Networking is one of the most important aspects of finding success, whether for yourself or your business. Making connections has become much easier over the past decade and gives people all kinds of new opportunities when it comes to expanding their social circle. The people you have in your network can have a vital impact on your success by recommending you for jobs, speaking highly of you to other employers, and sharing your ideas or work. With technology advancing more and more every day and a record-high number of social media users, getting to know people has never been easier. These are some of the best ways you can start networking in 2022.

Be Prepared

You never know who you’ll meet or where nowadays, so it’s always helpful to be ready to present yourself to the right people with an elevator pitch or resume. If you can share a quick explanation of what your goals and values are, you may catch the eye of someone who can offer you beneficial experiences or advice. You don’t have to describe what your five-year life plan is, because this could lose someone’s interest, so keep it short and sweet. When forming these new connections, you also want to make sure you’re able to highlight some of your best accomplishments without being too over the top. In 2022, this preparedness will benefit you in the long run and open all kinds of new doors.

Stay Active on Social Media

Social media has completely changed the world of marketing and advertising by making it easier than ever to form connections online. The best way to bring your business success is to expand your network and gain more exposure for yourself. Staying active on your social media will let people know that you are consistently working towards your goals and forming connections. You should also update your profile with original work as much as possible because this tends to stand out more to industry professionals. Some of the fastest growing and most beneficial platforms for networking right now include LinkedIn, FaceBook, Instagram, and several more. Using these platforms, you can follow like-minded users in your industry, which could lead to an opportunity to get your foot in the door somewhere exciting.

Take Initiative

Though it may be intimidating at first, it’s important to be comfortable reaching out to others before they reach out to you. If you discover someone who sounds interesting and you’d like to get to know them, start a conversation! By initiating this interaction you could come off more confident and determined, which will surely be noticed and benefit you in the long run. LinkedIn is currently the leading platform when it comes to forming connections and taking initiative when doing so. Another way to take initiative and maintain those connections is by sending follow-ups. Ideally, you should try to reconnect with people at least two or three times a year to make sure you don’t lose those ties. Being confident in yourself will never lead you the wrong way in networking.

Attend Events

Networking events are held frequently and offer plenty of opportunities to form new relationships with others who may be locally advertising. In 2022, there is a record number of virtual events now becoming available which makes it much easier to attend. While only going virtually sounds appealing, you should always take advantage of in-person opportunities around you. The best way to advertise your business is to tell people about it, especially when trying to make yourself stand out among the crowd. Plan to speak to a respectable number of people for an appropriate amount of time so as to not overwhelm anyone with information right away. If you have the chance to speak at an event, this could also be a great way to get your name out there to remember.

Listen More Than You Talk

As tempting as it may be to do all the talking when you’re trying to introduce yourself, you should practice listening above all else. When you listen and show that you’re interested and value what the other person is saying, they will likely feel more appreciated and understood. At the same time, the less you speak the more value your words hold. Obviously, don’t simply introduce yourself and then remain silent for the remainder of the interaction, that would be awkward! Just make sure that you’re allowing others to finish their thoughts before adding to them. If you enjoyed talking with them or believe that you’ve learned something, let them know. Listening can get you farther than you think.

How We Can Help

At Auburn Advertising, we put the needs of our clients first and always work to bring you success. Whether you’re looking for advice or trying to come up with an effective marketing strategy, our team is happy to assist you and bring you a pleasant experience. Today, networking can seem difficult, and exposing your work can mean putting in some extra work, but we believe we can get you there and help you succeed. Contact us if you’re looking to grow your business or network with high-quality service and a personable experience.