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6 Laws of Effortless Networking
Keith Rosen
Rely on the pull approach to networking rather than pushing for the result. To build off the concept I mentioned in number five, Cindy now has a bevy of topics to discuss with the lucky person who she begins to talk to at her next social event. However, instead of talking about yourself, talk about them. Often, when people are nervous they try to find a safe haven, a topic they are used to and comfortable discussing. So they wind up talking about themselves. Use this as a leverage point. Take the topics I mentioned earlier and craft some questions around them that you can ask another person to stimulate conversation and get them talking about themselves. Inevitably, they will eventually start asking you questions, especially as it relates to your career. Now, you’ve just created the opening to discuss what you do without even trying.
Finally, instead of asking yourself, “Why would that person want to talk to me?” change the question you are asking yourself to, “Why would I want to talk with them?” “How can I deliver value or assist them?” “What can I learn from them?” These questions shift your balance of power back to you so that you are at choice rather than being on the defensive or feel as if you have to come up with reasons as to why someone would want to talk to you. Now that you are in the mode of inquiry, this change in your mindset will stimulate some questions you can ask them as they relate to the topics I mentioned in number five.
After taking the time to adopt this new philosophy and approach, Cindy said that changing her thinking about networking helped tremendously. She developed a more positive outlook and feels comfortable striking up a conversation; making small talk even bigger.
Effective networking will expand your bandwidth and position you in front of more targeted prospects.
To maximize your networking efforts, remember, don’t take yourself so seriously. You will be amazed what you attract when you detach from the outcome of having to generate new business and just have fun.
