Socializing With a Goal in Mind: 3 Tips for Productive Networking

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Olbrich Beer Garden Networking Social

I’ve belonged to several networking groups, and I have found you get more out of the time you spend outside business referral group meetings. Coffee, lunch, drinks…it’s more casual. I’ve included 3 tips for productive networking below.

I aim to connect with three new people and set up meetings with them over lunch or coffee. If you wind up hanging out with the friends you already know, it’s pretty much a social. If you ask those friends to introduce you to people you don’t know, that makes it productive.

Eleanor Roosevelt said her private, relaxed gatherings were conducive to productive meetings. You learn a lot when you’re in a more low-key setting. You feel free to talk — share common interests. Those conversations create connections, trust and loyalty.

Recently, in one of my morning meetings, the energy was really high. People were chatting it up when the president finally called the meeting to order. We had a social planned for that evening, and the buzz about that social had us all happy and ready to face the day, knowing we had something fun to look forward to.

Here are three tips for productive networking:

1. When networking, ask people you know to connect you with new people.

It’s okay to hang out with your friends and business associates. And this is the perfect time to ask them to introduce you to their friends and business associates.

2. Connect with three new people and schedule time with them.

Make it a goal to meet three new people. Send a followup email or call and invite them to meet. Follow that up with a thank you, even if it’s via messaging. (A handwritten note is special.)

3. Spend your time doing what you enjoy.

Schedule meetings doing things you enjoy: a drink at your favorite watering hole, a walk by the lake, bowling! Meeting in an office or conference room has its place, but nurturing a new relationship should be fun. Doing things you enjoy will bring out the best in you. And your new acquaintance will get to know the real you.

We need to work, but we can make that work more enjoyable by being creative and including elements of fun. Isn’t that what life is about? Figure out your passions, the things that make you happy, and put those passions into your daily life. Contact me if you like to bowl or if you want to talk about your next design project!

Thanks to Crimson Sun Studios for the sweet picture!