I’m not hugely confident, I’ve suffered mild imposter syndrome for years and naturally I’m a bit shy. I avoid all public speaking, but if you do get to know me I don’t shut up. I like to think of myself as a listener as well as a talker.
When I was made redundant from the BBC in 2006 I went to one networking event with a colleague. It was in in Paddington and I met a few people there including someone who is now a good friend of mine. No work came my way but I gained a friendship that’s lasted years.
Fast forward a few years, and I got a job and no longer needed to network. When I started freelancing, I found opportunities a lot on Twitter or from people I knew. I even designed some flyers for my local MP.
Once I moved and started web and graphic design in York freelancing, I found it much harder to get work. There is definitely as southern bias in that respect. I joined a few online groups, mainly womens ones and found them a bit cliquey at times. One even told me they had a designer so there was no point me really joining in much.
But I got some great connections from there including someone I’ve designed a wordpress website for this year.
Covid brought up so many online networks which I attend. After covid, I finally started going to in-person networking events again..
However I was SO nervous at first – it really is daunting going in to a room of people I don’t know.
However, now I love networking! I love meeting new people, finding out what they do, having chats about everything and everything. Often, chat soon goes from work in different directions – holidays, cars, jewellery and where you live.
- I was either given these tips or have worked them out:
- Everyone is in the same boat – others are nervous and you won’t be the only person attending for the first time.
- Don’t be afraid to go up and interrupt a group, it’s better than standing on your own and honestly, no one will mind.
- Try and wear something bright – I usually wear pink now to stand out and match my branding. So many people wear black.
- On the subject of clothes, most groups you will be fine to wear jeans and trainers at. Work attire isn’t as formal as it once was.
- Smile and be friendly and invite those over to speak to you who are on their own or look nervous.
- Introduce people to others – if they’re in a similar industry for instance – this gets easier once you get to know more people.
- Flatter people – I’m not so good at this but say you like someone’s clothes or business card.
- Have a few questions to ask – I usally ask where people live as sometimes that’s a nice way to chat and I’ve even found I have mutual friends with someone I’ve just met before.
- You don’t need a real business cards – look up HiHello or QR codes on your phone or even watch – this is especially handy for LinkedIn. That said, business cards are great to write on. FYI – here’s my LinkedIn profile – I’d love to connect!
- Don’t just stick to one group – this is really hard as you will eventually feel comfortable somewhere. I find sometimes there are groups on at the same time so try them all out.
- If you don’t like a group, you don’t have to go back.
- If you’re a freelancer make sure if you pay for a networking membership that you will get a lot out of it. Remember our time isn’t paid unlike those in full time work. I much prefer to attend free events or PAYG ones rather than pay for something I won’t use.
- Take into account the time taken to get to groups – some may be further away but will have free and easy parking rather than a bus and having to walk. Online events are great as you can meet people from outside your area, they’re usually free and are very time efficient.
- Support those who run networking events – tag them in a linkedin post and say thanks for organising.
- Tag those who you have met in LinkedIn posts – you may not have had chance to chat much but it’s nice for them that you remembered them and it’s also useful for them to re-post if they’re busy and haven’t had chance to post themselves.
- It’s not just about getting work it’s about connections and who those people may know. So don’t sell sell sell as they’ll just switch off and think ‘they’re the person who tried to sell to me and didn’t even ask me any questions’ and they won’t recommend you, however good you are at your job.
- Ask for chats afterwards with people you’d like to know more about. Especially those who you feel compliment your business. However, don’t be scared to say ‘I don’t mind having a chat but I already have a (name of their job) . I made the mistake of having chats with 2 coaches who saw me as their target . As soon as we’d had the zooms both times (one hardly asked me anything about what I did), I never heard from them again. Apart from a few more sales messages. This was despite lots and lots of complimentary messages beforehand. Also don’t keep messaging people with sales talk – it is really really annoying!
- Lastly – enjoy yourself – I have only ever met one rude person at networking. Everyone else has been amazing and it’s a great support network, especially if you’re freelance and find another freelance group.
Anyway, maybe you hate networking and you’re looking for a freelance web or graphic designer in York so get in touch!