By Judith Lee

Last week’s blog, “The Original Social”, aroused enough comments to make me feel that a followup is in order.

Many readers agreed that personal networking is essential to building a business or a career, and that young professionals will benefit from some coaching. In Networking 101, I’m sharing my view of the basics which have served me well to build my business.

1. Put down the phone. When you arrive at a networking event, take a moment to look at text messages, email, social media. Then silence the phone and put it away! Enter the event, and be truly present. The digital world is fascinating, but it does not trump the real world.
2. Eye contact, handshake and smile. The people who make the best impression make eye contact, shake hands firmly, and smile. There is no substitution for this in our culture. Other people judge your character, and by association, your business by this first impression.
3. Your name please. Don’t make people ask you for your name – offer it, plus the name of your company or type of business. This is a simple courtesy, but also very important to making a positive impression.
4. Their name please. Dale Carnegie’s classic How to Win Friends and Influence People says using a person’s name is one of the six ways to make that person like you. Yes, it’s as simple as that – people like to hear their own name, so get good at remembering them.
5. What to talk about. My pet peeve is business people who just talk about themselves. Instead, talk about the other person – what is their business and business challenges? Find out about them as a human being – where do they live, do they have kids, what do they do for fun? You will earn many more points than if you engage in relentless self-promotion.
6. What next. Collect business cards and make notes on the cards to help you remember “who is who.” Then reach out with an email or text message to invite that person to have coffee or some other casual meeting. If you think the other person would benefit from meeting some other business or professional person you know, reach out by email with a mutual introduction.
7. Do it again – and again. Networking isn’t something you do once or twice. You need to show up at events over and over, and follow up after, to make any kind of lasting impression. Who sticks in your mind? The guy or gal who keeps showing up, makes a positive impression, and asks you about how you’re doing. It really is as simple as that.

Where’s the best place to network in Chester County? Select a gathering that offers you the largest concentration of business prospects in your target location. For me, Southern Chester County Chamber and Western Chester County Chamber; I also like Women’s Business Connection.

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Judith Lee is a marketing and communications professional who focuses on social media and email marketing based in Atglen. She is a SCORE Volunteer and the Chair-Elect of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. Her posts on marketing and social media are a regular Monday morning feature on VISTA Today. She can be reached at 610-368-2058 or via email at judithlee@epix.net. Photos courtesy of Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry.

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Top photo courtesy of Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry