do! That's pretty much everyones default question, "Hi what's your name and what do you do!?" This implies that you are fishing for something right off that bat! Can we please find other ways to cleverly engage in conversation? How about, "What brings you here tonight?" or "How are you enjoying the night so far?" Meeting new people can be an incredible experience if you head into your conversations with the right intention. The intention to genuinely get to know someone. So the next time you head out, remind yourself of the golden nugget rule; keep the ball in their court by shooting the questions! Many believe effective networking is done face-to-face, building a rapport with someone by looking at them in the eye, leading to a solid connection and foundational trust. -Raymond Arroyo
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