Whether you are working full time, working as a long-term contractor, or running your own business, networking is essential to career development. Social media can help, but effective use of all your tools is important. Learn best practices for building or expanding a professional network that serves you best. This session includes best practices for transitioning within your company, building business for your independent business, and filling professional needs within your organization.

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FIVE TIPS FOR PROFESSIONAL
NETWORKING
STC SUMMIT 2014

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GETTING STARTED WHO SHOULD BE HERE
Anyone who:
• Is new to networking
• Needs to expand their network
• Needs a more powerful network

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GETTING STARTED AGENDA
• Introduction
• Grow the branches—expanding your network
• Watering—maintaining your network
• Check the tree—accept invitations regularly
• Personal interactions
• Produce good fruit—produce something of interest
• Pollinate the tree—promote and help others
Then Harvest!

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INTRODUCTION WHAT IS A NETWORK?
• Collection of collaborating colleagues?
• People who power your professional purpose?
• A power group of professionals, connected by various types of contacts, that
work together to help each other?
• Dictionary.com: “an association of individuals having a common interest,
formed to provide mutual assistance, helpful information, or the like”

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INTRODUCTION WHAT IS NETWORKING?
• Verb: “to cultivate people who can
be helpful to one professionally,
especially in finding employment
or moving to a higher position.”
• Find professional resources

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INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF NETWORKING
• Job hunting
• Head hunting
• Answering questions
• Asking for advice

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LET’S GET STARTED
FIVE TIPS

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TIP 1: GROW THE
BRANCHES
EXPAND YOUR NETWORK
Simple Start
• STC Community
• Bosses and coworkers
• Other company contacts from
current or former companies
• Friends and neighbors
Additional Contacts
• Community mailing lists
• Tool or technique seminars and
workshops
• Other teams

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TIP 2: WATER MAINTAINING THE NETWORK
• Regular updates or posts that showcase your expertise
• Ask questions
• Answer questions
• Gather with local contacts in person-meetings or
lunches
Some examples of
interactions:

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TIP 2: WATER MAINTAINING THE NETWORK
Resources you can use:
• Twitter
• Blogs
• Mailing lists
• LinkedIn
• Slideshare.net
• Email
• Phone

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TIP 2: WATER MAINTAINING THE NETWORK
• Fifteen to thirty minutes per day
• About two or three hours a week
• It really depends on your tools
• Twitter: 20 minutes per day (not all together)
• LinkedIn: 2-3 times per week, ten minutes or so each
• Blogs: Post regularly, check comments daily
How long should
this take?

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TIP 3: PRODUCE
FRUIT
FEEDING THE NETWORK
• Articles
• Collaborative projects
• Presentations
• Reviews
Keep them focused

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TIP 4: POLLINATE FEED THE NETWORK
• Answer questions
• Provide resources
• Post job positions
• Point to others
• Introduce others
Quid pro quo

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TIP 5: HARVEST IT’S GIVE AND TAKE
• Why network? To get results!
• Ask your network first
• A well-fed network will go to work
for you.
• Always say thank you!
• Network some more

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CLOSING TEN GOLDEN RULES OF NETWORKING
1. Drop the 'what is in it for me?' attitude.
2. Use active listening skills.
3. Build relationships at every opportunity.
4. Be the first to give a referral ('give and you will receive').
5. Do not be the first to ask for a referral (in other words don't network with
'what's in it for me?' in mind)
6. Ensure any referral you make matches the needs of the other person.
(Nothing is more frustrating then being sent a referral that wastes both
parties' time.)
7. Reciprocate often.
8. Participate in networking opportunities (be seen in the business
community).
9. Thank the person who gave you a referral.
10. Follow up on any referrals within 24 hours.
Used with permission from flexiblelearning.net

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CLOSING Q&A
• Jenna Moore
• Past President, STC Carolina
• STC Associate Fellow
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/techwriting
• Twitter: jcpmoore
• Slideshare.net: jcpmoore
Contact Me:

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sas.com
WWW.SLIDESHARE.NET/JCPMOORE