{"id":6708,"date":"2022-06-12T14:09:26","date_gmt":"2022-06-12T14:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intch.org\/blog\/?p=6708"},"modified":"2025-03-24T08:14:30","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T08:14:30","slug":"top-10-networking-skills-and-how-to-improve-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intch.org\/blog\/top-10-networking-skills-and-how-to-improve-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Top-10 Networking Skills and How To Improve Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

With our guide you can take your networking skills to the next professional level. Learn how to get better at networking and what essential skills you need to develop to succeed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Networking is essential for building any successful career, launching a business or creating a noticeable social project. It can save you lots of time on getting the right connections. It can give you access to information that\u2019s otherwise not available to the general public. It can help you find funding for your project \u2013 and so much more. However, networking is commonly viewed only as meeting new people and getting to know them, which seems like common sense. Effective networking is a skill that should be mastered. Here we\u2019ve put together top-10 networking skills to develop if you want your network to work for you. Let\u2019s dive into the details!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Networking\"<\/p>\n

List of effective networking skills<\/span><\/h2>\n

1. Communication skills\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Networking is all about meeting new people, interacting with them and leaving them feeling richer than before they\u2019ve met you. To bring value to the table, it\u2019s important to see what your communication skills look like. While this is a broad term, communication skills include the way to speak with others, the way you resolve (or avoid) conflict, the way you respond to others. If you pay attention to developing your communication skills, you most probably will earn yourself a reputation of a valuable contact \u2013 and will have a great positive impact on your network.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Interpersonal skills\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

These can be commonly confused with communication skills, but it is important to know the difference between the two. While communication skills (based on the name) are mostly about the process of transferring information from one person to another in the most effective way, interpersonal skills are more about understanding other people. This is also a broad term that includes empathy (more on that later), emotional intelligence, ability to read non-veral language of other people, ability to express sincere interest in others. Developed interpersonal skills help to raise the level of trust between people, which means that you will be able to make lasting connections quicker.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Emotional intelligence<\/span><\/h3>\n

It is worthy to make this a separate point, because emotional intelligence has been quite the buzzword for the past five years. And, quite rightfully so. Emotional intelligence is the ability to \u201cread\u201d, and, most importantly, manage your own emotions and the emotions of people you are connecting with. Developed emotional intelligence helps you to deeper understand the motives of people\u2019s actions and helps you navigate your relationships better. Definitely a valuable skill to develop.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Public speaking<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cYou never get a second chance to make a first impression\u201d is a saying that is critical to remember while networking. In order to make a lasting connection, you need to become memorable to your new acquaintances. Public speaking is a way to do that, because in case you are able to give an emotional speech or inspire an audience, your presence will be noticeable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Humor\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Along with public speaking, humor will make you a pleasant and memorable person to talk to. Having the ability to loosen the tension with a joke, or start a conversation with a funny icebreaker will elevate your networking skills to the next level. However, humor is very personal, so it\u2019s important to stay professional and not go over the top. In the end, this is networking, not stand-up comedy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Confidence<\/span><\/h3>\n

Confidence is key for networking because when meeting new people. Getting to know a stranger is always a bit stressful, and having confidence will help you make an impression, However, confidence is not to be mistaken with arrogance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Focus<\/span><\/h3>\n

Focus is the ability of giving your new acquaintance your full and undivided attention. Prioritize the person you are talking to, and they will feel seen and heard. This is a good starting point for establishing a new connection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Respect<\/span><\/h3>\n

As everything in business, networking has to be done with respect. You have to be genuine in your intention of meeting a new person, you have to respect their time and the trust they grant you \u2013 that will make a great foundation for setting up a mutually beneficial connection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Positivity\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Positivity is a valuable trait in networking, because optimism is contagious. People generally want to be around proactive, open-minded and positive people, they want to be friends with them, they want to do business with them too. So, it\u2019s definitely worth to have a positive attitude while networking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

10. Emailing skills\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

While the pandemic resulted in a boom of online communication, now a great share of networking is done remotely \u2013 via email or social media. So, your first outreach email or a direct message will be a virtual equivalent of coming up to a person live. Thus, it\u2019s important to understand the tone of your email, because written communication doesn\u2019t convey the nuances of personal interaction. And, of course, always check your spelling!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to develop networking skills?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Development<\/p>\n

Okay, now we\u2019ve named the most valuable skills for networking \u2013 but how to develop them?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are some tips you can follow to upgrade your networking game in the long term.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check yourself and practice communication skills<\/span><\/h3>\n

Practice makes perfect, we know that, but just networking more frequently won\u2019t get you to progress unless you pay attention to what you would like to develop. So, next time when meeting someone new, make sure you pay attention to how you present yourself:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n