Why you should network
Networking can bring up negative images of sleazy sales people ‘working the room’ and generally being false. In fact people like this are bad examples of how to network. Rest assured that good networking is much more genuine and pleasant. Think of it as simply ‘meeting new people’. We believe it’s an important thing to do and here are some reasons why:
Learning
It may seem obvious, but learning is one of the best reasons to get out there and network. No matter what your level of experience is, there is always more for you to learn from others. Sharing your experiences and listening to other people’s is a great way to stumble across great tips, tricks and resources. E.g. “You want to do X? You should check out Y.”
It’s not (just) what you know
A lot of interesting people attend events, and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go out there and introduce yourself. This isn’t to say you should go out purely to climb the social ladder. In fact, simply trying to meet the most influential people massively limits your potential. You never know where great opportunities could come from, so be just as prepared to give other people a helping hand.
People are social creatures
Talking to people on social networks, forums etc. is all well and good, but nothing can match the effect of talking to someone face to face. Talking to someone in person will have more of an impact for the other person and they will be much more likely to give you their full attention. Making connections is an important part of life so try to make them as meaningful as you can.
Broaden your mind
Meeting new people encourages you to think about new things, or the same things from a new angle. A lot of creativity is about unusual combinations, so adding some new perspectives can help a lot. You may find that a conversation with someone new can lead to a eureka moment!
Avoid going mad!
Development can be a very solitary activity. Spending hour after hour looking at a screen can get a little tedious, especially if you work alone. After a while, those four walls can start to feel like they are closing in. Going out and meeting people can be a great way to have a break and refresh your mind.
Summary
Networking might seem unattractive at first, but after going to a few events and meeting some nice and interesting people you’ll wonder why you hadn’t been doing it earlier. In an upcoming post, we’ll also give you some tips on how to break the ice!