Networking Tips for Development Professionals

With all the talk about social media networking, and everyone buy getting onto Digg, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, etc. does anyone still do networking the old fashioned way?

Development professionals need to utilize all the various networking tools available to them. The old saying, "it isn't what you know, it's who you know has, in recent years, become totally focused on "who knows you." So how do you get people to know you? Here are some tips on networking that can be used for both social media and the "old-fashioned" networking methods.  

1. Get out there! You have to see and be seen. So where do you go to be seen? There are still tons of "live" networking opportunities. Join your local Camber of Commerce, networking groups, service groups, and professional associations. Attend meetings, serve on committees, and when you go to meetings, sit at a table where you don't know people.
   
   You should also develop a presence on the various social media networks. Check out the sites available and select the ones you think will best serve your needs. You may want to join just one or two and get started on them first before expanding your networks. It takes time to stay on top of these media.



2. Have your message clear in your own head first. Write your "30 second commercial" and memorize it. Have your elevator speech ready for both in person and posting on Internet networking sites. If you're attending live networking events, take plenty of business cards. Dress for success, look the part of the successful business person.



3. It's all about relationships. How do you build a relationship? By getting to know each other. Ask questions. Everyone likes to talk about themselves. Ask the person what they do for a living, where they lived before where they do now. What brought them to this place? How long have they been in their career? Online networking may not allow as much one-on-one conversation, but you can read the profiles of people and learn about their interests and hobbies.



4. Follow up. If you meet someone in person, make sure you get their business card, add it to your database, when they hand you the card, make notes on the back about anything special that you want to follow up with this person. Maybe you discussed a trip you have recently taken and you can send them a few good photos from your vacation if they are thinking of visiting this location themselves. For online networking, comment on postings especially if it is an area in which you have expertise.



5. Provide help. Make connections for the people you meet, introduce them (in person or online) to someone who shares their interests or has something they can sell or buy. Offer to send them information, post articles and slide presentations on social media.



6. Diversify: Don't depend on just one networking source. Try online and in person networking, both have their advantages and disadvantages, but both can be rewarding and may even open the door to potential donors, volunteers, a new job, and new friends.