Networking 101
Just in case I forget to give you one, feel free to print this out and add this to your collection:
I hope you brought cards. I hope you’re giving them out to everyone you see. I hope you’re asking for cards from everyone you meet.
That’s how you network. You meet people and you exchange cards.
After meeting someone — as soon as you can — you might grab a pen and make a note or two on the back of the card — something to help you remember them.
“Gave me career advice.” “Talked about an internship.” “Said he wanted me to e-mail him a PDF of whatsis on my NewsPageDesigner portfolio.”
Because if you do it right, you’ll get home to discover you have dozens of cards. And you’ll have no idea what card with with what person. So these quick notes may help you keep them straight.
When you get home, the real work begins. Here’s what you do:
1. Put all the cards in a stack.
2. Put everyone into the electronic contact book on your laptop, iPhone or Blackberry.
3. Look up everyone you met at LinkedIn and on Facebook. Invite them to link up with you via those sites.
4. Then, write everyone whose card you brought home a personalized e-mail. Tell them how much you enjoyed meeting them. A personal detail or two — that’s what those notes are for — help prevent these notes from reading like form letters.
5. And then, the really tough part: Keep in touch. E-mail from time to time. Wish them a happy birthday or whatever. If you see they’ve posted something nice at NewsPageDesigner, congratulate them. Or, better yet, ask them how they pulled off this or that detail.
This is basic networking. It’ll help keep you in the mind of the folks you meet this week, here in Boston.
And the cool thing is that you don’t have to pay for lessons like this. It’s all part of the service here at VizEds.
Don’t just sit there, reading this damn blog. Get out there and network!
October 11th, 2007 at 11:57 am
This first-timer wants to know what else is a good thing to bring? Papers, shorts, pica poles, etc.?
October 11th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
No, no pica poles needed. Bring a legal pad — you can take lots of notes.
Bring papers — you can set them out for folks to pick up copies. Bring a recruiting flyer; there’s a place to post it.
Bring your checkbook — there are some awesome items up for auction for the foundation.
Other than that, you’re good. Bring an open mind. And be ready to meet lots of people!