Get Schooled in Top Networking Mantras

Believe it or not, networking helps both in personal and professional spheres. Since we’re talking about building up businesses, it is just the ‘it’ skill to get the work done. But if you are new to the ballgame of entrepreneurship and feel clueless about how it works, here are a few tips and tricks in networking that successful entrepreneurs swear by.

Think of the Worst that can Happen

Going to conferences and events can be a nightmare for some people. You know it that a certain expert can help you reach out to more people dealing in your field of business, but just the initial hesitation about how to break the ice. But it is important to give yourself that initial push and say ‘hey, what’s the worst that can happen?’, said Priyanka Khimani of Anand and Anand and Khimani Associates at a TiE Delhi Event.

“You go up to someone, introduce yourself, say hello and that’s all you need, to start a conversation. Events are the best place to network because you have the advantage of being in a closed space. And most of the times, talking to just one person sets the ball rolling,” she added.

Find a slip in. The ideal situation is when people you want to talk to aren’t talking with too many people around. Just position yourself in the right way next to them. - says Ishira Mehta of CropConnect

Position Yourself Right

Find segue. Now how to go up to people and really pitch your startup? Ishira Mehta of CropConnect said that she never hired PR companies to get coverage and it just happened through word of mouth. Her funda of networking she says is, “There have been times when there is a famous food writer or a famous journalist and it is important for us to get the word out there. I just decide if I go to a conference and I see them, I make up my mind that before the end of the evening I am going to talk to this person. And you just make it happen, sometimes you have to follow them around and there are smart ways to do it.”

“Find a slip in. The ideal situation is when people you want to talk to aren’t talking with too many people around. Just position yourself in the right way next to them,” advises Ishira.

ALSO READ: Entrepreneurship In The North-East: Trends & Challenges

Do Your Homework

No matter what you do, one just cannot pass without homework. And this is what Nidhi Aggarwal, founder of Karyaah, swears by. “For me to have a conversation with someone means that I would have thought through what and why is it that I want to say,” said Nidhi.

Priyanka also stressed on the importance of doing your homework and said, “Make an effort to find out who is it that you want to meet at a given conference and read about that person. And it is a great strategy to slip into a conversation.”

There you have it, now go ahead and make the best use of these tips.

More Stories by Poorvi Gupta

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