Five rules for good networking etiquette

Five rules for good networking etiquette 5 Rules For Good Networking EtiquettePosted March 15, 2016, by Jordan Huidekoper If theres one thing thats sure to improve your business, its networking. Connecting with like-minded professionals in your industry is a fantastic way to learn, grow your business and be inspired. However, its leid as easy as calling someone up to ask for a few favours or pieces of advice. There are certain rules and guidelines you need to follow when building your professional network. These are part of whats called networking etiquette a code of best behaviour in the business world. Lets take a look at the top five rules for good networking etiquette. Keep these in mind during your networking journey and your book of contacts will be overflowing in no time. Rule 1. Keep things friendly, yet professional Networking is all about building business relationships, but remember the key word here is business. After all, youre focusing on your career here, elend your s ocial life Be sure to keep all your exchanges professional and have your business needs in mind at all times. Your communication channels need to be businesslike, too. When it comes to networking, your Hotmail account and your personal mobile number just arent going to cut it. Try Gmail or Zoho for a custom email address and eVoice for a professional phone number. Similarly, add business contacts to LinkedIn, not Facebook. Rule 2. Build an equal relationship Networking is a two-way street. Building business relationships involves giving help and advice to other professionals as well as getting things in return. For example, if youre seeking someones opinion or asking them to help you out on a project, its only fair that youve offered them something similar in return (or plan to do so in the future). This kind of mutually beneficial connection is what you want to achieve when networking. Rule 3. Be open, honest and trustworthy Theres no place for sneakiness or hidden motives when it comes to networking. You dont want someone to think youre only trying to connect with them to gain a few referrals, or to bleed them dry of their best business advice. Instead, you want to be open and honest right from the start. Have a frank discussion with fhigkeit connections about what youre hoping to gain from networking with them, and what theyd like to gain from connecting with you. Rule 4. Network with relevance Dont try to network with anyone and everyone. Restrict your professional contacts and engagements to people and businesses in your industry those whom you think it would be beneficial to develop a connection with. Dont forget that the relationship has to be beneficial for them too. When considering a new connection, identify three things their area of expertise, how they might be able to help you out professionally, and how you might do the same for them. These three factors will help you determine whether a business connection will be relevant or not. Rule 5. Dont expect too much Again, this comes back to the point about equal business relationships. Dont ask more of your connections than youd be willing to give yourself. Exchanging advice, assistance and services is fantastic, but make sure you draw the line. As a professional, there are certain things you would not do without charging a fee. If youre expecting someone else to give you these things without you paying for them, youll quickly lose their interest and respect. Networking can often lead to successful partnerships, in which one or both parties employs the other to complete work with or for them. You need to recognise when its time to stop asking for services and start paying for them instead. And again, this goes both ways dont be afraid to charge people for your services when you think the time is right to do so Looking to take your career to the next level? 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