In this conversation, Nathalie Amlani speaks with Michelle Whyte about the topic of connecting and networking more effectively.

They discuss personal strategies to combat the stress of networking events, the importance of intentionality and genuine connections, and the value of understanding oneself in order to navigate networking opportunities more authentically.

Michelle emphasizes that networking is relational rather than transactional, and states that being prepared with specific questions, actively listening, and knowing oneself and the room are key elements to successful networking.

They also share the importance of following up promptly after an event in a deliberate and personalized way, in order to keep the connections alive.

They talk about the Etiquette Evolution Academy where entrepreneurs can learn to hone their social skills and build relationships that ultimately benefit their businesses.

Here is a brief overview:

Be Relational, Not Transactional

During the conversation, Michelle emphasized, "networking is relational, not transactional." This suggests you shouldn't just aim to tick off numbers; rather, seek to build meaningful relationships. This mentality leads to more impactful connections. And the key to organic networking is understanding yourself and listening to others.

So, Why Network?

But why networking, you may wonder? Vital in the world of entrepreneurship, networking is essentially the lifeblood of your business. "Clients are people. Collaborators, partners, your contractors who you consume services from – almost any goal that you want to meet in business, there is a person or more importantly, a relationship on the other end that needs to be established, maintained or nurtured," Michelle says.

Be Prepared for Networking Events

Michelle also believes in the importance of preparation for networking events. Your success in networking is equally about planning and preparation. Knowing who is going to be in the room, how you can engage with them, setting your goals, all of these factor into your strategy for working the room.

Follow a Small Talk Framework

Michelle offers a small talk framework:

T is for talk - knowing what to talk about, having a range of topics, etc.

A is for asking questions.

L is for listening.

K is for knowing – knowing yourself, knowing who's in the room, knowing what your goals are.

Follow-Up Strategies Post your Networking Events

We also touched on post-event networking. Michelle emphasized that you need to have a strategy. You need to know what will work best with your schedule. Whether it's email or sending a voice note, be consistent and reliable in your commitments.

To wrap it up, networking doesn't have to feel like a chore. With a change in perspective and with intentionality, it can become a meaningful, beneficial part of growing your business and developing yourself professionally. Networking isn't just about the number of people you connect with but the quality and depth of those relationships. Be relational, authentic in your approach, make an effort to prepare and understand your audience, and be consistent in your follow-up. Implementing these strategies is bound to make you a networking master.

Episode Highlights

00:00: Introduction and Personal Experiences with Networking
01:46: The Importance of Networking and Building Relationships
04:06: The Art of Small Talk and Preparing for Networking Events
09:10: The Importance of Active Listening and Asking the Right Questions
12:32: Handling Different Types of Conversations and Social Anxiety
19:06: The Role of Mindset Shifts in Networking
23:37: Understanding the Importance of Genuine Conversations
24:11: Navigating Networking Events with Unknown Attendees
25:12: Leveraging Networking Events for Market Research
25:39: The Power of Pre-Event Networking
29:07: Strategies for Entering and Exiting Conversations
33:25: Making Yourself Memorable at Networking Events
37:52: The Art of Post-Event Follow-Up
42:27: The Evolution of Etiquette in Networking

Episode Quotes

"Networking is relational, not transactional." - Michelle Whyte

"Almost any goal that you want to meet in business, there is a person or more importantly, a relationship on the other end that needs to be established." - Michelle Whyte

Connect with Michelle:

Website: https://michelleawhyte.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/themichelleawhyte