Have you ever been out shopping and ran into a pushy salesperson who seemed overeager to win your trust, and it just came across as insincere sucking up? I certainly have, and most of the time, it cost the salesperson the sale because it seems phoney and I get uncomfortable. But there is a way to connect with potential clients and new contacts without being seen as a fake or a kiss up.
Learning good networking skills can help you when you are looking for a job and will even help you excel at your job.
Here are some of the best ways to build rapport and schmooze with the best of them – all without being a fake:
- Don't just talk about yourself – Remember that less is more. Start the conversation with a genuine compliment and ask them questions about themselves. Once you get them talking, really listen to what they have to say. It can be as simple as saying “Oh, I love your necklace. Where did you find it?”. This can start a conversation that will allow you to share information without overloading them with information.
- Have a plan – If you are going to a networking event, create a conversation plan ahead of time. Think about topics that you enjoy and feel comfortable talking about. If you have no idea what things are interesting to others, read a magazine or watch a celebrity gossip show. Read some articles about your local nightlife. These things will give you some ideas of great chit-chat topics. It is important to have things to talk about that don't involve you, your work, your skill or business topics.
- Don't have a real sales pitch – If you are meeting new clients or chatting with a group of people that you want to become your clients, don't give them a real sales pitch. Instead, drop your key points into the conversation.
- Ask lots of questions – People love to talk about themselves, and when you give them a chance to do that, they come away feeling positive about the interaction. If you are trying to build rapport with someone higher up than you, ask them about their work, their vacation plans, their kids or whatever. Make sure that you actually listen and ask follow up questions.
- Know how to leave a conversation – Sometimes when you are talking to someone and you want to stop, it is hard to disengage gracefully. Be polite, listen to what they are saying and look for ways to wrap it up. Then politely say “It was great chatting with you. I am going to (walk around, visit the restroom, say hi to a friend, whatever...)”
- Avoid negative discussions – This one is hard when you are nervous or uncomfortable, but don't be negative about anything. It doesn't matter what the topic is, just don't do it. It makes the people around you uncomfortable, and it can be a real conversation downer. No matter what you are talking about, there is always something nice to say.
Building rapport is easy if you step back and let the conversation happen. No one likes a brown-noser, but everyone likes someone who appears to be relaxed and easy to talk to. Building real, personal connections with clients and industry contacts is much more important than simply making the same sales pitch over and over.
By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a 9 year blog veteran and a freelance writer for RetailGigsBlog. Along with helping others find the job of their dreams, she enjoys computer geekery, raising a teenager, supporting her local library, writing about herself in the third person and working on her next novel.
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