Building rapport when networking

Handshake

Attending networking events can be a great way to boost your profile and build rapport...but only if you know what you're doing.

When we think of public relations what generally springs to mind is publicity or gaining media coverage in the press or on television.

But if we think of public relations in terms of “relationships” with our “public”, then there are many other activities where we can promote our product or service, even ourselves perhaps.

People enjoy doing business with people they like and trust so it is vital to build strong rapport and relationships with those we hope to do business with. One effective method of meeting people and doing personal PR is networking.

The most important point about attending networking functions is that you’re there to meet people and make effective contacts. You won’t do that if you spend your time flitting around the room from person to person or spending all your time with people you know.

You’re better off meeting three people and having a good quality conversation than trying to get around to thirty people. Go for quality contacts rather than quantity. A good idea is to set an objective before you head off to an event. Perhaps it is just to meet and make contact with three people, maybe meet the guest speaker who you’ve admired for a while or perhaps talk to that elusive contact you’ve been playing phone tag with.

Wait until the end of the conversation to exchange business cards and ask the other person for theirs first. You don’t want to make a sales pitch at a networking function and thrust your business card at them like you’re handing out flyers in the main street of town. It can be off-putting to other people if you come across as too pushy or needy – after all you are there to build good relationships.

A networking function can be great PR for you and your business if you remember it’s also about the other person. Try and make the other person feel comfortable and enjoy your company by having a quality conversation. And that often means we need to listen twice as much as we talk. Most people will think you’re a brilliant conversationalist if you let them do most of the talking.

You’ll have a lot more fun and enjoy networking if you remember to take an interest in other people, share a quality conversation before you excuse yourself politely and move on to establish another relationship with a member of the public. Happy PR-ing.

Sue Currie is a business educator and speaker on personal branding through image and media. Sue’s strategies help boost your public profile and increase profits by enhancing your professional image and building brand visibility.

6 comments | Add your own

Perfect timing! I just popped into my email before heading off to a networking event. Three people here I come! Ian Knowles from Perth Australia
i just had to say that you are 100% right about the quality contacts rather than quantity, nice work Simon from Melbourne Aust
Hi Sue, love your advice about the business card exchange - we all know that we should put the other person first, but how easily we forget in our excitement ! Grant Hyman from Berowra NSW | Read my articles
I've just joined a networking group and it has a great idea I'd like to share. If you want to know more about the person you have just met at the session, why not invite them to a coffee meeting at a convenient cafe. In a dedicated half to three quarters of an hour you can learn a lot about each other. The coffee is usually good too. Barb Clews from Leschenault, Australia | Read my articles
I have joined a networking group at university to increase my business skills (I am an Arts student). I can now confidently hold conversations about business and my new friends are helping me with my business planning and networking! Chloe McCardel from Toorak, Australia
Right indeed Sue,its best getting to know the person first instead of trying to make sure she/he gets your whole profile in the first 15mins of your conversation Joseph R Senk from kampala/Uganda

6 comments | Add your own

Add Your comments

Preview comment

Name

Website *

Town / city and country

Email (never sold, displayed or given away)

* This will link your name to your site. So please avoid self promotion elsewhere! We delete spam, disrespectful or off-topic comments.