How to Build Your Professional Network in Nigeria is critical to the success of your profession. But, it is all too easy to disregard it while you strive to establish yourself as a specialist in your industry.
If you’ve been in your field for a while, you’ve most likely automatically built a professional network with little effort. You’ve gathered some business cards, sent a few nice emails, and perhaps even offered a favour to a buddy in need.
But, to advance in your career, you must develop the correct connections. These vital contacts will open up new doors to incredible chances. Therefore now is the time to build a solid professional network.
But where do you start?
It might be difficult to know where to start when it comes to expanding your network and professional networking abilities.
Yet, it is critical to maintain and expand your professional network. You must grasp the networking meetup and learn how to pursue new contacts that will help you in the long term with your employment.
Let’s look at why networking is so important, How to Build Your Professional Network in Nigeria, and what to avoid as you strive to expand your contact list.
Why Is It Important To Network?
By establishing and sustaining a professional relationship, you have access to work chances that you might not have discovered otherwise.
Your professional network can provide insight into various sectors, what possible employers are looking for, and how to develop your skill set.
Instead of networking and making new contacts with each organization, a single professional contact could assist you to get access to a meeting or interview for new positions with many companies.
It may also assist you in obtaining important referrals and face-to-face encounters with industry leaders. These benefits are well worth the time and effort it takes to create a strong professional network.
You save effort, time, and tension when you network successfully.
Understanding how to use the power of your professional network is a powerful weapon that may help you advance professionally and build your reputation in your sector.
Ways to Expand Your Online Network
In today’s job market, an online professional network is important for career progression and access to lucrative job prospects. It’s also convenient and simple.
If this is your first time networking, virtual meetups and networking sites are a terrific place to start. You may improve your LinkedIn profile by including relevant information about yourself and your accomplishments, as well as useful resources that others can use.
Even while many professionals still prefer to meet in person, the significance of online networking cannot be underestimated. Developing your network electronically is convenient, effective, and a great way to broaden your horizons.
Let’s look at five techniques to expand your professional network in every situation.
5 Strategies How to Build Your Professional Network in Nigeria
A professional network, like social networking, seeks to foster relationships that benefit all parties involved. The individual and the bond you develop with them should always be your top focus.
But, it is difficult to move outside of your comfort zone to the network when you don’t know anyone and take advantage of any networking chances that come your way. To get started on the proper foot, you’ll need to seek help from networking specialists.
Here are five professional networking ideas you can implement right away to help you expand your professional network.
1. Participate in both online and offline networking events.
Each industry conducts events that provide fantastic possibilities for networking. These trade events and conferences can be held both online and in person. Plan on taking advantage of these events to expand your network, regardless of where they are held.
You will be able to create new contacts with other guests through in-person networking opportunities. Try going to places where people who want to connect with you spend their time. Prominent lunch locations, happy hours in the industry, and charity events are all fantastic places to start.
2. Give More Than You Get
When developing a relationship, it is critical to remember that it is not always about you. Assisting others will pay dividends in the long run and motivate them to return the favour.
When the time arises, share your experience and industry knowledge. This can help you achieve your long-term networking objectives and develop your relationships with your connections.
The most crucial takeaway from this suggestion is to avoid being selfish and to always consider how you may assist your new acquaintances.
Similarly, if you see that you are always giving to a new professional contact but they never reciprocate, it is a good indicator that this professional contact isn’t worth your time.
3. Make Contacts That Will Lead To Long-Term Partnerships
Exchanging business cards is only the first step in developing genuine partnerships. Concentrate on developing long-term connections that benefit both parties.
Constantly make a conscious effort to assist your professional contacts. Don’t just inquire about their work background. Inquire about your connections’ interests, history, and family.
When you ask about the other person’s pet or pastime in a follow-up conversation, you’d be shocked at how meaningful it is to them. While you collect business cards, make rapid notes on critical details that will be useful during follow-ups.
4. Always Request What You Desire.
You will never obtain what you do not request. Many budding networkers are hesitant to express their desires directly.
If you want an introduction, a meeting with a recruiter, or guidance from an experienced professional, go ahead and ask for it. To guarantee that the other party understands what you are searching for, use a friendly tone and straightforward language.
The worst that can happen is that they reject you. Then you’re back where you started, but you’re aware that the touch does not require ongoing pursuit. Continue working your way down your list of professional connections until you get what you desire.
5. Follow Up on Every Contact You Make
Whether you build LinkedIn connections or in-person encounters, you should always take the time to follow up with every new connection you make.
After a networking event, sort through the contact information you acquired and follow up the next day by email.
Tell them it was a pleasure to meet them, including a little tidbit from your talk to refresh their memory and invite them to contact you if they ever require assistance.
Always follow through on your pledges and commitments. Nothing ruins a relationship faster than failing to meet your duties.
Avoiding Common Professional Networking Errors
Professional networking is a time-consuming but necessary method of advancing your business and career.
Even successful entrepreneurs, however, make frequent mistakes when they expand their professional network, resulting in missed opportunities and ruined connections.
Here are some things to avoid when professional networking.
- Don’t Make Use of Your Contacts: Nobody wants to feel used. Constantly express gratitude to each relationship and offer to return any kindness.
- Don’t Be Unprepared: Approach all networking encounters as if they were job interviews. Practice your elevator pitch and prepare responses to typical networking queries.
- Remember to Bring Business Cards: Business cards are the gold standard for exchanging contact information. Create a digital business card that you can rapidly share with new contacts to avoid being caught off guard.
- Don’t take up someone else’s time: When working the room, keep others in mind who may be waiting to speak with your new contact—practice ending a conversation gracefully and make a goal to interact with a certain number of attendees.
- Don’t Lie to Impress Someone: It’s easy to stretch the truth to obtain what you want but lies always come back to haunt you. If you never lie, you’ll never have to worry about being caught.
- You’ll be well on your way to building your network after you’ve mastered the art of professional networking. Constantly prioritize people and be willing to assist others.
- When you reap the benefits of your efforts, you’ll be glad you spent so much time building your professional network.
FAQs How to Build Your Professional Network in Nigeria
What should I bring to my next business networking event?
You should always carry a digital business card, a way to take notes, and a positive can-do attitude for your next networking event.
What are the many kinds of networking events?
Industry-specific conferences, happy hour gatherings, and fundraising/charity events are the three sorts of networking events.
How can I improve the visibility of my LinkedIn profile?
Improve your LinkedIn profile by uploading a professional photo, altering your headline to show more than your work title, and including a list of your relevant skills.
