How to become a Master Networker Part 1

Networking these days is crucial for getting everything from new clients, new employees, jobs, keeping abreast of industry trends, to getting the right information. Unfortunately, we’re not taught how to network at college, so I thought we’d cover some of the key traits of a master networker.

Networking is more than just shaking hands and passing out business cards. Based on a survey by networking guru, Dr Misner conducted of more than 2,000 people throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it’s about building your “social capital.” The highest-rated traits in the survey were the ones related to developing and maintaining good relationships.

The following traits were ranked in order of their perceived importance to networking. They’re the traits that will make you a “master networker.”

1: Follows up on Referrals

The No. 1 trait of successful networkers. If you present an opportunity, whether it’s a simple piece of information, a special contact or a qualified business referral, to someone who consistently fails to follow up successfully, it’s no secret that you’ll eventually stop wasting your time with this person.

2: Positive Attitude

A consistently negative attitude makes people dislike being around you and drives away referrals. Positive business professionals are like magnets. Others want to be around them and will send their friends, family and associates to them.

Communicate well, and listen well to establish a valuable relationship

3: Enthusiastic

It’s been said that the best sales characteristic is enthusiasm. To be respected within our networks, we at least need to sell ourselves with enthusiasm. Once we’ve done an effective job of selling ourselves, we’ll be able to reap the reward of seeing our contacts sell us to others!

4: Trustworthiness

When you refer one person to another, you’re putting your reputation on the line. You have to be able to trust your referral partner and be trusted in return. Neither you nor anyone else will refer a contact or valuable information to someone who can’t be trusted to handle it well.

5: Good Listening Skills

Our success as networkers depends on how well we can listen and learn. The faster you and your networking partner learn what you need to know about each other, the faster you’ll establish a valuable relationship. Communicate well, and listen well.

The next five coming soon…