Ten Ways To Network Like a Boss #GBS2014

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As mentioned Monday, I spoke about networking at Go Blog Social last weekend, a blogger conference in Kansas City.

Given I attend an average of 5 – 8 events/meetings a week, you can say I have learned a thing or two about meeting new people and working with businesses.

Why am I attending so many events or meet ups? Glad you asked! Between blogging here on Cedar & Rush; pitching ideas to businesses for my women’s social club, Garnish & Glam; writing for CheekyChicago; a member of Windy City Bloggers and Cinq; and attending other bloggers’ events; the opportunities are literally endless. And the results are even better.

I genuinely love meeting people and figuring out creative ways to collaborate. It brings your work to an entire new level and is mutually beneficial for everyone. Not to mention you never know when a connection can be your ticket to what you want. Whether you are looking for a new job, learn from an expert or just want to get your name out there (aka more followers; members; etc.) NETWORKING is the answer. You may be familiar with the saying “it’s not what you know, but who you know“. And from my experience, I am a believer!

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Three of the best opportunities of my blogging career have been through socializing. Working with Bloomingdales (thanks Allison!), writing for CheekyChicago (thanks Kit!) and speaking at Go Blog Social (thanks Amanda!).

Although I shared how to network online and offline at Go Blog Social, I shared my top 10 rules I live by. Anyone can find these helpful. Whether it be dating, at work, or even being with your friends. And although some of these may seem like common sense, I see people fail to do these ALL the time. Little do they know they are causing a huge detriment to themselves and not reaching the full potential of relationships.

So without further ado, here are my Top 10 Tips on How To Network Like a Boss! Hope you enjoy and please email me with any questions, thoughts or questions. Would love to hear from you!

1. Be Nice: No one likes a brat. It is not cool. People like to work with nice people. You may get the first time, but not the next time.

2. Don’t Be Creepy: With all the online portals out there, we are definitely walking a fine line. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter. You name it. Make sure you are not coming on too strong or admitting to all that stalking you may be doing 😉

3. Ask Not What People Can Do For YOU, Ask What YOU Can Do For People: This is the biggest thing I have learned the past year. Help others and it will come back times ten. It’s a little thing called karma. And it is real. If you help someone out of the goodness of your heart, others will want to help you right back. Examples are just going to someone’s event. Sharing an accomplishment of someone with other people. Sending someone a personal note saying how you think you could help them. Introduce someone to someone else.

4. “Eighty Percent of Success Is Showing Up” – Woody Allen: We get tired or we prefer to do something else. Just show up and you never know what will happen or who you will meet.

5. Ask Questions. Engage: When someone asks you a question. Ask them the same question back. Let’s give it a try shall we?

“How are you Nicole?”
“I’m doing great Sean, thank you so much for asking. How are you?“

Simple, I know. But people fail to do this all the time. It is the tiniest thing but is the difference between showing you care and showing you are selfish. It is also exhausting to lead a conversation. Ask questions!

6. Promote Others Without The Expectation Of Something In Return: You will help others and they may not help you back. It happens.

7. Don’t Judge A Book By Its Cover: You never know who knows someone you want to know; where they work; or who they are related to. It’s easy to want to talk to the pretty, well dressed, funny people. Take a chance and get to know someone who is different than you.

8. Everyone Judges A Book By Its Cover: Unfortunately we are humans and first impressions are everything. Present yourself the best you possibly can but still be who you are.

9. Only Ask For 10 Minutes Of Someone’s Time: When I REALLY want to meet someone, they are typically very busy people and several people want to meet them too. The trick is I only ask for ten minutes versus lunch, dinner, etc. It is less of a commitment for them. Meaning they are more willing to say yes and pencil me in. Nine times out of ten this leads to an hour conversation or longer!

10. People Like To Talk About Themselves. Let Them. They Will Like You: I call this the real life #selfie. Try this experiment. Especially if you are on a date! People loooooove talking about themselves. Let someone talk about what they do, like, etc. and only ask questions pertaining to them. They will walk away from you saying “I like that girl!” not knowing a peep about you. It is hysterical but it is true. Try it.

So what about you guys? Do you like to network? Do any of these resonate with you? What is your best networking trick? Share below!

And speaking of networking there are some amazing events coming up the rest of this week! Madewell Shopping Event with The View From 5 ft. 2 and a little Cocktails and Conversation with Catfish and Caviar. See that? I just exercised tip #3!