How To Sell Yourself – And Your Startup – When Networking

Networking is a little daunting if you’ve never done it before. However, meeting people and getting to know certain individuals are going to help your startup, or at least you personally.

Here’s how to sell yourself when networking.

Keep It Casual To Begin With

Don’t just dive in with questions and conversations around your business or intentions of being there. Ask about their day and keep it as casual as possible.

You want to build up a relationship with that person before asking the more personal stuff.

Try and find some common ground and a topic of conversation that relates to that person. Everyone is in the same boat when you go to a networking event, but some may be well versed in how to interact, so some conversations will be easier than others. 

Ask Questions

Questions are good, and it means you’re fully engaging in the conversation and that it’s not just all about you. Depending on what it is you’re trying to get from the person you’re chatting with, try to tailor your questions to be specific.

You don’t want them to feel as though they’re in an interview with them… Ensure that you have a balance between asking conversations and giving answers.

If you’ve managed to keep them engaged for a few minutes, then the direction of your conversation is going well, and they likely see some opportunity by talking to you too. It’s worth thinking up a bank of questions that you rely on if the conversation is going stale.

Watch Your Body Language Carefully

Body language is a big giveaway when it comes to your personality and how approachable you might be. It is easy to fold your arms, but you immediately look more defensive, and that’s going to put off people walking up to you.

That’s obviously something you don’t want so watch your body language carefully. It’s interesting to note that mimicking someone’s body language will help them feel more comfortable. Concentrate on having open body language that is welcoming and think about your tone of voice too. 

Have Business Cards

There is a lot to get from networking events, and you may even want to use event production services to throw your own one in the future. Therefore, it’s good to have some business cards handy to give out to those you impress or individuals that you want to stay in touch with. It’s polite when taking a business card yourself, to put it straight into your pocket or handbag. It’s a hint to the other person that you’re keeping it safe, rather than holding onto it where you could just easily put it down somewhere.

Being able to thrive in a networking event is certainly beneficial to your company or for your individual needs, so try and go to as many as you are able to become more familiar with how they work. 

This is a contributed post.