A new year — and The PPAI Expo coming up next week — brings abundant opportunities to meet new people and build relationships that grow in the year ahead. If you don’t love the idea of “networking,” remember that it doesn’t have to involve uncomfortable small talk or amassing business cards. Instead, it’s about being intentional and open to connection.
A post on the Indeed blog says that no matter where you are in your career, knowing how to network is a valuable skill. Could your networking skills use quick refresh? Read on. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we highlight some tips from the Indeed editorial team.
- Join a networking group. Some groups meet weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, and they may meet online or in person. Whatever the frequency and format, the post says these groups make it easy to meet other professionals in a relationship-building environment.
- Use social media. The post points out that many platforms provide tools that help you network with other promo pros. Plus, by joining various social media platforms, you can more easily ask for references and provide them for others.
- Grow a database of professional contacts. According to the Indeed post, it should include names, emails and phone numbers of people you have met in a professional setting. These people could be former co-workers, members of networking groups or connections you made at industry events.
- Join industry groups. Joining a regional association makes it easy to connect with local colleagues and grassroots leaders in your area. The post says members of such groups often share common interests and responsibilities.
- Attend conventions and conferences. The PPAI Expo is the industry’s largest and longest-running trade show, so get excited to meet and mingle with thousands of your promo peers.
- Offer assistance. When establishing and maintaining networking connections, the Indeed team recommends offering assistance to build stronger relationships. You could, for example, give professional advice, serve as a reference, facilitate a professional introduction or help with a project.
Strong connections don’t just happen. Join industry groups and participate in events like The Expo. And always offer help when you can, whether it’s sharing a useful resource or connecting two people who should know each other. When you lead with generosity instead of an agenda, connections often form faster and last longer.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: The Indeed editorial team, which includes writers, researchers and subject matter experts.
