Networking 101

Recently NBC and CNN reported that the unemployment rate is highest amongst the African-American community compared to any other ethnicity, at an astonishing 15.6%, because we lack networking skills.

Below are a few networking tips I’d like to share to enable our community to optimize business opportunity and make invaluable connections that can provide a lifetime of advantages. Please share with others as well!

Open your mouth & speak- Too often people walk into a room and say nothing to anyone. The least you can do is smile & nod, or say hello in passing. By doing so, this breaks down the barrier we naturally build around ourselves when around strangers, and in turn makes you more approachable.

Talk about what you do- If you have a job talk about it; if you own a business you would definitely want to talk about it for exposure purposes. If you are salesperson then you know talking about what you do is free marketing for your product and business. If you don’t have a job and are looking for one don’t be ashamed to state that; you never know who the person you are talking to may know or what pull they may have.

Join networking groups- I am on Meetup.com, a website that allows you to join local interest-groups so that you can zero in on a certain industry or aspect. Some groups I am locally in are DFW Black Professionals, North Dallas Businessowners, Women Bloggers, and the list can go on! These groups meet ever-so-often and there are huge networking opportunities there for whatever your networking motives are, rather you are looking for a job, or in my case, looking for new clients.

Attend socially-driven and networking events- Being around other people is the only way you can have the opportunity to talk to future connections. Get your name and face out there so that peers associated in your aspiring industry will take notice. Take advantage of mixers, networking events, and business opportunities when they present themselves. Have fun, but in the back of your mind always think about what lifetime and meaningful connections can be made in the long-run.

Miss Gossip’s Advice- I guess since I am not familiar with social media-based networking like that – my tips are:

Join professional industry organizations. For example if you are in HR join SHRM or a city/state organization like Dallas HR etc. Same thing goes for Healthcare, IT, Education – join their professional organization and stay abreast of their networking socials. You will be able to network with more people in more places.

Make business cards for yourself. Even if you don’t have a job, have a business card. It is more professional than writing your number on a piece of paper. You can list what industry you serve (i.e. Jane Doe – Accountant 555-123-4567). That way people will be able to reference it quickly and pass it on others in need of your service. In contrast – always ask for a business card. Never know when you will need to call on that person you met a year ago.

Ask others. When you run across someone who is successful in the industry you aspire to be in, ask what events and organizations are around for it and join them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – none of us know everything.

Overall, getting anywhere in life is about seizing the opportunity- it’s not what you know but who you know.

Be Blessed

Gossiper

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