Going to traditional networking events like breakfast meetings or after-work drinks feels uneasy for a lot of people. Some are painful and seem in genuine too, with lots of people approaching with their cards and a pitch about why people should buy from them. Some of these events really drain and frustrate…

A recent study shows that networking can make people anxious, and one in four people don’t network at all. No matter how uncomfortable it may be, you need to be able to network. It allows you to meet influential people in your field and helps you grow professionally. Not to mention, people who make an effort to improve their networks are 50%–75% more likely to be promoted than those who didn’t.

Here are several methods enlisted by Globally Famous Business Enhancement Expert, Hirav Shah to get better at networking—-and grow your business in the process

1. Start by offering something valuable

Networking can sometimes feel like a one-way street to extract benefits without giving anything in return. But when you take the time to consider your counterpart’s interests, needs, or desires—and how you can potentially meet them—you won’t leave the exchange feeling empty. You might end up with a friend for life.

So instead of seeing networking in a negative light, try focusing on how you can bring value to the other person.

By finding unique ways to bring value to people, networking begins to feel equal and natural. And the other person is more likely to work equally hard to give you the same value in return.

2. Focus on establishing human connections

Networking isn’t just something you do when the need arises. You wouldn’t call your friend only when you require a favor, and similarly, you can’t just network when you want to grow your career or business.

Instead, you have to focus on establishing a rewarding, long-term relationship with others. This requires authenticity. To begin building these authentic relationships, you can:

Practice patience and allow relationships to grow with time, rather than forcing them to evolve too quickly. Approach networking the same way you would nurture a new friendship, slowly getting to know each other over weeks, months, and years. Then, when you do need advice, the relationship has been established, and it’s easier to go to that person for support.

Stay persistent with relationships that matter by sending personal messages and checking-in from time to time. Cultivating kindness and consistency in your relationships goes a long way. Make introductions between peers. By helping others meet people, you’ll strengthen your bonds with both contacts and foster trust and reciprocity in the process.

3. Give a genuine gift to the whole room

Many of these events will have a speaker, who offers insights and inspiration. However, they often struggle to find a decent speaker who will do this for free without turning it into a sales pitch that makes the audience groan. You just got to learn the art and the craft of giving a genuine, a real, genuine gift to the whole room.

Final Thoughts

Renowned Business Transformation Expert and Legendary Business Advisor, Hirav Shah, concludes by saying, “The good news is that you don’t have to love networking to be good at it. You just need to approach it differently by offering something of value and continually finding ways to make connecting with others a part of your routine.

Reciprocity is a powerful concept that can help businesses build strong relationships with their customers

If you can do that, you won’t just become a better networker—you’ll feel more fulfilled and build strong relationships that will positively impact your career for years to come.

Happy Networking to Achieve Grand Success in Life!!