'How to Network' Enrichment Week

On the 22nd October we had a variety of people come to talk to us from different work backgrounds (Open reach, RIO (Real Ideas Organisation), practicing artist, Elixel, Digital Plymouth). They were here to talk to us about their experience with networking and to give us some tips and tricks on how to become more confident in doing it ourselves.

There is formal and informal networking. There are morning, lunchtime and evening events. Morning ones will also tend to be quite formal whereas lunchtime and evening events tend to be more relaxed.

If you are nervous just remember that everyone is in the same place as you - you can ask the organiser to help them say its your first time and they may introduce you to some of the people you wanted to meet.

If you are nervous at a formal networking find someone who looks just a nervous and introduce yourself, the coffee station is a very good place to start conversations as people will be more comfortable and relaxed there, is someone wearing something you like? Complement them on it, conversations should start form there and then weave in the networking and business stuff from there.

However if you are getting to nervous and anxious, its okay to leave and come back once you've calmed down, don't keep going and going as you aren't going to enjoy it or get anything out of it.

Go to networking events that have talks beforehand if you are not confident at starting conversations as it can give you common ground to talk about.

Go to more gallery opening is a good place to meet people or just listen to conversations to listen to how people network if your not feeling confident in actually speaking to any one.

Make sure not to get stuck in conversations that you aren't going to get anything out of, make polite excuses of why you need to move on/leave.

They told us that you need to prepare yourself before you try and network. Have an idea of what you want to tell people 'this is who I am and this is what I want to do'. Do some research before you go, have an approach so you make sure you get something out of it. Its really important that if you promise something to someone actually do it as it will make you look bad if you don't. Once you've made a connection use it!

Don't underestimate the power of telling the people closest to you what you want to do, then work out from there as you don't know who might know someone that can help you out. Your friends and family are your biggest advocates, they will want to help you out the most.

They advised us to get an accurate, real and up-to-date profile on LinkedIn so that people can look you up before and after an event.

Group shows and exhibitions are great for networking. Try and find out who's coming, if you like there work, know a little bit about them as people love to be complimented it makes them interested in who you are.

Elevated pitch is a 30 second introduction into who you are and what you are about. If you do multiple things find something about the person before you pitch to them that way you can tailor the pitch; keep in mind what they want to hear not just what you want to tell them as you need to keep them interested if you want to work with them

Start to build up a brand and make it consistent, make sure it comes across in all your social media and websites. What is your vision, what do you want for yourself (what do you want to create), what are your values (what is an essential part of you) what is your behaviour (how to you differentiate yourself).

PCA shows for the exhibitions are great for meeting people - and its free!

Plymouth is great for networking as the networking stream is so so strong.

Don't see your competitors as enemies you can probably help each other out, generally you aren't competing you are building each other up

Collaboration not competition

Business manners are so important, before you walk in to an event, stop breath and think about why you want to be there. Business etiquette is so important when you meet someone shake their hand and introduce yourself, eye contact is so important.

When ringing someone say who you are and where you met them.

Not all connections will blossom straight away but don't palm them off if you felt a connection as they will come in useful later down the line, go and get coffee, Skype them every couple of months. Don't just keep up with them online touch base with them to show you are generally interested. It is easy to think you are keeping up with them as you are seeing what they are doing If you are seeing what they are doing online.

Don't be afraid to drop people an email or call them even if you've never met them but like the sound what they do.

I found this talk very helpful as I am not confident talking to people I don't know. I am not very good at networking and I have never gone to a networking event but it is something I keep telling myself it is something I should do, I am just trying to build the confidence to go. After this talk a feel a little more confident that it is something I can do.