🖥️ Have a strong online presence

An online presence will enhance your networking endeavours, so it is advisable that you create a professional profile on relevant social media sites. LinkedIn and X (was Twitter) are strong platforms for all businesses, while Facebook and Instagram are arguably more appropriate for ‘business to consumer’ organisations. Use your social media profiles to post updates, blogs and commentaries, with links to your website. Make sure all social media pages are kept up to date and that they showcase your skills and experience. Regular activity and engagement on social media will lead to online networking that generates new connections. Follow the profiles and pages of fellow Shout Network members to boost engagement and provide support.

Ask Shout Network:
How to engage effectively online and extend your reach across the network.

🚀 Be clear about what you want to achieve

Before you start networking, it’s important to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. This will help you focus your efforts on identify the right people to connect with and the best events to attend. You may want your networking to target a particular sector or geographical area. There may be a specific individual you want to speak to.

Ask Shout Network:
How we can help you access the people you want to network with.

💡 Be realistic about networking outcomes

Becoming a Shout Network member gives you access to regular networking events where you can establish yourself, amongst members and beyond, as an expert in your field. Remember, however, that networking is a slow burn and very much a two-way process. Don’t expect to visit a networking group and come away with a year’s worth of business! Make sure you take plenty of business cards with you and ask other networkers to connect with you on LinkedIn.

Ask Shout Network:
Which groups are available within your preferred area and how to get a free pass to a Shout Network meeting.

🚫 Don’t be too polite

Networkers don’t stand on ceremony! Everyone attends networking events with the primary objective of growing their businesses, so don’t be too polite. Have the confidence to walk up to people and join in their conversation. No-one will find that to be rude behaviour. It is to everyone’s benefit that conversations run freely without having to wait to be invited.

Ask Shout Network:
How the Customer Service team can help you grown in confidence as a networker.

🗣️ Listen carefully for genuine engagement

To make a positive impression at a networking group, it is crucial that you show interest and listen carefully when other networkers tell you about their business. A glazed-over look, while scanning the room for a more interesting conversation, is an off-putting red flag that will affect your chance of genuine engagement.

Ask Shout Network:
For guidance on the kind of behaviours that can create barriers with other members.

🚫 Don’t sell to the room

New networkers often make the mistake of blatantly selling to other attendees during a meeting. This is highly unlikely to yield results. It’s an approach that is frowned upon because it demonstrates very little interest in other networkers’ businesses. Networking is a two-way process that is aimed at mutually benefitting all parties. Relationships are built on trust over time, not direct selling.

Ask Shout Network:
How to develop relationships within networking groups that lead to sales.

🤩 Gradually build rapport

If you see a group of people you’d like to speak to, don’t rudely butt into the conversation and introduce yourself. Join the group, make eye contact and politely wait. In most cases you will be welcomed into the conversation and given the opportunity to introduce yourself. If you’re not acknowledged, try to join in with the conversation gradually. If it’s clearly a private conversation, simply excuse yourself and move onto a more friendly group!

Ask Shout Network:
For tips on networking icebreakers, building rapport and leaving a lasting impression.

🤝 Support other members

When told about the services offered by other businesses, help them wherever possible to generate sales by referring them to your relevant contacts, or use your expertise and experience to suggest opportunities and routes to market that they may not have previously considered.

Ask Shout Network:
How you can proactively support other member businesses.

😁 Invite others to join in conversations

Being polite also extends to when you are involved in a conversation and another networker approaches your group. Always show interest in others by inviting them to participate in conversations, particularly if you are a member of an established networking group and someone is visiting for the first time. When chatting in a group you should also include everyone in the conversation rather than just look at one person.

Ask Shout Network:
Questions to ask to learn more about other members’ businesses and how you can help them.