Networking Advice for Sales Professionals

The value of networking can not be overstated. If you’re a sales professional looking for a new opportunity, hoping to move up in your field, or if you’re transitioning into a new specialized industry, networking is essential. Another primary goal for sales networking is finding customers and clients.

It is pivotal to get your name out there, make contacts, and set up meetings. It is a practice that should continue throughout the entire lifespan of your career – not stop once you’ve landed a good position. Companies also need to keep on their networking game to find new candidates, keep their business relevant, and stay current with what the industry is saying, who is saying it, and who is out there actually doing it.

Seek out opportunities to network – don’t wait around for an invite. Research networking and industry events. Join a networking group locally or online and become an active attendee and poster. Request information interviews with sales experts you admire or attend their seminar and workshop. Attend social events with likeminded people. Take a hold of opportunities to ask questions and advice and avoid only talking about yourself! Focus on relationship-building before selling yourself. No one enjoys attending an event and enduring pitch after pitch.

Make sure people can find you. Have attractive and simple business cards available with your contact info and socials to provide once asked for one. Ask others for theirs. Spend a good amount of time creating a professional online presence on the right platforms (hint: it shouldn’t be all of them). Google yourself – can people easily learn about you and contact you? (And, while you’re at it, is there any undesirable information that might scare off a potential connection?) If you have a common name that brings up many others before you, investigate better SEO for your personal site, and consider using an initial as part of your name.

Networking isn’t just important for those looking to land a new job. Companies that aim to hire the best candidates should keep their networking game tight, as well. Even if you’re not currently looking to hire, continually attending events and participating in meetings will allow you to always have at least a foot in the water when you need to jump back in again.

When it comes to finding top sales personnel, connecting with expert sales recruiters with a proven track record and solid numbers is one of the most important resources out there. You can spend seemingly forever on a job board posting ads and getting lost in the weeds of responses, but you’ll get the best results with a sales recruiter whose only job is finding you the best candidates, so you can focus on running your business.

Meeting new people is an important part of branching out, as is getting your name out there, and discovering opportunities, but don’t forget about the people you already know. Your existing network should be maintained and tended to. It doesn’t just include coworkers and peers working in your industry. Connections can be family, friends, those in your community, local businesses, former professors and classmates, and people you meet at the gym.

Again, avoid trying to sell yourself or manipulate your contacts into supporting or buying from you. Make real connections and build relationships by being curious about others and learning about them.