Latest / The Confident Entrepreneur With Jennifer Ann Johnson / Your New Networking Mindset Starts Here With Jennifer Ann Johnson
Transcript
- 0:37Jennifer Johnson: We've all heard the phrase it's not what you know, it's who you know.
- 0:40Jennifer Johnson: While skills and knowledge are undoubtedly crucial in the business world, the power of your network can be the differentiator between success and stagnation.
- 0:49Jennifer Johnson: So let's explore why networking is so important and how you can leverage it to boost your business.
- 0:55Jennifer Johnson: Before we dive deeper, let's define what we mean by business networking.
- 1:00Jennifer Johnson: At its core, networking is the process of building and maintaining those professional relationships.
- 1:06Jennifer Johnson: It's not just about collecting business cards or adding connections on LinkedIn.
- 1:10Jennifer Johnson: True networking is about creating meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships with other professionals, whether they're in your industry or not.
- 1:18Jennifer Johnson: And networking can happen anywhere, at formal business events, industry conferences, community gatherings and maybe even casual social settings.
- 1:28Jennifer Johnson: The key is to approach these interactions with authenticity and with a genuine interest in building those connections.
- 1:35Jennifer Johnson: So why is it so crucial in the business world?
- 1:40Jennifer Johnson: Well, there's many reasons, and one of those is opportunities.
- 1:45Jennifer Johnson: Your network can open doors to new business opportunities and partnerships and people that you may have never discovered on your own, which can then increase your knowledge.
- 1:56Jennifer Johnson: It's knowledge sharing it allows you to tap into that diverse pool of knowledge and experience that other people have, which helps you learn and grow both personally and professionally.
- 2:07Jennifer Johnson: And then it's also about visibility.
- 2:10Jennifer Johnson: Regular networking increases your visibility in professional circles and that can lead to more business and career advancement opportunities.
- 2:19Jennifer Johnson: I have known many people who've had a business and they weren't sure if they wanted to continue doing their business or not.
- 2:25Jennifer Johnson: They connected with somebody else who had a business and they were hired by that person.
- 2:30Jennifer Johnson: So you just never know what opportunities are lurking around the corner.
- 2:34Jennifer Johnson: Networking can also help you problem solve.
- 2:38Jennifer Johnson: When you're facing business challenges, your network can be an invaluable source of advice and solution and support even, which then in turn helps you boost your confidence.
- 2:50Jennifer Johnson: As you become more confident in your business and more comfortable networking, you're going to see an increase in your confidence, which is going to impact every single area of your business.
- 3:00Jennifer Johnson: See an increase in your confidence, which is going to impact every single area of your business.
- 3:02Jennifer Johnson: And when I was talking about knowledge and knowledge sharing, that goes also hand in hand with resource sharing.
- 3:09Jennifer Johnson: Maybe it's a referral to another vendor that this other person that you were introduced to uses, or it's a new tool or another new network.
- 5:45Jennifer Johnson: Networking is a goldmine for resources.
- 5:48Jennifer Johnson: So now that we understand why it's so important and what networking actually is.
- 5:55Jennifer Johnson: What strategies can you effectively leverage to use this?
- 6:02Jennifer Johnson: So be genuine, First and foremost.
- 6:06Jennifer Johnson: So be genuine, First and foremost.
- 6:08Jennifer Johnson: Approach networking like you would any other thing that you're doing in your business, with authenticity.
- 6:12Jennifer Johnson: You don't want to focus on what can this network do for me, but what can I do for that network?
- 6:19Jennifer Johnson: Focus on building real relationships, not just collecting business cards or contacts, or business cards or people.
- 6:29Jennifer Johnson: Really Don't just be a people collector Give before you take.
- 6:34Jennifer Johnson: Look for ways that you can help others in your network Because, as we know, that goodwill often comes back around and a big mistake that people typically make is you go to a networking event and then, after you meet somebody, you throw away their business card, you forget who they were or how you met them.
- 6:58Jennifer Johnson: The power and the magic is in that follow-up Follow-up with a personalized message hey, it was great to meet you at this event, Wondered if we could grab coffee sometime?
- 7:09Jennifer Johnson: Very important Then using social media wisely.
- 7:13Jennifer Johnson: For example, LinkedIn.
- 7:15Jennifer Johnson: It can be really powerful, but powerful when it's used strategically and it's really about you engaging with other people on that platform, not just spamming people with.
- 7:27Jennifer Johnson: This is what I can do for you kind of thing practicing your pitch.
- 7:32Jennifer Johnson: Make sure that you have a clear and concise way to engage people when you're talking to them for the first time, to tell them exactly who you are and what you do.
- 7:44Jennifer Johnson: We often refer to it as an elevator pitch, because that's really what it is, but make sure that you have something in your back pocket that you can quickly bring out.
- 7:52Jennifer Johnson: And in your proverbial back pocket Don't have something in your back pocket?
- 7:58Jennifer Johnson: Have it memorized is what I'm trying to say, but make sure that it's very clear and concise.
- 8:04Jennifer Johnson: And again, I know we've talked about before being consistent.
- 8:08Jennifer Johnson: Networking isn't a one time thing.
- 8:09Jennifer Johnson: You have to continue doing it over and over and over.
- 8:13Jennifer Johnson: And the last thought I'm going to leave with you on this is listen more than you talk.
- 8:17Jennifer Johnson: God gave us two ears and a mouth for a reason.
- 8:19Jennifer Johnson: Show genuine interest in others, Ask questions and listen actively.
- 8:26Jennifer Johnson: If you want to build those connections, you have to be able to listen, Look them in their eye, put out all of the other distractions and pay attention.
- 8:38Jennifer Johnson: I know for a lot of people, networking can feel uncomfortable.
- 8:41Jennifer Johnson: You go to a room filled with people that you have no idea who they are.
- 8:45Jennifer Johnson: You've never met them before.
- 8:46Jennifer Johnson: Maybe you're an introvert or maybe you're new to the area and you know no one.
- 8:51Jennifer Johnson: But that's the point of it.
- 8:52Jennifer Johnson: You need to start small.
- 8:54Jennifer Johnson: Start with small events.
- 8:56Jennifer Johnson: Maybe it's just one-on-one meeting, one-on-one meetings with people before you start to tackle the large events.
- 9:02Jennifer Johnson: Then, when you go to a networking event, have a goal.
- 9:06Jennifer Johnson: What objective do you want from that?
- 9:09Jennifer Johnson: Do you want to meet one person, two people?
- 9:11Jennifer Johnson: Who do you want to go away with knowing?
- 9:14Jennifer Johnson: Like I want to make sure that I connect with at least three people.
- 9:18Jennifer Johnson: Having a goal will definitely help you walking into those meetings, Even though you may be scared again.
- 9:23Jennifer Johnson: Having that goal and setting your sight on that goal may be something that will help Bring a colleague.
- 9:29Jennifer Johnson: Having that familiar face with you may ease that fear for you that it will take for you to break out of your shell.
- 9:35Jennifer Johnson: But I've also seen it work the other way.
- 9:37Jennifer Johnson: You cling to that person that you bring with you and then you don't go out and meet other people.
- 9:42Jennifer Johnson: So make sure that they are going to be a help for you instead of a hindrance.
- 9:47Jennifer Johnson: And then practice.
- 9:48Jennifer Johnson: Like any skill, networking gets easier with practice.
- 9:52Jennifer Johnson: The more you do it, the more comfortable you are going to become.
- 9:55Jennifer Johnson: So again, networking isn't just about what you can gain, but also what you can contribute to the other person.
- 10:04Jennifer Johnson: The most successful networkers are those who approach relationships with the spirit of generosity and mutual benefit.
- 10:10Jennifer Johnson: Every person you meet knows something that you don't.
- 10:14Jennifer Johnson: By building and nurturing that strong professional network, you're not just advancing your own career or business.
- 10:23Jennifer Johnson: You're creating a community of support, knowledge and opportunity.