As the festive season kicks off, it’s time to grab your party hat and embrace those networking opportunities. People are often more relaxed and open to making new connections at this time of year. So, whether it’s your work Christmas party or a seasonal event with clients, learn how to better leverage your network by following our top tips to help you network like a pro.
1. Prepare your elevator pitch
One of the main reasons people shy away from networking opportunities is because they worry about how to make small talk. You need to have something to say, so prepare and practice your elevator pitch ahead of time to help capture their attention and get your message across clearly and succinctly. Your aim is to differentiate yourself from others, claiming maximum airspace in a concise and compelling way.
2. Ask people about themselves
Ask ‘clever’ questions to understand the other person’s point of view or areas of interest. Then draw on your emotional intelligence to listen with empathy to their response. It’s important to “read” beyond the words and take on board their body language and tone of voice to fully understand what makes them tick.
3. Make a genuine connection
People often mistakenly believe you need to ‘fake it until you make it’ or become a ‘people pleaser’ to win people’s approval. Avoid this rookie mistake and have the confidence to communicate the ‘real’ you instead. By being authentic, you are more likely to appear credible and trustworthy and this will increase your chances of making a genuine connection with the other person.
4. Be generous with your time
In life what goes around, tends to come around so whenever possible try to invest your time with the other person – you don’t have to give something away for free but try to be appropriately giving and you will reap the rewards of improved relationships and greater business success. This could be offering to make an introduction or sending through a relevant resource.
5. Remember to follow up
Finally, it may sound obvious but always follow through on your promises. At the end of a networking event, it can be all too tempting to say you’ll connect, then leave it at that. So whenever possible make sure you follow up on your conversation and start the process of building a relationship.
By harnessing your festive cheer and following these five steps, you’ll quickly reap the rewards of a stronger network that helps you stand out from the competition in 2025.
