{"id":71,"date":"2018-01-12T02:55:44","date_gmt":"2018-01-12T02:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rainmakers.co\/blog\/?p=71"},"modified":"2022-12-06T19:41:03","modified_gmt":"2022-12-06T19:41:03","slug":"sales-networking-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rainmakers.co\/blog\/sales-networking-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Networking for Salespeople: 11 Steps For Achieving Personal & Professional Growth"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For a good reason, networking for sales professionals has long been considered sage advice. This best practice can open up many doors for you, whether in friendships, mentorships, new career opportunities, and even earning referral sales opportunities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But What Exactly Is Networking? (And How Should You Go About It?)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To network is to cultivate people around you who can help you professionally. This may come naturally to some, but for most, and especially for those who are more introverted, the task can seem much more daunting than it is appealing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Becoming proficient at networking is synonymous with mastering the art of making friends. At the end of the day, we\u2019re all human beings and, as such, tend to want to help one another. This is a more accurate sentiment when those who need help are befriended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this is much easier said than done. To walk into a room full of strangers, confidently present yourself and quickly find relatable topics of conversation to build relationships is no easy task. After all, it\u2019s not like we\u2019re mind readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few tips you can lean on to help make the whole process of transitioning from strangers to friends a more welcoming ordeal.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Step 1: Prepare A Personal Pitch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first thing you\u2019ll want to do to get ready for a networking event is to prepare a personal pitch. Your personal pitch is a short but exemplary description of who you are and what you do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, the question you\u2019ll probably have to answer the most at any networking event is, \u201cWho are you? And what do you do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having a quick answer to these questions that is easy to comprehend is key to helping keep your interactions smooth. <\/strong>Stumbling through trying to explain who you are can come off as unconfident and leave a wrong initial impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of your pitch will be driven by your event goal, which is a perfect segue to our next piece of advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Have A Goal In Mind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Networking, like many other life endeavors, can prove ineffective without a clear objective in mind. When approaching a networking event, try and think to yourself what it is you\u2019d like to get out of it. Are you trying to find a mentor? Are you looking for prospects to drive future sales? Or are you simply trying to meet more people in a particular field? Having a specific goal in mind will help frame your interactions and conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let your goal be your mission, let that mission drive you, and let that be clear. <\/strong>Then, just as you understand who the people you meet are and what they\u2019re doing, they\u2019ll also begin to know what you\u2019re looking to accomplish. Even if the person you\u2019re talking to at that moment isn\u2019t directly relevant to your goal, they may have just met someone or know someone in their network that can help you get to where you want to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Step 3: Have A Few Ice-breakers Prepared Ahead Of Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even the most socially adept people in the world are bound to have a few harmful interactions. Simply put, it\u2019s impossible to be on top of your game 100% of the time. Maybe you\u2019re drained from a long day at work, or perhaps something is pressing that suddenly pops into your mind at the wrong moment. Whatever the case, it\u2019s very easy for us to become mentally distracted; for some, it only makes finding a conversation starter that much more difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As such, to avoid that mental stress and save your energy for keeping engaged with the ongoing conversations, it\u2019s a good idea to have some ice-breakers saved in your back pocket. That way, you can fall back on them without much thinking and get people talking quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rules of topics to avoid in the workplace also apply here. For example, you don\u2019t want to argue with someone you’ve just met with if you\u2019re trying to win their favor. That means you generally want to avoid talking about politics, religion, personal gossip, death, or the myriad of other topics that may be controversial.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your mind is running blank, here are a few suggestions to get you started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n