Easily Avoid These Networking Mistakes

Professional networking sounds simple enough: attend events, connect with other people in the field and discover new opportunities. Truly effective networking is rarely that straightforward though — it requires time, attention and regular communication. By avoiding a few common mistakes, you can build a powerful network of business contacts that benefits everyone involved.

Not Offering Value

Professional networking is a two-way street — if you fail to offer value to others, you can quickly gain a reputation as someone who takes freely without giving back. Consider your interactions with people at professional events. Do you offer to introduce people to specific industry contacts? Do you pass on useful information or invite your contacts to events? After events, do you keep in contact with the people you meet, even if it's just sending a short text or email? If you answered no to these questions, you might not be holding up your end of the deal.

Keeping it All Online

With the popularity of social media sites, it's all too easy to make the mistake of solely connecting online. While online interactions are an important and convenient part of professional networking, they don't have the same impact as in-person conversations. Face-to-face meetings enable you to engage in meaningful conversations and establish true connections. At a minimum, try to make it to one event each month. In doing so, you can help others get to know you on a deeper level.

Failing to Branching Out

Professional networking events often involve people from the same industry. If you live or work in a small region, you might keep running into the same people at every event. When you fail to branch out, you miss out on the opportunity to interact with an entirely different crowd of people who can help you move forward. Start small by breaking away from your usual group and talking to one new person at regularly scheduled events. Then, consider attending events for complementary industries to find new, mutually beneficial connections. A technical writer might attend engineering- or science-themed events to meet potential clients, while a personal trainer might make valuable partnerships at events centered around various medical or health topics.

Reaching Out When You're In Need

Effective professional networking is a long game that takes time and consistency. One common mistake is waiting to network when you're in need. It's unfair to expect brand new contacts to provide referrals or pass on job recommendations when you're unemployed, and desperation can drive you to unprofessional or unreasonable requests. Instead, continue networking and building strong relationships within your industry. That way, when you need a job or a favor, you can ask with confidence.

Done well, professional networking can advance your career and lead to exciting new avenues. By avoiding these mistakes, you can create a solid network that sees you through tough times.

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