Schmoozing 101
The Best Ways, Places to Cast Your Networking Net
In todays world, its not what you know or who you know, but who knows you.
Gaining and perfecting the ability to meet and make a powerful and positive impression on people will become ever more important to advancing your career and accomplishing your dreams.
Here are some tips to get you started on mastering the art of networking in Cincinnati.
Networking.
What is it? What does it mean? How do you do it?
It used to be that Heres my card was enough. Today, with e-mail,
Blackberrys and MySpace, you are going to need a telepathic personal
assistant if you dont have plans to get out there and fight to be
noticed.
Walter Chrysler once said, The reason so many people never get
anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in
the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. So that means you have to
do this on your own. You have to make this happen. It used to
be about who you know. Today, its about who knows
you.
How does one network in Cincinnati? How do you get out there and make
it so that people wonder how they ever lived without you? These five
tips should help you get started.
1. Network with a Purpose
Go to an event knowing that networking is what you are there to do.
There are several organizations in town that have pure networking
events. Consider it extreme home networking. It happens strong, and it
happens fast. You go in, sell yourself, give out your card, receive
cards from others and leave. There is the occasional
Ally-McBeal-after-work-hang-out-to-meet-someone, but knowing you are at
a definite networking spot helps tremendously since you are all there
to do the same thing. Seek out those opportunities, prepare your
30-second verbal commercial and arm yourself with a stack of business
cards. Here are some great local networking groups to look into:
2. The Follow up
When someone gives you their card, write a little something on it such
as where you met, if that person is called by a nickname or something
else that will help you remember them. This will also help give that
personal touch to your follow up. And, please, follow up! It may seem
quaint, but a written thank you/nice to have met you note is an
incredible way to get noticed. Who sends hand written notes anymore?
you may ask. The answer is You do! A thank you note sits on a desk
and gets noticed. An e-mail gets lower down the list as numerous
e-mails come each day. Do the math.
3. Presentation
Now, this isnt about the look of your business card. This, my friend,
is about you. First off, know your audience and dress
appropriately. A fundraiser benefit is different from a soiree or from
a networking event. No matter what it is though, dress conservatively.
Club clothes are club clothes. Yes, we are women in a male
dominated business world, but dont go showing off what makes us women.
You will be remembered that way, thats for sure; but you wont get
that follow-up call. However, while were at it, dont go to the
opposite extreme either. Just because we work with men, doesnt mean we
have to dress like them. Add a little sparkle to your black suit. Be
the nicely dressed woman in the black dress and feminine pink scarf.
Just a general duh here, but behave. A cocktail reception with an
open bar doesnt mean that people will understand why youre a little
tipsy. Watch your language, and avoid gossip of any kind. This town is
too small. You are going to find someone who knows someone who knows
someone. (And doesnt it all just lead to Kevin Bacon anyway?)
4. Branch out
Volunteer. Take a class. (Shameless plug: Watch for my article on
taking local classes in the upcoming Nov. 5 issue of Cincy Chic.)
Expand your repertoire. Open your mind to the possibility that you may
find what you need in a person at the doctors office, the zoo or in
that person you thought wasnt cool at all. Are you a member of your
Alma Maters local alumni group? Check them out. I bet those school
bullies that picked on nerdy Bill Gates are kicking themselves now.
5. Sell Yourself
Know who you are, what you do and your strengths, and be able to
communicate it quickly and concisely. No life stories. We are all busy
people, so be like Zorro: Get in, make your mark and get out. And keep
in mind that a few good contacts are better than just a collection of
cards.
So, there you go. No more backyard four-leaf-clover-pickers. Walk right
through opportunitys door. Shake a hand, make a contact and be proud
of who you are and what you bring to the table. Go get em girls!!
| Missy Whitis - |
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Missy Whitis, a public school music and drama teacher for more than 10 years, is also a freelance contributor for Cincy Chic.
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