Everyone is talking about networking. As you know, the right relationships can help you in almost every situation in life. Networking offers you a multitude of advantages that pay off especially in your professional life. What sounds simple at first glance can be more complex and difficult in practice. After all, proper networking has to be learned.

What does networking mean?

The basic meaning is simple: when you network, you build up a network of people and companies. After you have added different acquaintances to your circle of acquaintances, you maintain these contacts. This way you can be sure of a long-term exchange of information, knowledge and assistance.

Basically, the term always refers to building and maintaining a professional network. Although it can be compared to a private circle of acquaintances, other rules apply that contribute to a long-term and mutual relationship. New contacts enter the existing network through active members, which can lead to steady growth.

The basis of networking

In order to start networking successfully, you should create a reliable basis for yourself. Whether you are building an analogue or digital network, the first step is always to determine your goal. Only when you know what kind of contacts are valuable in your networks can you target personalities to bring in. This does not mean that you have to invite all your acquaintances and friends: every professional network should fulfil your previously defined goal and give every member the opportunity to actively interact.

Why is networking important for you?

Regardless of whether you are selling a business package or key rings, there are always issues where outside help is important. This can be the design of your cards, the creation for your own logo or the design of your tags. It is very likely that there are friends or networkers who can help you. In addition, proper networking offers you the following benefits:

- Your digital network can support you in your endeavours. In return, you support others, for example in designing their cards or products.

- Networking helps you find partners for collaborations or projects.

- If your digital network is broad, you may get the support you need when looking for a new position.


Networking tips
Networking the right way is not difficult, but it does require the right mindset. The following tips will help you improve your networking.

Find your strategy

A concrete plan will help you build your professional network. For the necessary strategy, you should first ask yourself what goals you want to achieve with networking. You probably already have contacts that you could develop. Ideally, you should also think about how to describe your work. This includes: What is your business package about, what does it include and what demand do you meet?

Identify networking opportunities

If you want to network, you can expand your existing network step by step. It is important what kind of networking you do. Is it offline contacts or is it a digital network? Depending on this, different events may be suitable for expansion. Identifying these opportunities will help you plan your next steps.

Improve soft skills

Your products certainly require a lot of your attention. Your tags or packages/bundles should look appealing and offer the desired added value. They should also have their own logo. This focus regularly pushes the soft skills into the background, although they are crucial in networking. Nevertheless, you should make an effort to invest more time in this area in order to create a basis of trust and to have better conversations.

Find the right contacts and cultivate them

When networking, it is better to have a few high-quality contacts than a lot of low-value acquaintances. Based on your defined goals, you will know which networkers are particularly important to you. However, be sure to nurture your contacts. Keeping in touch on a regular basis is just as important in your professional life as it is in your personal life.

Keep the give and take in balance

Networking is primarily about giving. That means helping out your contacts with information or doing small favours. You know what's important when someone wants to give their business clients a key ring and a little something for Christmas? Then share that knowledge. In return, others will help you get a second opinion on your packages/bundles. The golden rule is: give 70 per cent, present yourself 20 per cent and take 10 per cent.