Networking tips and tricks for the uninitiated

Don’t do this.

Over the last two years, I have built a strong network across all industries. People often ask me how I did it, so I decided to write about it.

I want to present to you three scenarios from my experience, then discuss some tips for you to successfully network in similar situations.

Scenario 1: MIT Pitch2Match

Me pitching at Pitch2Match.

At Pitch2Match, MIT’s annual event, you can pitch in front of a crowd of startup enthusiasts. You spend one minute describing your startup or skill set. The goal is to connect people and build startups.

Most of the students were from Harvard and MIT, but students from a few other schools around Boston were also there. I was from Babson, but I knew I could pitch and had no fear in presenting to a room full of people.

You might ask, “How is pitching your startup related to networking?” To me, this is the greatest type of networking. When you are sitting in the audience, you often only speak to those around you. When you are in front of a room, you exhibit a level of confidence and have a chance to make the audience interested. Also, most people will go out of their way to speak to a presenter.

Tips from this scenario:

1. Find a way to get in front of the room. It allows you to network efficiently and gives you a platform to meet everyone in the room. Even if the audience members do not approach you directly after presenting, people know who you are, which makes starting a conversation incredibly easy. It also makes it easy for everyone to contact you as long as you mention your email, website, etc.
2. If you are a startup, wear a jacket or T-shirt with your startup’s brand on it. When people see my jacket, they often ask, “Tell me more about Shelfie.” This allows me to showcase my passion for my startup and gain new members for my network. Moreover, always read the person. If their interest in what you are working on declines, shift the conversation toward learning more about them.
3. Networking as an introvert can be interesting. I am incredibly introverted (INFJ), but most people won’t know this when I attend events. It is rare for us introverts to start a conversation, but once you give us a chance, it can be hard to get us to stop talking. Smile, join a group that is having fun and is clearly extroverted, and then let them bring you into the conversation. That has been my strategy and I have certainly found success.

Scenario 2: Cold contacting

Email 1: An email I sent as a student.

Email 2: An email I sent post-graduation.

Scenario 3: Harvard Business School’s Spark conference

Overall tips and tricks

In closing