people-networking2

Today, anyone can successfully network at speeds faster than ever before by taking advantage of Meetup groups, LinkedIn, blogging, Twitter, Instagram, videos, Google+ Hangouts and more. These tools are a great complement to offline networking, as they add to your personal interactions, which are often the most effective when it comes to creating a strong bond.

Quality and quantity are equally important aspects of networking. Find the happy medium between the two and you’ve found a winning formula. Here are some proven networking strategies to take advantage of the tools available today.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is an extremely successful social media channel for professionals. Ignoring the networking possibilities here would be foolish. Set up your profile and start taking advantage of the opportunity to network with like-minded people in your profession.

If you’ve sent out invitations that are being ignored, try personalizing them. This is much more effective, and goes a long way towards building a quality relationship. Introduce yourself, explain what you have in common, and express what you’d like to achieve from your connection.

Join LinkedIn groups and actively participate. Share content and publicly answer member questions. Even if you haven’t made a connection, you can message LinkedIn users in the same group. Simply click on the little black arrow near their post. Send a private message to a member whose question you answered publicly, offering to help more in the future. Providing value in your industry will expand your network of contacts and build meaningful relationships.

Meetups

One of the best things about the online tools available today is that they can lead to offline get-togethers. Meetup is extremely effective for connecting those who share similar personal and career interests. Look for groups in your area that do things you enjoy. Join others that match your expertise and industry. Joining more than one group will help you find the best networking value.

Give More

In networking, as in life, it’s always better to give more than you receive. When your mindset is to give, you will always build stronger relationships and see better results of your efforts. Do favors for others and offer value to both your existing network and new connections.

If you have a blog, feature a connection as a guest blogger, and send a thank you note. Share content across other networks. Look for ways to help others make valuable connections. Offering value with no expectation of receiving anything in return is an effective way to build rapport. Properly structured and correctly maintained, your network can be an invaluable ongoing resource.

David Klein is a leading Executive IT Recruiter & Headhunter with over 15 years industry experience.  As Manager of Recruitment Strategy for KDS Staffing, Inc., he has achieved industry-leading success. David has successfully led, trained and introduced many in the art of Executive Recruitment and Headhunting. If you or your organization would like to discuss hiring needs, contact David at 646-650-2833 or david@kdsstaffing.com.