The Importance of networking and how to make the best first impression

Networking is an essential skill for most people, but especially for entrepreneurs and start-ups. Networking is about building connections and mutually beneficial relationships which will help an individual or organization maintain success. We are constantly drowned with advertising, emails and sales pitches, by building personal relationships face to face you are able to rise above the noise and be someone who is remembered and not forgotten.

The Hand Shake

A handshake can reveal a lot about your character. Along with maintaining eye contact and body language, a handshake can say a lot about you and how you do business. Wobbly and gentle handshakes can give of a nervous and anxious personality. A firm, solid handshake is the best to go with in business situations as it implies friendliness, ease in social situation and authority which is a great way to start your first impression.

Introducing yourself

When someone asks what you do or who you are, don’t give them a long boring description of every detail. There only going to remember a few things about you so only give them the important info.

• Name
• Company
• Industry
• Product
• Location

You want to reinforce these key things in conversations but unnoticeably. For example, are there any interesting stories behind how your company got its name or how you stumbled into the industry? Have it ready to use but make sure it unobtrusively links back to the key details about you. By reinforcing your business information it helps it to be memorable, but do not make it boring, the more exciting, interesting and exaggerated the better.

Being Memorable

This is the no.1 rule to building relationships, it’s easy to hand out business cards to everyone you meet but if people don’t remember you, it’s likely your personal business card will end up in the bin. You need to be fully engaged into all conversations you have, maintain eye contact, respond promptly and listen to what they are saying. You also need to take a genuine interest in other people, by asking questions and having a stimulating conversation, the chance of you being remembered far greater.

 Contributing to group conversation

If you stood in a large group having a group conversation, don’t hog the attention. By saying one really smart thing or really engaging point in front of a large group will make you much more memorable than half an hour of unconscious drivel. If you talk nonsense, the image of your business will be ruined. Remember that you are your business and the impression you make is the impression of your business. Make it good and make it memorable.

Business Cards

Once you have made your impression, you have to reinforce it with little reminders. However, networking is like real world marketing. People aren’t going to remember every person they have met so you are competing for a place in there memory just like you would with your customers. You need to market yourself like you would your product or service and your business card is a great way to do this.

Your business card is the second thing which represents your business after yourself. So you need to see your business card as an extension of you and your business and the design should reflect that. Every aspect of the card will influence their views from the feel and material of the card down to the logo and readability, the detail matters.

Do you have a business card that doesn’t impress? Perhaps you should invest a little time and money to creating one that represents your company in the best possible way. Many websites offer free design services if you order from their site, this would be worth looking into as it can cost very little but generate great improvements in your networking. There are many options out there to make your business card unique and one of a kind.

Your first impression is irreversible and people can make this impression within 10 seconds of meeting you. By being professional, dressing smart and engaging in conversation people will be more willing to do business with you. Relationships are the catalyst for sustaining success and people only do business with those they like and trust. By continually connecting with new people you enhance the chances of long term success.