As people become increasingly wrapped up in social media, networking is in danger of becoming a lost art. Networking is still the most reliable way to get promoted, land lucrative contracts, and find choice jobs.

Everybody should know how to be a good networker, both online and off-line. Network relationships are most powerful when based on real-world connections, and social media can help by keeping these connections alive. Read on to learn how to blend classic techniques with modern social media.

Cardinal Rules of Networking

Some people refer to this as a personal branding. Your personal brand is the combination of your best skills, passions, and personality. Networking etiquette requires you to explain your brand in a few sentences without coming off as pompous or overzealous. In order to do this, you must know thyself.

To develop your brand, take a few moments to jot down your strengths and passions. Practice introducing yourself to strangers in front of a mirror or role-playing with friends and family. Use your new introduction when you meet people. Also incorporate your introduction into your social media headlines and profiles.

2. Focus on People You Can Help

Networking is about more than just the people at the event. It's important to remember that the people you meet know many other people they could connect you with. They won't do that if they don’t trust you or like you. Rather than focusing on finding one or two people that can help you, focus on finding one or two people you can help. If you help them, they will open up their connections to you.

3. Take Notes

Take notes regarding who you meet. It can be much harder than you might think to remember important details when you look back at all of the business cards you collected. Excuse yourself to someplace private after every couple of conversations and take notes regarding pertinent details on the business card the person gave you. This will be invaluable as a reference tool when you contact the person in the following days.

4. Respect Limits

Limits come in many shapes and sizes. Understanding limits is critical, and a secret to how to be a good networker. For example, contacts made at a social occasion like a wedding or party may not want to “talk shop”. Pay attention to body language cues. If you feel like that person could be a valuable connection, politely ask to exchange business cards and follow-up in a few days.

Limits also manifest in attention span and patience. If your contact seems disinterested, distracted, or impatient, politely end the interaction. Tell the person you enjoyed meeting and thank them for their time.

5. Look the Part

Dressing professionally is one of the unspoken rules of networking. You never know who you are going to meet, which is why it is always helpful to look professional. This does not mean you have to wear a suit to the grocery store, but it is always wise to dress nicely and groom yourself. This is doubly true if you are attending networking events such as business association luncheons, office parties, trade shows, etc.

6. Use Your Manners

Minding P’s & Q’s will establish that you respect others which instantly increases credibility. Manners are one of the secret tools for how to network well.

There are lots of ways to demonstrate manners beyond the basics of “please” and “thank you”. One of the most important is to allow other people to speak without interrupting them. This demonstrates listening ability, discipline, and respect for others.

Gratefulness is a powerful element of networking etiquette. It is inadvertently overlooked as business relationships become more transactional. After making a contact, send them a thank you note – either through social media, email, voicemail, or even an old-fashioned handwritten note.

7. Use Professional Language

When connecting with somebody, use professional language. Avoid overuse of slang, cuss words, or off-color jokes. On the other side of the coin, avoid being overly technical or using company lingo. This goes for social profiles as well. Keep your language open, professional, and approachable so that contacts form positive impressions and feel like they can talk to you.

8. Set the Next Step

When you meet someone who you have a great connection with, set the next step. Ask them if they would like to go to lunch, coffee or meet at your office to learn more about each other. When they agree, tell them you will send them an email later that day (or the next) to solidify the details.

9. Stay in Touch

Social media makes it easy to stay in touch, which is at the heart of how to network well. After you meet in person, connect through social media. LinkedIn is preferred, but not everybody uses it. If using Google+ or Facebook, organize professional contacts in their own groups.

Exercise discretion when choosing what to share. Post things that represent your personal brand and provide value; interesting articles, professional questions, accomplishments, and resources.

It is okay to sprinkle in a bit of personal information, but be sparing and purposeful in the personal things you share. Avoid hot-button political issues, religious posts, and off-color humor. You may want to avoid sharing information about family status as a current contact could be your future boss.

How to Be a Good Networker? It’s all about relationships.

Networking is all about relationships. It is all about building rapport, trust, and name recognition.
Interpersonal skills and etiquette are at the heart of the matter. Being aware of the unwritten rules of networking will help you distinguish yourself. Mastering the unwritten code that is networking etiquette will make your efforts more fruitful and help you be successful in the long run.

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