Take a little advice from Ron Burgundy when you’re networking and “stay classy.”
Networking is vital to your freelance success, but it’s important to do it with class. At its core, networking is about promoting yourself and your skills. Striking up a conversation with someone is one thing, but how do you pitch your skills without sounding like an over-eager salesman?
Don’t worry; we’ve got the answers. Freelancer and PR consultant Tiffany Bradshaw hosts networking events and helped us put together this list of tips to help you network in a classy, natural way.
Strike Up A Conversation
Whether you’re networking at an event or through an online writer’s forum, starting a conversation is the first step to building a relationship. If you’re meeting someone in person a simple, “What brings you to this event?” will suffice. Keep it simple and light.
Do Your Homework
If there is a particular person you want to meet at an event, do your homework so you can impress them when you meet face-to-face. Compliment a specific piece of work or chat about a hobby you have in common to get the conversation rolling.
First Impressions Matter
As soon as you walk into a room, people are evaluating you, Bradshaw says. Wear something stylish, yet appropriate. Be respectful. Keep your body language in check and let your enthusiasm shine through.
Have A Pitch Ready
Be able to describe yourself and what you do in 30 seconds, Bradshaw suggests. It’s the old elevator pitch. When the conversation naturally turns to work, you can chime in with a brief description of what you do. Work on your pitch before you go to the event so you can maximize your time.
Work To Help Others
Make a point to help others. For instance, if you meet a head of a non-profit organization that mentions a need for press releases, offer to lend a hand. People respond to generosity and are more likely return the favor by using you for work in the future. We’re not saying you should go around and offer your work for free, but sometimes being friendly wins more work than a pitch.
Don’t Dismiss Anyone
You never know how a contact will help you in the future, so don’t pass judgment and assume the person you’re talking to can’t help your career. If you must, excuse yourself politely. Say something like, “It’s been great talking with you. Let’s exchange business cards and stay in touch.”
Always Give People An Out
If you’re chatting with one person for a while, be aware of their time. After all, they are there to network too. In your conversation, say things like, “Don’t let me keep you” or offer to send details about a project via email so everyone can continue to work the room.
Get Business Cards And Follow Up
Bradshaw says you should always exchange business cards. It may be helpful to scratch a few notes on each one to remind you later about your conversation. After the event, send a follow-up email. Even if the contact isn’t a potential client, send an email anyway saying it was nice to meet them. If you did talk shop, act fast. Send an email soon before your window of time closes.
You don’t have to be salesy when you network, just be yourself. Be friendly and prepared to talk about how you can help elevate a company’s content and marketing efforts. Keep it classy and you’ll get the contacts you need to boost your business.
