How to Network Like a Pro. (Business Networking )

Hi, I'm Feliz from HubSpot and today I'm going to teach you a little bit about networking. If you enjoy this video, don't forget to like it and subscribe to our channel. Post any questions or suggestions you have in the comments below. Let's get started did you know that 70% of jobs are found through personal relationships? Whether you're trying to develop your personal career or forge new business relationships, making offline personal connections has become easier, even more critical as online social networking becomes the norm. Networking is a buzzword that many of us have a serious love hate relationship with. Sure, we all want to expand our network by meeting new people in our industry, but actually meeting them can feel like a middle school dance all over again. A painfully awkward middle school dance. This video will help you navigate those uncomfortable face to face networking situations so the next time you step into a room of potential connections, you you'll be as cool as a cucumber Strategy Number have a clear goal in mind Next time you're going to an event? Ask yourself who do I want to meet and why? If a guest list is available, take the moment to scan it. See a person or company on the list you've been hoping to connect with. Look up the guest's LinkedIn profile to learn a little bit more about them so you can seek them out at the event. Having a clear goal in mind will make networking less ambiguous and lead to more effective connections. Strategy Number two have some conversation starters ready to go. Broaching a big or small group can be intimidating, but with the right approach, you can join in on an existing conversation or start your own. Successfully ease into the evening by introducing yourself to one person who is also flying solo and looking for someone to talk to. Read up on industry news and trends beforehand so you'll be prepared to spark conversation and and ask for their thoughts on the topics that are interesting to both of you. Whoever you approach first relieves some of the awkwardness with informed, relevant conversation starters to get into the swing of things together. Strategy number when in doubt, ask a relevant question. If the conversation starts to lull, shift the focus of the conversation to the person you're talking to. By asking relevant questions, you may be thinking, how can I make connections if we just talk about them the whole time? And to that I would say showing genuine interest in another person can say more about you than talking about yourself could. Strategy number four if you want something, ask for it. The highlight of networking events we all fantasize about is leaving with a concrete exchange that will move our business or career forward. If you have an ask to make of someone, go ahead and ask it, but make sure you frame it in a way that shows how it benefits them. For example, if you're asking for a job opportunity, ask about the problems facing their business and explain how your unique skills can help them out. Strategy Number Make a Graceful Exit and Follow up the goal of networking isn't to meet as many people as you can, it's to make valuable connections. While it's important not to rush through conversations for this reason, there are times when we need to jump ship. If you need to get out of a torturous conversation, end the discussion in the moment, but keep it feeling open ended for the future. When you do make a valuable connection, be sure to follow up afterwards. Following up with a personal connection helps you differentiate and solidify the relationship. Need some additional help getting started? Click the link in the description below for more. Thanks for watching. If you enjoyed this video, be sure to like it and subscribe. Let me know how you're doing in the comments below.