It is the holiday season and you have the impression that all business stops. Is it true?
Not really. Business just changes a little bit during the holiday season and you need to know how to adapt. I have had over 20 years to learn how to adapt my networking skills during the holiday season.
Use this holiday season to start 2013 with a BANG!
Checkout my 8 tips on how to network during the holiday season and start 2013 with a Bang!
1) The holiday high school or college class reunion
Think about it. It’s been ten or maybe even 20+ years since you’ve been in the same room with many of your high school or college classmates. Sure they may see you as a clown just like you see them as a clown, but hopefully everyone has matured. The chances are good that they’re not all clowns anymore, and the chances are also good that some of them have achieved a relative amount of success in their careers. Some of them can be really great networking contacts. Take a gulp and swallow the unpleasant memories of your awkward high school or college years and starting fresh. You never know who you may meet.
2) Family reunions during the holidays
Our lives wouldn’t be complete without bringing together the awkwardness of family members during the holidays. The holiday family reunion doesn't have to be boring. Just like a class reunion most of your family members probably have their own careers, and while you’re catching up with Uncle Phil (who has worked in his engineering firm for the last twenty five years but has had to make a recent transition because of unfortunate downsizing), ask him about his job search and the people he’s looking to for advice. Hopefully because they’re family, they’ll be willing to grant you a favor. You might also meet another family member who has some great connections for your business.
3) The time consuming holiday parties
It is that time of the year that you might get invited to a spouses work party, a friends holiday party, or a neighborhood holiday party. If you're like me. You can't wait for the holiday season to end. It just doesn't seem like I get enough rest because I'm always running. Maybe my attitude had something to do with it. A coupe years ago, I started networking at the holiday parties. Why sit and talk to the same person for hours, right? Now I approach the party as a speed networking event. It is kind of fun and almost every party I meet a valuable contact.
4) The holiday and end of the year volunteering opportunities
Volunteering can get you in front of some very successful people and volunteering is great for helping you to build up your network. This point may not be entirely enlightening, but consider where you are volunteering and focus your efforts. If you’re a writer, maybe volunteer to write a newsletter. If you’re savvy with sales, maybe volunteer to help a local organization with their holiday fundraiser. This could help you make new contacts and even boost your resume for future job applications.
5) Hmm . . . “I’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch mine” method
Remember that this isn’t your first day at the rodeo and you already have a network built. You are a wealth of information! If you come across a fellow job seeker looking to expand their network, lend a helping hand and offer then some contacts or networking advice. You can ask them to return the favor by connecting you with some of their professional contacts. Also offer to post their business on your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ Profiles. Hopefully they will recipicate and post your business on their Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ Profiles. The added exposure may help you get in front of the right person.
6) Get online and start a Google+ Hangout
What? Really? Yep, Google has made it easy for anyone who has a Google+ account to get online and start a Hangout. First think who do you want to connect with. If you want to connect with Kansas Basketball fans, create an event on Google+ to promote your Google+ Hangout. Invite a few Kansas Basketball fans and share your Hangout to the public. When the time comes for your Hangout, you can click the link and start connecting with your friends on your Google+ Hangout. It is easy and a fun way to network.
7) Visit networking groups during the holiday season
Visiting a business networking group during the holiday season can be fun and festive. Visit as many as you can. Who knows, you may meet the right group that you feel comfortable with and will want to join.
8) You can't find the right network group? Start the holiday season by starting your own network
Hmm . . . you like to network with cyclist and notice that there is no group of cyclist in your city. If you have found a networking group lacking in your hobby or interest start a networking group yourself! It could be K-State business school alumnus or KU alumnus who are business owners. There are numerous ways to reach out and find people who have a similar interest– through social media or word-of-mouth to name a few. By creating your own group or starting a new event, either online or in person, you’ve just broadened your network. With Google+ introducing Google+ Communities last week, you could start a networking group really easy.
Hope these 8 tips help you this holiday season and you start 2013 with a BANG!
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