Networking Your Services is Like Shopping... for Clients,

Look at networking like shopping for a party. You need the right items, for your audience. Replace items with people, and always relay how the relationship you desire with be mutually beneficial for you and their target audience. You’re not going to find everything you need in one person, so you have to do your research to find several sources. Different sources may require different means to get in contact with them; you also have to explore how you can successfully get this done. Two important factors: where to shop, and how to place yourself in front of your shopping destination. Have a file of who you want to reach out to, and cross them off as you contact them, while taking notes on the details discussed in the conversation. You will realize that every person you come in contact with will offer something different. Person A may offer you short-term work, benefits, and perks such as access passes to fashion events and free subscriptions to a monthly magazine. Whereas person B may offer long-term work with no perks. Keep track of your shopping list so that you can compare and contrast the end results of your network campaign to really narrow down who is best for you—the smartest decision will be to negotiate with them all and to make it work with good time management.

There are a number of ways you can come in contact with people whom you’d like to network with. Find an approach that is in line with your personality to make it much more comforting. If you feel that you open people up with your bright smile then stop by and introduce yourself to someone you admire—face to face impressions are good because people can put a face to your name and it builds a more trusting relationship. Skype is also good for easing the tension and worries of who is behind the masked emails. Most people have their social media’s (Skype included) available to your benefit. It has been a very popular way to go about meeting someone you’re interested in, as you may already know. Other traditions have been emails, telephone calls, and mailing in letters. Don’t count out the success of your friends around you. Wouldn’t they introduce you to the host of an event if they brought you along as a plus one, the same rules apply here. A friend’s introduction may also tell this person that you are credible, and skilled enough to be referred. Never choose one approach, you have to mix it up, everyone is different and will respond differently. You will also better your chances of getting a response, if you feel that you’ve been waiting awhile and haven’t heard back from someone—maybe they don’t check their emails as often as their Facebook. Create a checklist for each individual, include notes from what you’ve talked about, and go down the list. Make sure your party is the best party you’ve ever thrown!