The Art of Networking

by Michelle Longman, Cuppa Daisies

What is Networking?

“Networking is the process of making connections and building relationships with others.”

It’s a SKILL that you can add to your arsenal of skills. 

But first what it is NOT:

• Putting your business card in the goody bag and not connecting with people – that’s MARKETING.
• Spamming social media platforms with adverts – that’s MARKETING.
• Aggressive product pitching and convincing people to buy your product – that’s SALES.

If you are here to make a quick sale, you are in the wrong place.

What it IS:

• Relationships
• Actively Listening
• Investment in your future

If you are here to offer support to a group of fine women and learn about others, you are in the right place.

“No (Wo)Man Does It All by (Her)Himself”
Village People

Key Actions to Develop your Networking Skills:

• DELIVER value | DELIVER a great elevator pitch
• AUTHENTIC
• INITIATE connections | accept INVITES
• SUPPORT l SUSTAIN relationships | SHARE
• YIELD to listen

DELIVER

Deliver a great elevator pitch:

• Introduce your name and business clearly.
• Be concise about what you do.
• Stick to the time given; your passion will shine through regardless of the time you have.
• Wrap up by repeating your name and business clearly again.

Deliver value:

• Provide lucky draw prizes, ensure your details are included.
• Add samples, products, discount vouchers, etc., in the goody bags and be sure to mention them in your elevator pitch.

AUTHENTIC

• BE AUTHENTIC, BE REAL, BE WHO YOU ARE, BE GENUINE.
• People connect with REALNESS!
• We don’t all get on; and that is 100%.  We shouldn’t!

INITIATE | INVITE

Initiate connections:

• Contact networkers after the event to establish the connection.

Accept Invites

• A world of possibilities exists when we accept invites to events, coffee meetings, launches, social media pages, etc.

SUPPORT | SUSTAIN | SHARE

Support

• Support works both ways: by networking you are giving yourself the opportunity to be supported by others and to offer support (in whichever shape or form it may be needed i.e. emotional, physical, practical, brainstorming, sharing, listening, etc.).

Sustain

• Sustain the connections and relationships, keep initiating communication to keep the connection open and real.

Share

• Share of yourself, share your knowledge, share you contacts.

YIELD to Listen

• Listen to the other networkers.
• Understand who the other networkers are, what they do, what they need, how can you support them.

Michelle Longman
Guest Speaker: MomsBiz
26 February 2025