What is Networking?
Networking is the ability to create relationships or make contacts with the goal of expanding your network and generating new opportunities. It sounds great, doesn’t it? It’s often associated with sales, but it’s something we do in our daily lives and can even practice today.
Imagine you’re in your Tuesday yoga class, and after the class ends, you approach a woman to comment on how lovely the session was. You start talking and discover she has a business looking for the service you offer. Or, to make it less business-related, imagine you have back pain, and she knows an excellent masseuse and gives you the contact. This is networking and this is expanding your network. Easy, right?
I encourage you to practice it today. Make your first contact.
Tech Networking: Step-by-Step Guide
Now, let’s get to the main topic. You came here looking for a guide to improve your networking skills, and I’m here to provide it. We’ll focus on the tech community, though these tips can be applied in other environments.
Define Your Goals
Why do you want to expand your network? Do you need a specific target? It’s important to understand who you want to meet and why. Your goal might be to find potential clients, build a community to share a hobby, or secure funding for a project. Whatever the objective, you need to know your direction. Time is money, so it’s better not to waste it.
Take Your Time to Explore the Environment
What are the key references? Are there events you shouldn’t miss? Explore hashtags, conferences, LinkedIn top voices… My advice is to spend time observing how others interact on LinkedIn, how they engage with each other, and, most importantly, start asking questions if you have doubts.
The next time you go to an event, ask yourself, “Who do I want to meet and why?” Some event registration platforms, like Eventbrite, display the guest list on the registration page. If so, take time to review it. Check if there is someone or a company you want to connect with. If the answer is yes, look up the profiles of the guests you are interested in on LinkedIn to learn more about them and seek them out at the event.
Create a Calendar of Important Events
There are two approaches to networking: one is with full involvement, and the other is more relaxed. If you want to fully engage, I invite you to explore community events and conferences this month and make a calendar. You can use platforms like Event wiki or our own platform for this.
Note the technologies the events specialize in so you can know who you’ll meet there. Often, you can see who will attend the event and even contact them beforehand via social media. Don’t be shy.
Social Media is a Plus
As mentioned before, you can add people attending the events on social media. This gives you an entry point and a chance to converse during networking. If you’re organized and have clear objectives, note down the photos and names of people you want to talk to. Value your time and others’ time, focusing on talking to people in your sector. Don’t forget to keep your profile updated and share valuable content to reach your audience.
Time to Attend the Event
If you want to meet people, I recommend attending alone. Sometimes we stay in our comfort zone with someone accompanying us, which can be limiting for networking.
When you start going to events, it’s easy to meet the same people again. These worlds are often smaller than we think, and as many say, “it’s always the same crowd.” Use these reunions to deepen relationships and genuinely show interest in people and their projects.
Don’t Be Afraid and Be Kind
Approaching a group can be intimidating, but no one expects the best conversation in the world from you. Think that no one expects anything specific from you. Approach and enjoy the new stimuli they can offer. If you’re not a fan of improvisation, read the latest news about the sector and highlight your knowledge. Ask your companions what they think about it.
Many times, we don’t approach certain admired people because we feel we’re not at their level. In my experience, most people I’ve met are incredibly kind, just like you can be. You share the same love and interest: in this case, technology. Don’t fear rejection; the worst that can happen is that you stay as you are.
Record Your Contacts
You can use a simple Excel sheet but don’t rely on your memory. We can recognize about 5,000 faces according to New York University, and according to Robin Dunbar, who has dedicated his career to studying human relationships, the human brain can only manage between 100 and 250 relationships. So, after a year of attending events, your brain might not be able to tell if you really know someone or not.
Relationships Shouldn’t Be Fleeting
For me, networking is a relationship and a real interest in others. These are not one-day relationships. You will connect more with some people and less with others, but it’s important to nurture your relationships and treat them as they deserve. This can even be done digitally. Congratulate them on their achievements, inform them about other events, or even have a virtual coffee.
On a business level, if you want these people to remember you, it’s best to keep in touch through emails, newsletters, or personal invitations to other sector events. You might attend events where they are speakers.
Final Advice on Tech Networking
This advice is based on empathy. Remember that we are all people with our own lives and problems. Don’t treat others as objects or simple goals. If you notice someone feels uncomfortable, respect their space and limits. Communication is something to work on, and it’s not easy for everyone.
See you in the community!
