professional networking presentation

The Complete Guide To Giving A Networking Presentation

Ah yes. The classic business networking presentation.  If you are in the business sphere at all, at some time or another you will have the floor to give a presentation. If you incorporate business networking in your marketing, then, you’ll likely have an opportunity to do a business networking presentation.

But what exactly IS that?

A networking presentation isn’t a sale pitch, or a TEDtalk (although those rock). It is a special blend of who you are, why you do what you do, and what people need to know in order to send you quality business.

While it’s pretty standard to have this kind of opportunity if you are part of a networking group, it can be a challenge to make the most of this time. Even if you are veteran networking beast and have done these types of presentations before – you will find that the networking game have changed immensely in the last few years. So how to do give a networking presentation that benefits both you and your fellow networkers?

After years of networking, building my own businesses , and leading  networking groups  I have seen it all – the good, the bad, the ugly.

I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve cringed.

I’ve been bored, felt insulted, been inspired. I’ve done presentations and witnessed countless more. 5 minutes long, 10 minutes, 15, 20… big business, small businesses, it doesn’t really matter – there are some ket things that set about a decent networking presentation from one that smashes it out of the park. And that’s really what we are all going for – to take our businesses to the next level. We’re all on the same team, we all have the same goals.

So are you ready to dive in? Grab a cup of coffee and a notepad (or tablet, or voice memo, or however you record your muse) and let’s unpack how to give the ultimate networking presentation!

First things first, we have to lay some ground rules when it comes to networking presentations. The most important thing you need to get straight is your perspective- where you are coming from, how you are approaching your presentation.

Traditionally, a business prevention is coming from a sales perspective  – selling an item, service, or even an idea.

A networking presentation, however, breaks out of that  mold and focuses on the opposite. The goal is not to sell a service or product or even an idea.

Your goal is to sell YOU.

If you go in with a traditional sales mindset, then you are already setting yourself up for failure. Why?

The people listening to your networking presentation are not your customers!

In a business networking group, your goal is to build trusting relationships that lead to referrals  and strategic partnerships. It’s not about selling… at least, not directly. Sales are the fruit  of time spent sowing and cultivating relationships . That perspective is what lead to productive networking , a solid 30/60/90 second  marketing message , and is the key to a successful networking presentation as well.

Now that we have our focus right, we can get into the nitty gritty of planning out a presentation!

Step 1: Determine your goals.

Your networking presentation should have two goals:

• to tell who you are
• to tell how we (the people in the room) can send you business.

Sound simple, right? Don’t scroll to the end of this blog so fast, because it’s actually harder than it seems to share these two things well.

If you only share who you are, then all you succeeded in doing was talking about yourself for ten minutes straight. If you only talk about how we can help you, then we don’t have anything to base our trust on.

Why should we trust you? Why should we go out of our way to do the things you are asking us to do? Why should we refer someone to you instead of someone else in the same industry?

People have to know who you are.

To get started with your planning, ask yourself:

Who am I? How can the people in this room best send me business?

Then actually answer those questions.

Got it written down? For real? Ok, fine, it can be digitally recored, if you are anti-paper. But are you clear on those two things? Now we are ready for the next step!

Step 2: The Beginning (of your presentation)

People remember the beginning and the end of your presentation, and that’s about it.

It’s not that they weren’t listening, didn’t find it interesting, or just don’t care… it’s just how people are. So don’t take it personally. What you should do is give some TLC to the beginning of your presentation.  Don’t discredit the first few minutes of your presentation. You only have a few minutes to make an impact, so plan it out!

Plan to start with a bang. Tell a story, ask a proactive question, share a compelling quote.

Pay close attention to how you phrase questions, too. Think “trivia question” format. Instead of “how many of you are ready to retirement?” or “how many of you know someone who is near retirement age?” ask “who do you think the average retirement age is?”

Another key component of a great opening is to tell us what you are going to tell us about.

Get us ready. Get our brains focused. “Think about a time…” We live in an age of pings and tweets and stories to do lists… assume that your audience is distracted, and act accordingly to bring their attention back to you.

Step 3: The Middle (of your presentation)

Now is the time to dive in and start sharing the important information that helps us trust you and want to refer you business. Don’t waste time sharing things that don’t contribute to that goal. Good questions to ask are:

How long have you been in business? What is your experience? How long have you been in your city? Why do you do what you do, what is your passion?

While it’s ok to share person info – like pets, favorite sports teams, hobbies – but be careful not to take up too much time with those things. Pick one unique thing about you and stick to that.

Now for this next one, I need you to hang with me. Put down the coffee for just a sec, because I am about to tell you to

Ditch the slides.

I know I am getting crazy, but hear me out:

If your goal is not to sell a product, service, or idea, but to instead to sell yourself… what better way to do that than to just share you? The real, live, in the flesh, talking and breathing you?

Slides may be pretty, but that is the danger. People end up focusing on what is on the screen and not on YOU.

So what’s a person to do? Slides ARE professional, no doubt about that, and it’s great to have supporting information for what you are verbally speaking.

Instead of a full set of slides, I recommend opting for one or two slides, a simple handout, or other physical object.

Canva is the end all, be all to creating your own visual content, slides included. If you haven’t check out this free tool, you totally should… just be prepared to just sucked in to creating content for social media, your website, and more. They even have tutorials to help you get started.

But I digress. Canva rocks, and slides rock, but don’t let them take over you… because YOU are your own best salesperson.

Step 4: The Ending – what it all comes down to

Cue dramatic cinematic music. The crowd is hushed. You have commanded their attention for 80% of your presentation. The world is yours.

No pressure. Don’t blow it!

But really. Remember when said that people only really remember the beginning and the end of your presentation?  If you give an engaging presentation, but fail to end with a bang, all of your time and planning was in vain. And no one want’s that.  Pay special attention to the last 1-2 minutes of your presentation in a way that leads to cheers and applause.

Here are 2 things that I think are invaluable to ending your presentation strong:

Leave time for questions.

For most presentations you will have a set amount of time. Out of respect for the group and your fellow networkers, make sure you stick to your allotted time. Part of that means building in time for questions. If you have the floor for ten minutes, then you need to present for 8 and then have 2 minutes of questions.  Interactive back and forth conversations is more impactful than one way conversations, so leaving time for questions is worth it!

Remember that questions don’t have to be saved to the end; you can give time throughout your presentation for people to ask, if you would like. Just set the expectations clearly at the beginning. Either say “there will be time for questions at the end,” or “please feel free to ask questions as we go.” The more clarity you give us (the listeners!) the more impactful your presentation will be.

REALLY know what you need! Have a call to action.

And don’t say “I need referrals!” We ALL need more referrals.

Instead, tell people how they can help you specifically:

• TODAY. Immediately.

This goes back to the beginning, when we really had to get clear on who you are and how other business owners can help you.

If you want to use a flier or handout, make one specifically for your business networking connections, not one that you already have pre-made for your customers. Canva is another great place to make a tool like this, or, just have a simple word document with your logo on it.

Some great things to include would be who you are, your business, your contact information, where they can find you online in social media, what you ideal client is, and who your strategic partnerships are.

Things that do NOT count as a productive call to action: passing around a pile of your business cards, collecting everyone else business cards, having an email sign up sheet. 

To wrap things up, networking presentations can have a huge impact on your business – it just takes some planning and practice. Invest the time to laying a solid foundation, then work through planning out each section of your presentation.

The result will be an impactful, engaging presentation that benefits not only your business, but your networking group as well.

Networking is meant to be awkward, confusing, and so much fun. What I have found is that by working together we can all ultimately grow; so give us a share if you liked this blog (and we sure hope you did) give it a share! Facebook , Twitter, Instagram, good old fashioned email… however you want to spread the love. Snooze-free presentations for everyone!

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9 Networking Tips to Expand and Strengthen Your Network

Building a strong professional network can be invaluable for your career. Consider these nine tips to strengthen your network.

The relationships you build through professional networking can be an essential piece of your career development. Most prominently, your network can be your work-related support system. You can go to these people when you want to discuss industry trends and news. Your network can also be valuable when considering career advancement , from recommendations for skills you should sharpen to securing an actual position.

We all have different preferences when it comes to the way we build and nurture relationships. Here are nine networking tips to help you create a network that will work for you:

1. Know your goals.

The first stage of building your network is figuring out the makeup of the network you want to develop. Consider the outcomes that will be most exciting for you. From there, focus your networking efforts on activities, groups, and people that are most likely to bring you closer to your goals.

It can help to shape your network around your long-term career goals . For example, if your career goal is to secure a promotion, you may want a network of organizations that arrange development opportunities for people in your industry and individuals in a position to recommend you for an open role within their company.

Learn more: What Are Your Career Goals? Tips for Setting Your Goals

2. Acknowledge your value.

Unlike mentorship , your network is a reciprocal relationship. This means in addition to benefiting from your network, there’s an expectation that your network will benefit from you in return. Knowing your value can be a helpful confidence booster when building new relationships.

As you think about the type of network you want to build, consider the access, insights, and skills that you feel comfortable offering to members of your network. Additionally, consider which offers may entice the type of people you hope to bring into your network. For example, perhaps you can lend your social media skills to the organization you wish to join when they promote their next networking event.

3. Identify thought leaders.

As you conceive of the network you want to build, make a list of the people you consider to be thought leaders in your field. Include anyone in your industry whom you admire—influencers who provide strong industry analysis, business leaders with career paths you’d like to follow, or individuals currently working in roles you aspire to.

While you may not reach out to the people on this list directly, take note of each person's organizations, communities, and affiliations. These may be helpful starting points as you prepare to connect with new and existing contacts.

4. Consider who you already know.

You may already know people who can be valuable additions to your network. Viable candidates for your network can include people you went to school with, have worked with, or have met socially who work in the same industry as you (or the industry you aspire to work in).

All you need to do to transition those relationships to professional ones is strike up a conversation about your shared professional interests. If the other person seems receptive, great news: you’ve just established a professional contact.

Reaching out to an acquaintance

If you aren’t sure how to reignite a relationship, try something casual and straightforward, like, “Hi Lucy! Hope you’ve been well. It’s been a minute! Are you still pursuing your cybersecurity certification? I just transitioned into a new role at CyberSecure Industries and would love to catch up. Any interest in grabbing coffee sometime in the next couple of weeks?”

5. Hone your outreach list.

In addition to the people you already know, think about who you want to know and can reasonably get to know. These would typically be people you have a loose connection with already: colleagues you haven’t interacted with much, people you’ve seen at various industry events, or second-degree contacts (meaning friends of friends).

To help you stay organized, list out these potential contacts and include ideas on how you might be able to get in touch with them, whether that’s through direct outreach or by asking a mutual connection to send a letter of introduction .

6. Identify relevant spaces.

The possibilities for growing your network exist far beyond the people you already know and know of. Many people meet new contacts through professional groups, which may come together for social hours, panels, webinars, or other events aimed at career development.

As you identify the groups you may want to join, consider the types of spaces you feel most comfortable socializing in. You can likely find active online communities or in-person organizations dedicated to connecting and advancing your industry through an online search or by asking friends and colleagues about groups they engage with. This is also a great time to revisit the list of affiliations you noted when you compiled your list of thought leaders.

Once you identify the groups you want to join, search their websites and social media profiles for new member information or open events. Many organizations are volunteer-run, so you may be able to accelerate networking possibilities by volunteering for an event or committee.

7. Practice your pitch.

Practicing how you’ll introduce yourself is one way to ease nerves as you prepare to enter new professional environments and meet new people. (Reinforcing to yourself all you have to offer and what you stand to gain is another.)

Your delivery may change depending on the person you’re reaching out to and your outreach method—via email, social media, or in person—but the information you share will be pretty consistent. When you meet someone new, be prepared to discuss the following:

Who you are and what you do

What you want to learn more about

What you can offer in exchange

How you’d like to move forward

Saying hi is the starting point for many relationships—which can require some vulnerability. However, fueled by the knowledge of what you want and are prepared to offer, you’re ready to start reaching out and building connections.

Your relationships will grow over time, but your initial outreach can help set the tone for the type of relationship you hope to build. Networking relationships typically fall somewhere between casual friendships and formal work relationships (like the one you might have with your boss or your company’s CEO, for example). That can be a vast spectrum, and you can use your own comfort levels and judgment to gauge the balance that feels most natural for you.

Casual outreach can be walking up to a stranger at a networking event and simply introducing yourself: “Hi, I’m Jean. This is my first time at an Emerging Marketing Professionals event. Have you been to any of their panels?”

Formal outreach might be sending a Slack message to a coworker you’d like to get to know: “Hi Rohit! I’m on the social media team and really enjoyed your presentation on the new app design for the upcoming product launch. I’d love to learn more about your UX design process. We can also discuss how our social media team can help highlight key app features upon launch. Any chance you have time for a 25-minute meeting over the next few weeks?”

9. Remain engaged.

You don’t have to become best friends with every person in your network, but to maintain networking relationships, it’s important to invest in them. Some things you can do to stay in touch with your contacts include:

Exchanging business cards

Following up after you meet someone new

Suggesting a time to catch up

Inviting someone to a networking event you’re planning to attend

Offering introductions between two people in your network

Making yourself available when someone asks to connect with you

Career paths can feel unpredictable at times, and you can’t fully know what type of support you may want or need from your network in the future. Staying engaged with your network and remaining open to new possibilities can set you up with a professional support system that you can call upon during any time of need.

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Networking with PowerPoint: Use Your Presentation to Build Your Network

LinkedIn, Xing, your personal blog – all are great tools for increasing your visibility in the business community. But what about networking with PowerPoint presentations? A presentation doesn’t have to end with the last slide. Engaging with your audience is the key to creating networking opportunities once your PowerPoint presentation is finished.

 Networking: What is it and how do you make new business contacts?

Networking is the process of building and maintaining a system of contacts. Each member of the network brings their own contacts, leading the network to continue growing.

A network brings a lot of advantages. Professional support and shared knowledge are not the only benefits; a network also brings career-building advantages. Network contacts often make a job search a much simpler process and can even help kick-start a career.

We’ve put together four effective networking tips to help you start networking with PowerPoint:

1. Set goals

Decide what you hope to gain from your contacts and what you hope to achieve through networking.

2. Quality over quantity

A good network is only as valuable as its members. Don’t keep adding new members for the sake of statistics – only add new members that are pursuing similar goals.

3. Give and take

The best way to get a network started is to find contacts with the same goals and professional interests. Exchange ideas with other members without expecting anything in return. Sooner or later, you too will gain valuable tips and information.

4. Keep at it

Cultivate your contacts and strengthen the connections you make. You can do this both online and in person. To learn how to become an ace at networking, take a look at this article .

Networking with PowerPoint: How to use presentations to make business contacts

No matter what the topic, presentations are all about sharing information with your audience in the most descriptive and interesting way possible. Successful PowerPoint presentations exude competence and inspire confidence. These same qualities are the backbone of effective networking, which is why building contacts after a presentation is a natural next step.

PowerPoint presentations: Connect with genuine prospects

Presentations are an ideal platform to share your information and messages with others.

We’re all inundated with information, 24/7. And that can be overwhelming, to say the least. While email newsletters or Instagram posts are often deleted or ignored completely, an audience makes a conscious decision to listen to a presentation.   Those who attend your presentation are genuinely interested in learning more about your topic. What’s more, your audience trusts that you’re competent in your field. Take advantage of this opportunity and win over new business contacts, customers and followers.

6 tips for effective networking and building business contacts with presentations

1. Be yourself

Even though you may think you’re playing your role perfectly, most people know if someone is pretending to be someone they aren’t. Stay true to yourself during your presentation. This is a surefire way of gaining your audience’s confidence and at the same time, laying the foundation for new business contacts.

2. Your presentation should be interesting and relevant to your audience Think about what information you want to share with your audience and how you want to deliver it. It’s important to provide them with facts and information that they’ll find interesting.

Read this article  to learn how to use rhetoric and public speaking techniques to deliver an inspiring presentation. Sharing pertinent information with your audience creates confidence and provides a solid basis for networking.

3. Use the right body language

Even the most interesting information will be less than convincing if it’s not presented in the right way. Your body language not only communicates confidence and poise, but also supports your content. Needless to say, body language plays a decisive role in successful networking too. In this article , you’ll learn what body language is all about and how you can use it to sell yourself to your audience.

4. Stir your audience’s emotions

Meaningful facts and figures are the core of any presentation. But you need to engage your audience on an emotional level, too. Rouse your audience, inspire confidence and motivate them to improve their professional and/or personal lives. When it comes to networking, you need to connect with potential business partners and customers on a more emotional level. A great way to do this is through storytelling. You’ll find some great tips on storytelling in our blog .

5. Prepare for your presentation  

Being nervous is normal. While some people seem to be made for the stage, others find it utterly nerve-wracking to speak in front of an audience. But with the right preparation, you can control your nerves and present confidently.

It’s always a good idea to rehearse your PowerPoint presentation and prepare a mental checklist. Go over your core messages, make sure your slides and equipment are in order and that you’re ready for any questions from your audience.

6. Engage your audience

Networking is all about building rapport and trust with others and a presentation is a great way to lay that foundation. Actively involving your audience in your presentation creates a connection and builds excitement. Interacting with your audience will not only increase their interest, but also creates a personal connection between you and them. Ask your audience for personal stories or give them the chance to answer technical questions.

Networking doesn’t stop – not even after your presentation!

Most presenters are happy when the presentation is over, and the stress of presenting behind them. Nevertheless, it’s still important to continue networking and exchanging ideas with the audience. We’ve put together 10 tips on how to network after your presentation.

1. Be accessible

Don’t rush out after your presentation. Instead, plan some time to talk to your audience. This gives you the opportunity to receive feedback and discuss your topic with them.

2. Set a goal  

You may have a goal for your presentation, but you need a goal for networking afterwards. For example, aim to collect at least 10 business cards or speaking to 7 people.

Being a good listener is key to establishing contacts. Your presentation was the time to put your ideas in the spotlight. Once it’s over, let your audience ask questions and listen attentively.

4. Avoid sales pitches

Making contacts is not about selling yourself. It’s more important to exchange ideas and have conversations that can be followed up on later. You’ve already presented your facts and figures; follow-up conversations shouldn’t signal a second round of your presentation.

5. Revisit comments and concerns

If anyone has asked questions or made comments during your presentation, make sure to follow up with those people. Address any concerns and try to come to an understanding before the rest of the audience has left the room.

6. Get feedback…

Seek feedback from your audience and be open to it. Getting face-to-face feedback is a great networking opportunity.

7. … with a questionnaire

If you don’t have time to talk to your audience personally, there are other ways to get their reaction to your presentation. Hand out a questionnaire or send a call-to-action email to get feedback.

8. Set a time limit

Networking can be pretty exhausting. You have to be patient; you may have to put up with criticism or uncomfortable questions. If this seems a bit daunting, it may help to set a time limit.

Allow at least 15 minutes for questions and comments. Providing your audience with additional information in a handout will allow you to moderate and steer the discussion at any time.

9. Keep in touch

If you get someone’s contact information, reach out to them. This is how you continue to share ideas and open up potential business opportunities.

10. Learn from mistakes Maybe your presentation didn’t go perfectly. Take a look at your presentation the day after and make a list of things that did and didn’t go well. Review this list before your next presentation and learn from any mistakes you may have made.

Use your presentation for effective networking!

A presentation gives you the chance to convince an interested audience of your expertise. This lays the foundation to steadily expand your network and build your professional reputation.

If you have any questions about networking or PowerPoint in general, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] . We’d be happy to help you! Looking to build your network at your next presentation? Take a look at our shop . You’ll find everything you need to make your next PowerPoint presentation a success.

Check out our blog for more helpful articles on how to master your presentation and build a strong foundation for networking. here are a few that might interest you:

• Humor in presentations
• PowerPoint Presenter View
• Body language in presentations
• Public speaking skills
• How to end a presentati

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A Beginner’s Guide to Networking

• Rakshitha Arni Ravishankar

Connecting with people doesn’t have to be transactional.

Networking doesn’t have to feel opportunistic. It can be a moment to make genuine connections. Here’s how to get started:

• Networking is not about meeting new people. It’s also a chance to connect with people you’ve known for a while but haven’t had the chance to interact with.
• Use networking as an opportunity to help others. Think about what you’re good at, what you like to do, and what others often ask you to help with.
• Instead of small talk, engage in conversations that are more intimate and help you as well as the other person become vulnerable, even if you’re meeting them for the first time.
• Know that networking is not always inclusive. But you can change that narrative by owning your identity, understanding your strengths, and becoming confident.

I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with networking. When I was in college, networking seemed transactional. I disliked the idea of building relationships for my own personal gain and small talk with strangers triggered my social anxiety . As I’ve grown in my career, however, I’ve learned that networking doesn’t have to be opportunistic.

• RR Rakshitha Arni Ravishankar is an associate editor at Ascend.

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Networking 101: Building professional relationships by Ray Kim.

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Professional Networking

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Professional Networking. Michael Wirthlin Brigham Young University, CHREC Provo, Utah, USA. What is “ Networking ” ?. Professional Networking.

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Professional Networking Michael Wirthlin Brigham Young University, CHREC Provo, Utah, USA

What is “Networking”?

Professional Networking Networking is establishing and maintaining informal relationships with people whose acquaintance or friendship could bring advantages such as job or business opportunities. In its simplest form, networking is talking to people, becoming acquainted or friendly with them, and building relationships by getting to know more about them. In professional networking, people want to learn more about others and their jobs and career experiences. “Developing a Strong Professional Network”, Penn State Alumni Assoc.

What is a “Network”?

What is a “Network”? “A set of friends who are willing to help each other professionally.”

Difference between “Professional” and “Social” networking • Professional Networking • Look for and advertise jobs and career opportunities • Interact with professional contacts • Post resume and career qualifications • Share opinions and knowledge about ones expertise • Social Networking • Connect with family and friends remotely • Share opinions and information with other people • Find and build new friendships • Share common interests

Benefits of a Strong Network • Access to new job opportunities • 50%-80% of all available jobs are never advertised • Access to important information • Which class to take, which professor to take it from • Industry trends or inside news • Good advice • What is the best neighborhood to live in? • Access to potential clients • Access to employees • It can be very difficult to hire qualified technical people • Companies that can hire “better” people are more successful • Access to important/influential people

How do you build a professional network? • Maintain relationships with those you know • Keep track of the people you know • Address book, email addresses, online networking contacts • Keep some notes on the people you know (you will forget!) • Keep in touch with the people you already know • Email, facebook, instagram, Christmas cards • Send updates on changes in your profession (new job, etc.) • Develop new relationships • Go out of your way to meet new people (even if it is hard) • Participate in the “social” aspect of technical workshops • Follow-up with those you meet • Quick, simple email (thank you, it was nice to meet you, etc.)

How do you build a professional network? • Participate in Web/Online activities • Open source projects • Contribute articles • Provide well-written, thoughtful comments and responses • Participate • Volunteer in community activities • Talks • Accept invitations to talk about your expertise • Volunteer Work • Volunteer to help in outreach activities (Chip Camp!) • Participate in community, non-professional activities

Who should you include in your network? • People you meet in school • Your classmates, Faculty/Staff • Visiting speakers, research collaborators • Roommates • People you meet at work • Boss, management, colleagues, salespeople, competitors • Workshop attendees, speakers/presenters, experts • Church members • Mission companions, home teachers, home teachees, ward members • BYU Alumni • Neighbors and friends outside of your professional activities

Reciprocity in Professional Relationships • Professional Relationships should be reciprocal • You provide something of value to your relationship • You gain something of value in your relationship • One way professional relationships do not last • You consistently take more than you give • Go out of your way to help those in your network • Provide recommendations, job advice • Introduce relationships to others

Networking Don’ts • Do NOT burn bridges • Avoid bad relationships at all costs • The professional world is much smaller than you think • Use tact and diplomacy when leaving a job or addressing difficult circumstances • Do NOT “exploit” your network • Multi-level marketing (“network” marketing)? • Do NOT be fake or insincere • Do NOT “Take” more than you “Give” • Do NOT damage your network with poor “online presence” • Inappropriate posts/images/comments`

Networking Tools • Business Cards • Easy, convenient way to share contact information physically • A bit old-school, but still very useful • Bring a stack of cards when you travel • Online networking • LinkedIn : Business-oriented social networking site • Create an account and start adding “connections” • Facebook/MySpace, social network sites • Less useful for professional networking but is used by professionals for “background checks” • Keep your social networking professional or private

Resources https://www.mne.psu.edu/PSNES/Networking.pdf http://lifehacker.com/how-to-skip-the-sleaze-and-build-a-real-professional-ne-510256651 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-b-fishbein/how-to-build-an-awesome-p_b_3762889.html

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16 Tips for Building a Professional Network From Scratch

Posted: May 22, 2024 | Last updated: May 22, 2024

Most people have wondered how to build a professional network at some point in their professional journeys. During this period, most of us are usually unsure where to begin and how to navigate the terrain ahead.

In this guide, we illuminate the journey ahead by providing you with 16 expert tips on confidently navigating the maze of professional networking.

1. Attend Networking Events

Networking events are gatherings where people from your field meet, connect, and exchange ideas. You can find these events through online platforms and professional organizations.

Bring your business card when you attend these events, and don’t hesitate to initiate conversations. Also, have a brief introduction ready to share about yourself and your professional interests.

2. Join Professional Organizations and Associations

Professional organizations often have individuals who share similar interests and goals. By becoming a member, you gain access to a network of professionals who can offer support, guidance, and opportunities for collaboration.

To find relevant organizations and associations, research online or ask colleagues. Once you join, actively participate to enhance your professional visibility.

3. Utilize Social Media Platforms

Platforms like LinkedIn, X, and Facebook offer valuable opportunities to connect with professionals in your industry. Start by creating a professional profile on LinkedIn, the leading platform for business networking. Fill out your profile with the relevant information and connect with mentors and industry professionals.

Follow influencers, companies, and professionals in your field to maximize other social media platforms like X and Facebook.

4. Volunteer for Industry-Related Events

Many conferences, seminars, and workshops rely on volunteers to help with various tasks. This allows you to connect with professionals in your field.

Start by looking for upcoming industry events, then contact the event organizers. During your time as a volunteer, strike up conversations and exchange contact information to keep in touch.

5. Join Online Forums and Discussion Groups

Online forums and discussion groups provide opportunities to ask questions, share insights, and learn from others’ experiences. Look for platforms like Quora or Reddit and engage with other members.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to other members to connect more personally. This will help you gain firsthand knowledge of industry trends.

6. Offer to Mentor or Be Mentored

Mentoring allows you to share your knowledge and expertise while gaining insights and guidance from more experienced professionals. If you want to be mentored, reach out to individuals you admire in your industry. Explain your goals and ask if they would be willing to provide mentorship as you navigate your career.

On the other hand, if you’re interested in offering mentorship, look for opportunities to support and guide the less experienced.

7. Participate in Industry-Specific Webinars

Webinars offer valuable opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals and stay informed about the latest trends in your field. Most webinars are free to attend and cover various topics, from technical skills to leadership development.

Participating in webinars expands your knowledge and demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

8. Seek Informational Interviews With Professionals

Informational interviews allow you to gain insights into different career paths and expand your network of contacts. To request an interview, contact people you look up to via email or LinkedIn with a polite message asking if they would be willing to chat with you.

During the interview, be prepared with thoughtful questions about their experiences and insights. Also, be respectful of their time and be an active listener.

9. Attend Alumni Events

Alumni events bring together graduates from your alma mater. They offer a shared connection that can pave the way for meaningful connections and opportunities.

Monitor your alma mater’s website and social media pages to find alumni events. They often host a variety of events, from networking mixers to workshops.

10. Contribute Guest Posts on Websites

Guest posting allows you to share your knowledge and perspectives with a broader audience while establishing yourself as a credible authority in your field.

To get started, identify websites and blogs that cater to your target audience and are relevant to your industry or niche. Research their guest posting guidelines and submission process. Afterward, pitch them your ideas for potential topics or articles.

11. Attend Trade Shows and Exhibitions

Trade shows bring together businesses and experts in a specific field, providing ample opportunities for learning and networking.

When researching the trade shows and exhibitions to attend, identify key exhibitors, speakers, and sessions you want to explore. Take notes, ask questions, and participate actively to demonstrate your engagement and interest.

12. Join Online Courses and Training Programs

Online courses offer a flexible way to connect with peers and expand your network globally. Research online courses and training programs that align with your career goals and interests.

Once enrolled in a course, take advantage of opportunities to interact with instructors and other students.

13. Join Industry-Related Groups and Channels

Groups and channels like Slack and Discord allow you to learn from others and connect with like-minded professionals. Look for groups that cater to your specific industry, niche, or interests, and join those that align with your career goals.

Exchange contact information and connect with other members on social media platforms to continue the conversation outside the group or channel.

14. Follow Up With New Contacts

After meeting someone at an event, networking platform, or online platform, it’s essential to nurture the connection by sending a personalized follow-up message.

Start by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to meet and connect. Then, reference a specific point from your conversation to show that you were actively engaged and interested in what they had to say.

Also, include a call to action in your follow-up message. This can be scheduling a meeting, connecting on LinkedIn, or subscribing to each other’s social media channels.

15. Be Proactive

Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to you, take the initiative and actively seek ways to connect with others and contribute to your industry. Set clear goals or what you want to achieve.

This can be expanding your contacts, exploring new career opportunities, or finding mentors. Having specific objectives will guide your actions and keep you focused.

16. Keep Up With Latest Trends

By staying abreast of industry trends, you’ll be better equipped to engage in meaningful conversations and establish yourself as a trusted resource in your network. You’ll also be better positioned to identify opportunities for growth and collaboration that can propel your career forward.

Read industry-related content from articles, blogs, podcasts, and reports to keep up with the latest trends.

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How To Find Networking Events Worth Going To

Madeleine Burry writes about careers and job searching for The Balance. She covers topics around career changes, job searching, and returning from maternity leave, and has been writing for The Balance since 2014.

Caiaimage/Martin Barraud/Getty Images

The reason to grow your network is clear: the bigger your network , the more likely you are to know someone who can offer career help, whether by making an introduction, serving as a reference, or more. The easy way to build up your network is with current and former colleagues. But once those relationships are in place, and you’re connected on LinkedIn, how else can you expand your network?

One option is attending  networking events . They're designed to help people form connections. The trick is, first you have to find the right events. Get tips on how to find networking events, as well as how to make the most of them.

5 Ways to Find Networking Events

1. talk to friends and colleagues.

Never underestimate the power of word of mouth! Colleagues will often know industry-focused networking events. Friends who do not work in your industry can share how they find events. (And, even attending out-of-industry events can lead to meeting interesting people.)

Ask co-workers and friends about any professional events they’re planning to attend or ones they've enjoyed in the past—this can include breakfast discussions or networking events, happy hour events, conferences, roundtables, lectures and discussions, classes, and so much more. Your  mentors  are a good source for recommendations, too.

2. Browse Networking Sites

Thanks to the internet, there are tons of ways to find events, conferences, and specifically networking-focused events, all categorized by geographic location.

Two of the most popular and well-known sites include:

• Meetup  — Explore free and low-cost in-person meet-ups in your industry, whether it’s beauty, tech, photography, or something else. There’s also a category for “career and business events” with a wide variety of career-focused groups that meet regularly.
• Eventbrite  — This event-based site has listing pages for free and paid events. You’ll find fairs, festivals, discussions, conferences, classes, and much more.

There are many opportunities to network virtually that remote professional can participate in.

3. Check Social Media and Your Inbox

Do you follow industry organizations on social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram) and subscribe to newsletters? Many organizations put on annual or even more frequent events.

If you’re involved in media, publishing, or public relations, for instance, you’ll want to follow MediaBistro and Muckrack on social media and subscribe to their newsletters, since both organizations frequently host networking events, conferences, and host classes.

Look for the organizations in your industry and follow them on social media and through newsletters. If you're not sure which organizations are big, ask colleagues, post on LinkedIn, or do a quick online search.

4. Alumni and Affinity Organizations

Your college or graduate school can also be a rich source of events — they may host holiday parties which are an ideal place to make your elevator pitch and share a business card.

Colleges and universities also frequently host events and conversations which are also a great place to meet people.

Affinity groups form around interests, goals, and sometimes identity. Some organizations, for instance, have affinity groups for LGBTQ+ people, or for women, or for people with disabilities, etc. You can join a group at your office, or seek out one outside of your company.

For instance,  DamesBond  is a woman-focused networking organization, while  Out Professionals  is a membership-driven organization that has job listings, networking events, professional development, and more services for members.

5. Local Organizations

For more places to find networking events, think local: your library or religious institution may host events. You may also find events open to all at community organizations, co-working spaces, and through your local chamber of commerce.

Make the Most of Networking Events

Going to endless events can be fun or exhausting, but it’s not helpful to your career by default. Here are a few tips on how to ensure that happy hour events, conferences, breakfast roundtables, and other networking events truly aid your networking, and in turn, your career.

Expand your definition of networking.  Some events are specifically identified as having the purpose of networking.

Keep in mind that any time you meet someone—from a book reading to a crafting meet-up—is an opportunity to expand the number of people you know.

Networking doesn't have to be forced; it can be a matter of making acquaintances and friendships. 

Know what you want to get out of the event.  Are you going to the event to learn more about a topic, to meet people, or to connect with someone at a specific company you’d like to work for? Having a specific goal can be helpful, even if it’s just “Introduce myself to two people who are in my field and exchange business cards or connect on LinkedIn.”

If you want to meet people, you’ll have to introduce yourself, join in icebreaker games, and converse. If you’re on the shy side—or introverted—this may seem a bit challenging. Remind yourself that probably everyone is a bit nervous—not just you. Set a goal to talk to just one or two people. Ask questions and connect by talking about the event’s theme or topics of conversations. (Here are more networking tips for introverts.)

Be prepared with an elevator pitch.  If there is something specific you’re hoping to get out of an event, come prepared with an  elevator pitch . That is, if you’re hunting for a job, starting off a new business, transitioning careers, etc., be prepared with a 30-second quick speech of your background and experience, and what you’re looking for next.

Follow up with meaningful contacts.  Even a thousand LinkedIn contacts won’t help you if none of them remember who you are. It is a good idea to connect with people on LinkedIn—and, in general, can’t do any harm. But if you meet one or two people that you have an in-depth conversation, send a quick email or LinkedIn message to let them know you enjoyed your conversation.

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Introducing GPT-4o: OpenAI’s new flagship multimodal model now in preview on Azure

By Eric Boyd Corporate Vice President, Azure AI Platform, Microsoft

Posted on May 13, 2024 2 min read

• Tag: Copilot
• Tag: Generative AI

Microsoft is thrilled to announce the launch of GPT-4o, OpenAI’s new flagship model on Azure AI. This groundbreaking multimodal model integrates text, vision, and audio capabilities, setting a new standard for generative and conversational AI experiences. GPT-4o is available now in Azure OpenAI Service, to try in preview , with support for text and image.

Azure OpenAI Service

A step forward in generative AI for Azure OpenAI Service

GPT-4o offers a shift in how AI models interact with multimodal inputs. By seamlessly combining text, images, and audio, GPT-4o provides a richer, more engaging user experience.

Launch highlights: Immediate access and what you can expect

Azure OpenAI Service customers can explore GPT-4o’s extensive capabilities through a preview playground in Azure OpenAI Studio starting today in two regions in the US. This initial release focuses on text and vision inputs to provide a glimpse into the model’s potential, paving the way for further capabilities like audio and video.

Efficiency and cost-effectiveness

GPT-4o is engineered for speed and efficiency. Its advanced ability to handle complex queries with minimal resources can translate into cost savings and performance.

Potential use cases to explore with GPT-4o

The introduction of GPT-4o opens numerous possibilities for businesses in various sectors: 

• Enhanced customer service : By integrating diverse data inputs, GPT-4o enables more dynamic and comprehensive customer support interactions.
• Advanced analytics : Leverage GPT-4o’s capability to process and analyze different types of data to enhance decision-making and uncover deeper insights.
• Content innovation : Use GPT-4o’s generative capabilities to create engaging and diverse content formats, catering to a broad range of consumer preferences.

Exciting future developments: GPT-4o at Microsoft Build 2024 

We are eager to share more about GPT-4o and other Azure AI updates at Microsoft Build 2024 , to help developers further unlock the power of generative AI.

Get started with Azure OpenAI Service

Begin your journey with GPT-4o and Azure OpenAI Service by taking the following steps:

• Try out GPT-4o in Azure OpenAI Service Chat Playground (in preview).
• If you are not a current Azure OpenAI Service customer, apply for access by completing this form .
• Learn more about  Azure OpenAI Service  and the  latest enhancements.  
• Understand responsible AI tooling available in Azure with Azure AI Content Safety .
• Review the OpenAI blog on GPT-4o.

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