signed to tell others how you can help them. Again, your elevator pitch may vary depending on your need, who you’re meeting and where you’re meeting people. What you can offer to others may vary as well.

Keep in mind that one of the most important aspects of networking is helping others. Think about how you can add value to others by understanding your skills, business knowledge and resources. For example, you could offer consulting, analysis or marketing.

In addition, you could offer to connect people together. While talking with people, pay attention to their needs so you can offer your help. Depending on their needs, you may have to modify what you can offer or connect them to the right people.

By helping others before you ask for help, people will get to know and trust you. As a result, you will have a network of people you can count on to help you reach your objectives.

Final Thought

Networking takes some preparation. Put in the time to focus your efforts. With the right amount of strategy, you

Like anything in life, if you don’t have a clear focus, it’s much harder to become successful. Networking is no different.

Without focus, your networking success will be limited. Try to think strategically about networking and your end goal. By having a plan ready, you will be more focused and you will better understand what you need to do to reach your objective.

Depending on your need, your networking efforts will vary.

Be ready to change your plan often. Over time, you will have a good basis for what you need to do in all networking scenarios. By answering the questions below, you will be able to better focus your networking, which will ultimately make you more successful.

What’s My Need?

When a need arises for most people, we immediately start to think about ways to fulfill that need. Networking is one method people use. Whether you’re looking for a job, employee, client or partner, networking can help.

To help you relay your need to others, you want to make sure you have a focused and prepared message. Put together an elevator pitch. This is a short summary of who you are, what you do, what you’re looking for and how you can help others.

It should be about 30 to 45 seconds in length.

By creating an elevator pitch, you will force yourself to think strategically about your objective. When meeting others, they will be able to tell that you’re focused and will tend to take you more seriously. They’ll also remember you.

Because you have to develop relationships with people, it may take some time to have your need met.

In fact, before you can expect others to help you, you should concentrate on helping them first. Instead of attending networking events for no particular purpose, you will now have an understood reason to attend. Networking will therefore become more useful and valuable for you.

Who Do I Want to Meet?

Once you understand your need, the next step is to think about the types of people you want to meet. Do you need to meet decision makers, recruiters or service providers?

Think about how people can help you so you have a reason to talk with them when you make your approach. Also, try to think of ways you can help them so you will be able to build a mutually beneficial relationship.

One-way networking is not as effective. Make certain to provide some value to others. Of course, exceptions do occur.

For example, if you attend a particular event (such as a job fair or business expo) that’s specifically geared toward your objective, you may not have to provide much value to others. However, it never hurts to be able to offer something. Because each situation is unique, use your best judgment.

By having a clear understanding of who you need to meet, you will be making more effective use of your time at networking events. As a result, you won’t have to talk with as many people. You will be focused on quality rather than quantity.

Where Do I Find the Right People?

Now that you understand your need and who you should meet, you have to find out where to meet these people. Spend time researching industries, events or organizations so you know where to locate your target group.

Many sources exist to find events and organizations. Search your local market for event calendars, organizations, chambers, businesses and charities.

With the Internet, much of this information can be found online. In fact, you can register for many events online, which makes it very easy to attend an event.

Once you find an organization of interest, read the Web site to determine if you should pursue the group. To meet people, go to events, call board members or get involved. If you know who will be attending an event in advance, do some research on these people and their companies.

By knowing about them in advance, you will impress these people and stay focused at events. With the knowledge of where to find people, you will increase your chances of reaching your objective and make networking more successful for you.

How Can I Help Others?

Part of your elevator pitch is designed to tell others how you can help them. Again, your elevator pitch may vary depending on your need, who you’re meeting and where you’re meeting people. What you can offer to others may vary as well.

Keep in mind that one of the most important aspects of networking is helping others. Think about how you can add value to others by understanding your skills, business knowledge and resources. For example, you could offer consulting, analysis or marketing.

In addition, you could offer to connect people together. While talking with people, pay attention to their needs so you can offer your help. Depending on their needs, you may have to modify what you can offer or connect them to the right people.

By helping others before you ask for help, people will get to know and trust you. As a result, you will have a network of people you can count on to help you reach your objectives.

Final Thought

Networking takes some preparation. Put in the time to focus your efforts. With the right amount of strategy, you

pared message. Put together an elevator pitch. This is a short summary of who you are, what you do, what you’re looking for and how you can help others.

It should be about 30 to 45 seconds in length.

By creating an elevator pitch, you will force yourself to think strategically about your objective. When meeting others, they will be able to tell that you’re focused and will tend to take you more seriously. They’ll also remember you.

Because you have to develop relationships with people, it may take some time to have your need met.

In fact, before you can expect others to help you, you should concentrate on helping them first. Instead of attending networking events for no particular purpose, you will now have an understood reason to attend. Networking will therefore become more useful and valuable for you.

Who Do I Want to Meet?

Once you understand your need, the next step is to think about the types of people you want to meet. Do you need to meet decision makers, recruiters or service providers?

Think about how people can help you so you have a reason to talk with them when you make your approach. Also, try to think of ways you can help them so you will be able to build a mutually beneficial relationship.

One-way networking is not as effective. Make certain to provide some value to others. Of course, exceptions do occur.

For example, if you attend a particular event (such as a job fair or business expo) that’s specifically geared toward your objective, you may not have to provide much value to others. However, it never hurts to be able to offer something. Because each situation is unique, use your best judgment.

By having a clear understanding of who you need to meet, you will be making more effective use of your time at networking events. As a result, you won’t have to talk with as many people. You will be focused on quality rather than quantity.

Where Do I Find the Right People?

Now that you understand your need and who you should meet, you have to find out where to meet these people. Spend time researching industries, events or organizations so you know where to locate your target group.

Many sources exist to find events and organizations. Search your local market for event calendars, organizations, chambers, businesses and charities.

With the Internet, much of this information can be found online. In fact, you can register for many events online, which makes it very easy to attend an event.

Once you find an organization of interest, read the Web site to determine if you should pursue the group. To meet people, go to events, call board members or get involved. If you know who will be attending an event in advance, do some research on these people and their companies.

By knowing about them in advance, you will impress these people and stay focused at events. With the knowledge of where to find people, you will increase your chances of reaching your objective and make networking more successful for you.

How Can I Help Others?

Part of your elevator pitch is designed to tell others how you can help them. Again, your elevator pitch may vary depending on your need, who you’re meeting and where you’re meeting people. What you can offer to others may vary as well.

Keep in mind that one of the most important aspects of networking is helping others. Think about how you can add value to others by understanding your skills, business knowledge and resources. For example, you could offer consulting, analysis or marketing.

In addition, you could offer to connect people together. While talking with people, pay attention to their needs so you can offer your help. Depending on their needs, you may have to modify what you can offer or connect them to the right people.

By helping others before you ask for help, people will get to know and trust you. As a result, you will have a network of people you can count on to help you reach your objectives.

Final Thought

Networking takes some preparation. Put in the time to focus your efforts. With the right amount of strategy, you

e providers?

Think about how people can help you so you have a reason to talk with them when you make your approach. Also, try to think of ways you can help them so you will be able to build a mutually beneficial relationship.

One-way networking is not as effective. Make certain to provide some value to others. Of course, exceptions do occur.

For example, if you attend a particular event (such as a job fair or business expo) that’s specifically geared toward your objective, you may not have to provide much value to others. However, it never hurts to be able to offer something. Because each situation is unique, use your best judgment.

By having a clear understanding of who you need to meet, you will be making more effective use of your time at networking events. As a result, you won’t have to talk with as many people. You will be focused on quality rather than quantity.

Where Do I Find the Right People?

Now that you understand your need and who you should meet, you have to find out where to meet these people. Spend time researching industries, events or organizations so you know where to locate your target group.

Many sources exist to find events and organizations. Search your local market for event calendars, organizations, chambers, businesses and charities.

With the Internet, much of this information can be found online. In fact, you can register for many events online, which makes it very easy to attend an event.

Once you find an organization of interest, read the Web site to determine if you should pursue the group. To meet people, go to events, call board members or get involved. If you know who will be attending an event in advance, do some research on these people and their companies.

By knowing about them in advance, you will impress these people and stay focused at events. With the knowledge of where to find people, you will increase your chances of reaching your objective and make networking more successful for you.

How Can I Help Others?

Part of your elevator pitch is designed to tell others how you can help them. Again, your elevator pitch may vary depending on your need, who you’re meeting and where you’re meeting people. What you can offer to others may vary as well.

Keep in mind that one of the most important aspects of networking is helping others. Think about how you can add value to others by understanding your skills, business knowledge and resources. For example, you could offer consulting, analysis or marketing.

In addition, you could offer to connect people together. While talking with people, pay attention to their needs so you can offer your help. Depending on their needs, you may have to modify what you can offer or connect them to the right people.

By helping others before you ask for help, people will get to know and trust you. As a result, you will have a network of people you can count on to help you reach your objectives.

Final Thought

Networking takes some preparation. Put in the time to focus your efforts. With the right amount of strategy, you

t these people. Spend time researching industries, events or organizations so you know where to locate your target group.

Many sources exist to find events and organizations. Search your local market for event calendars, organizations, chambers, businesses and charities.

With the Internet, much of this information can be found online. In fact, you can register for many events online, which makes it very easy to attend an event.

Once you find an organization of interest, read the Web site to determine if you should pursue the group. To meet people, go to events, call board members or get involved. If you know who will be attending an event in advance, do some research on these people and their companies.

By knowing about them in advance, you will impress these people and stay focused at events. With the knowledge of where to find people, you will increase your chances of reaching your objective and make networking more successful for you.

How Can I Help Others?

Part of your elevator pitch is designed to tell others how you can help them. Again, your elevator pitch may vary depending on your need, who you’re meeting and where you’re meeting people. What you can offer to others may vary as well.

Keep in mind that one of the most important aspects of networking is helping others. Think about how you can add value to others by understanding your skills, business knowledge and resources. For example, you could offer consulting, analysis or marketing.

In addition, you could offer to connect people together. While talking with people, pay attention to their needs so you can offer your help. Depending on their needs, you may have to modify what you can offer or connect them to the right people.

By helping others before you ask for help, people will get to know and trust you. As a result, you will have a network of people you can count on to help you reach your objectives.

Final Thought

Networking takes some preparation. Put in the time to focus your efforts. With the right amount of strategy, you

signed to tell others how you can help them. Again, your elevator pitch may vary depending on your need, who you’re meeting and where you’re meeting people. What you can offer to others may vary as well.

Keep in mind that one of the most important aspects of networking is helping others. Think about how you can add value to others by understanding your skills, business knowledge and resources. For example, you could offer consulting, analysis or marketing.

In addition, you could offer to connect people together. While talking with people, pay attention to their needs so you can offer your help. Depending on their needs, you may have to modify what you can offer or connect them to the right people.

By helping others before you ask for help, people will get to know and trust you. As a result, you will have a network of people you can count on to help you reach your objectives.

Final Thought

Networking takes some preparation. Put in the time to focus your efforts. With the right amount of strategy, you will experience success.

By understanding what you need to do to make networking more effective, you will begin to realize the power of networking and why it’s so important for reaching your goals.