Improve Your Networking Skills

I just read a post/article on 3 ways to improve your networking skills. Here are the 3 ways (click here to read the article for their reasoning):

1) Make New Friends By Helping Others
2) Selective Networking: Kiss Ass
3) Learn and Practice the Art of Following Up

I’m good with all of them except number 2 … and it maybe it is just their choice of wording for it. I would replace it with ‘build relationships.’ The days of ‘I do something for you, you do something for me’ are starting to dwindle. You can accomplish more by paying attention to details and making a connection with someone. Just doing someone a favor or bringing them coffee is not a memorable way to enter someones radar.

My biggest rule for networking is to not burn any bridge. You never know when a situation will arise and you need to reach out to a person who has access to a specific market, job opportunity, or idea.

Say hello to strangers, start a conversation, and look for the opportunity … they are all around you. I make it a goal to talk to 3 new people each day.