Being an active listener online and in the room.  

The networking world has changed so much in the last few years. At 4Networking many of our meetings are online now. This means that one of the key skills you need to be a fabulous networker has changed. Engaging with the people you are meeting is so much simpler when you are physically present with them.

Making any networking effective is all about being an active listener, and that means turning up, tuning in, and turning off. We can break down how we approach an online networking meeting into these three basic tasks. All these points apply to a physical meeting as well, but that is made so much simpler by being present in the room with your fellow networkers.

Turn Up

Being there on time is important. At 4N we have a few minutes of open networking before the group leader starts the meeting. Most other networks are the same. This gives you a chance to listen with your eyes. Look round the room, or the zoom, and see who is engaged, who is looking at their phone, who is speaking, who is being quiet. You can learn a lot about the others in the room at this stage of a meeting.

And while we are thinking about that, which view do you use online? Many people feel it’s easier to on the meeting using speaker view on Zoom. But in gallery view you have the celebrity squares showing you everyone in the room. This lets you learn about how people will interact in a breakout room and see their reactions to 40 second presentations.

Tune In

Of course, everyone else is looking at you so making sure you are tuned in to the meeting is important. You can use some aids to help you with that. At online meetings I have a candle burning that helps me focus on the meeting. Have a drink by you that will last through the meeting. You are there to do business, and that will only happen if you are present in the room, real or virtual, being engaged with your fellow networkers, and looking out for opportunities.

Turn Off

Turning off you phone is expected in any networking meeting, but online you can have emails popping up in the background to distract you. So, turn them off, you wouldn’t be checking them in a face-to-face meeting. Another thing to turn off is the negative voice. Every networking meeting is a learning opportunity. You will learn about the people from listening to them. If there is a knowledge share, we call them 4sights in 4N, then you should take away some useful ideas to implement. So having a voice in your head telling you there are other things you could be doing is unhelpful.

In The Room

What makes face to face networking simpler is eye contact. Eye contact establishes trust and connection with others. It conveys that you are listening and understanding what the other person is saying and helps to build rapport. It is important however to look away occasionally to show that you are thinking about what the other person is saying. Doing this will help create a stronger, more meaningful connection.

An in-person networking meeting also brings body language into the ways you are learning about people. We are back to listening with your eyes here, as the way someone presents themselves physically combined with their words and tone of voice teaches you everything you need to know to establish what you want to do next to develop the relationship. That should be a one to one, and we will look at having the perfect conversation next time.

Over the last twelve years I have perfected a foolproof system covering a few steps that anyone can use. I have gone from networking novice to coaching networkers and the owner of 4Networking in that time. Use my booking link to start your networking rebelution. Everyone I work with goes out into the world with a pitch they are proud of and the tools they need to make the most of their networking. Next time we’ll take listening to the next level, in the one to one.

My lovely client Jo said “Caroline has been my networking coach for about 6 months now. As well as polishing my pitch and teaching me how to construct a good speech she has also given me the confidence to actually do it. Caroline has helped elevate me and my business to the next level! My business has grown as have I as a person and a business owner and I couldn’t have done it without her!”