Networking: How to Build Strong Professional Connections

Turn introductions into meaningful connections with these tips to successfully create strong professional relationships through networking

Turn Introductions into Connections: Tips to Build Strong Professional Connections through Networking

Whether you’re a young professional seeking career advancement or a manager hoping to recruit talent and grow your knowledge, networking is a way to unlock opportunities and build lasting relationships. It’s also an essential tool for business growth, especially for startups and entrepreneurs needing brand visibility, securing new deals, establishing partnerships, or even finding investors.

However, creating new connections isn’t always easy. Finding the right opportunities and then turning introductions into real relationships can be challenging. That’s why our team at Beetroot put together these tips to help you build strong professional connections through networking.

How to Network: Strategies for Making a Better First Impression

When you meet someone for the first time, they form an impression of you right from the handshake. First impressions are hard to change, so it’s important to make a good one from the start. Try these tips to turn introductions into connections and make the best first impression.

1. Set Your Intentions

Before diving into the professional networking world, consider your goals or how you would define your networking purpose. Are you looking for new business? Exploring job opportunities? Seeking investors? Also consider whom you want to connect with — experts in a specific field or employees at a particular company?

Clear goals and a vision of the relationships you want to build will make networking easier; once you know what you want to achieve, it will be easier to pick events that best meet your needs.

2. Choose Networking Events Wisely

When evaluating potential business networking events, assess whether they match the industries and roles you hope to engage with. For example, if you want to meet decision-makers, look for events targeted at executives.

Also keep your personality in mind when selecting an event, so you can be your best self. If you’re introverted, structured or smaller events might suit you better. Or if you don’t drink, you might want to avoid happy hour gatherings.

3. Develop a Strategy

If you can find out ahead who will attend your chosen event, research the participants and the companies they work for, and plan how to engage the people you want to meet. Prepare questions in advance to ensure meaningful conversations with your target contacts. Don’t underestimate the power of personal anecdotes either. "Always prepare some stories to share," says Marco Traina, Founder of Beetroot and member of Beetcommunity. “Everyone loves stories, and they make networking more natural.”

4. Don’t Be Intimidated by Job Titles

Of course, you want to find the right connections for your networking goals, but don’t narrow your scope too much. You might need to meet decision-makers, but also those who influence them. A conversation with a CEO could promote a sale as much as one with a sales director.

Daniela Ciraulo, Head of Grants at RIMED (an international research foundation), advises against being intimidated by high-ranking professionals, whether networking in person or online. "Just reach out," she says. "No matter how successful someone is, if you make a good first impression, there’s a high chance you’ll be appreciated."

5. Keep an Open Mind About Everyone You Meet

It’s important to give every interaction a chance, even if it’s not immediately clear that connection will benefit you. An introduction after an engaging conversation can lead to multiple connections that bring client contacts or new opportunities. So create networking opportunities with targets and goals but don’t be so focused that you miss a great chance.

6. Repeat People’s Names

There are two times you should definitely say someone’s name when networking:

When you meet them for the first time: "Nice to meet you, Mario."

When introducing them to someone else: "This is Mario, he works at this company."

Don’t limit it to just these moments though. Use your conversation partner’s name naturally during discussions. It helps build a deeper connection and, as a bonus, helps you remember their name if you meet again.

7. Be Positive and Avoid Risky Topics

Avoid negativity during interactions, so focus on positive topics. You can connect on a personal level discussing non-business subjects but steer clear of potentially sensitive topics like politics and religion.

8. Pay Attention to Body Language

Body language matters when meeting someone for the first time. Project openness by maintaining good eye contact, nodding at the right moments, and standing with open arms. Avoid crossing arms, yawning, or leaning on things as these behaviors can make you seem bored or uninterested.

Also watch the other person’s body language. If they seem like they’d rather be somewhere else, gracefully exit the conversation. Starting a conversation with someone new is a better use of time than trying to salvage a bad one.

9. Be a Good Listener

People like talking about themselves, especially to those interested in what they say. Ask thoughtful questions and let the other person respond, then follow up. Show you were listening by adding to the conversation instead of refocusing on yourself.

Use the 70/30 conversation rule and try to speak only 30% of the time while networking. Keep your phone out of sight to avoid distractions.

10. Explain What You Do

Stating your title and company doesn’t give people a chance to connect; it’s better to explain what you actually do. For example, instead of "I’m HR Director at Company X," say "I recruit talent and create employee engagement programs at Company X."

Prepare a brief intro describing your role to give the other person a common ground and follow-up questions.

11. Be Generous

If you find a way to help the person you’re talking with, you have a chance to build a real relationship. You might share an article relevant to a problem they’re facing or offer to introduce them to someone who can help their business. Being helpful leaves a positive impression and gives a good reason to continue the relationship.

12. Follow Up with Your New Connections

Getting a connection from a conversation is great, but ultimately, you need a reason to reconnect. Research people ahead, ask smart questions while talking to understand why you might follow up.

Make your follow-ups meaningful and use them to deepen conversations beyond pleasantries. If you mentioned an article or book, send the link and ask for their thoughts. If you offered to do something, be sure to do it promptly.

For important contacts aligned with your goals, stay in touch but always have a good reason to do so.

13. Network Everywhere

Finding the right business networking events is smart, but always stay alert for opportunities in everyday life.

"Say hi to everyone, every day," says Marco Traina. "Saying hello costs nothing and can give you a chance to start a conversation about what you’re working on."

Start conversations with people in line for coffee, at your office, or in a coworking space. You never know which relationships might help you professionally along the way.

The Best Way to Network Effectively is to Always Nurture Your Connections

While it’s important to make new connections to advance your professional and business goals, nurturing those you already have is even more important. Your existing network could be the source of your next job, partner, or client.

The spaces at Beetcommunity focus on creating a true community of professionals where members are never far from their next opportunity, thanks to professional networking events and the chance to connect with other professionals and companies via a virtual platform.

If you want to learn more about our still-growing professional community, join the Facebook group Beetcommunity | Connected Professionals.