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Networking is one of the most important skills you can have in today’s age. “It’s all about who you know” – that statement isn’t 100% accurate but knowing the right people is very important. Networking is an important skill that will help you in every area of your life. It can help you find a job, start a business and it’s always good to build long-term, trusted friends.

Networking Tips:

- Set clear business and career goals for yourself. If you don’t know exactly what you want to do start with the things you enjoy doing and put your focus on thinking about how you want to live your day-to-day life.

- Be able to share your business goals in 30 seconds. Your ‘elevator pitch’ should be well polished and clear so when people ask “what’s up” your prepared with an answer that will help you reach your goals.

- Educate yourself in the areas you want to excel in. Know enough to hold a good conversation.

- Look for ways you can help others accomplish their goals while you accomplish yours. Always be looking for ways to mutually benefit each other instead of just asking “how can they help me”.

- Share your business or career goals with your close friends and family. Look for ways you can help each other and ask them to introduce you to people that may align well with your goals.

- Hang out at the locations where the people you need to know gather. Charity functions, higher end gyms and Chamber of Commerce meetings may be places that successful people frequent.

- Take your networking virtual by searching out who the major players are in the business you want to get into. Look for trade organizations, blogs and other businesses in the similar area.

- Research your competition and pay close attention to who they are partnered with.

- Join Facebook and LinkedIn. Join groups and connect with people that you think will help you reach your personal goals. Write a personal note to the head of all the major groups and in a sentence or two let them know what you’re about and what you are looking to accomplish. Then offer your services “I think what your doing is great so let me know if I can help out in any way”.

- Continue to add people to your network and keep in touch from time-to-time by sending them relevant news or other information they may find interesting. Follow a simple rule of giving more than you ask for.
 

Filed under: Money XLive • College Prep • Money XLive