15 – Networking Basics
Last Updated on 16 October 2025
We’re currently updating all our networking advice on this site, just to make it more accessible. Please bear with us.
Networking is what we do in our professional lives to get work, keep in the loop, gain new skills and to meet interesting people.
Other people want to network with us because we might solve their problem by getting a job done for them, or we might give them useful information or recommend someone else who can help them.
We’re also interesting people!
The basics
At its simplest, networking is:
- people communicating and exchanging information around a common interest
We’re all part of many networks in our personal life as well as professionally. We don’t tend to think of networking in our personal life, but we do it all the time as it’s a normal human activity.
In a work context the rules are much the same, but we call it networking.
The biggest myth
Networking is not really about selling yourself, at least not directly. This is the biggest networking myth.
Networking is actually about:
- making connections
- building professional relationships over time
- being honest and true to yourself
Because networking is about building relationships over time it isn’t an instant fix. We need patience to be a good networker.
Another myth is that networking is a selfish activity. This is not true.
Generous Networking
At its heart networking is a generous activity.
The best networkers do not primarily talk about themselves. Instead, they:
- listen
- ask questions
- recommend others
- give information
When doing this with other professionals it opens up opportunities.
Being generous is a very good look for freelancers.
Identifying your benefits
Think about how your work benefits others. It’s the benefit that people find attractive.
If you’re not sure what people value about the way you work try asking them.
A benefit is something other people perceive as the real reason you get work. It could be something about the way you work.
Just turning up and doing the job is not the benefit. The benefit is something you bring that’s unique.
Meeting people
There are two ways you might meet people who don’t know you yet.
1/ At events
Events can be daunting, especially if they’re crowded and noisy.
Remember that you’re there to talk to one person at a time, not to perform to a group. People might be daunting en masse. But individually people are usually fascinating!
Don’t be afraid to mingle and move around. If you want to keep in touch with someone maybe ask them for a card. Ask how they like to keep in touch with people.
Plan to talk to a certain number of people within a certain period of time. Setting a target time to leave the event can focus you and reduce anxiety.
Also set a target number of people who you might talk to who don’t know you yet.
For example you could plan to stay at an event for one hour, and talk to four new people within that time. Check out David’s blog: 10 tips for nervous networkers >
2/ One-to-one meetings
Every meeting you have in a professional context is a bit like a job interview.
Before: Plan your meeting. Be clear about what you’d both like to get out of a discussion. Research the other person. Prepare yourself. Get there early.
During: Ask questions and keep an open mind. If taking notes use pen and paper as it can look more professional.
After: Follow up, at the very least with a ‘thank-you’ email. It will help keep you in their mind. Put follow-up actions in your diary.
Online networking
Make it easy for people to find you online. Have a presence on the relevant networks such as LinkedIn.
Check out our separate helpsheet: 14 – LinkedIn Tips >
Check how you look online when someone puts your name into a search engine.
Make sure your web presence looks focused and is consistent. For example use the same name you would use in the workplace, and use the same profile photo across different work-related networks.
Split up your personal and professional life online and be focused with you who link to. Use a professional-looking email address.
Above all…
…use online tools to meet people face to face. Don’t hide behind the keyboard!
Image credit: Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay
Posted on 09 January 2020