If you take up a career in communications, the most important client you'll be assigned to advertise will be yourself.
It's time to put a slice of our humility aside, folks.
A public relations career instills some valuable schmoozing traits. Assuming we're naturally communicative people, in our spare time, we should put those qualities to good use by taking full advantage of our networking potential.
Mark Macias, acclaimed journalist and communications practitioner, stresses the need to make interpersonal connections with people and highlights how being a natural conversationalist can go a long way.
"It got me to thinking: Public relations skills also apply to networking events. You might pay for salesforce or oprius, but if your networking skills are off, you might be doing just as much damage to your company as a hit-job in the National Enquirer," Macias said in his article, "How to Network Using PR Skills."
Aside from steering conversations in your favor, it's important to find common ground with people, or more so, ways in which you can benefit one another.
"The best publicists are authentic, and you can feel it when you first meet. That’s because these publicists understand that it is really about us – and not just you," he said.
Take it a few steps beyond good ol’ small talk and engage people. Don't be afraid to make eye contact, boldly react or fearlessly chat up a room.
Be polite, and this goes for your words and your appearance. Understanding that the way in which you carry yourself is a direct reflection of your self-respect and potential worth will remind you to gussy up when it’s time to make an impression.
"I’m sure it sounds shallow, but the reality is when you’re networking at these events, we base our perception on reality. And your reality is what you’re wearing at the moment," Macias said.
Lastly, seize opportunities. No client is too small, and no conversation is insignificant.
This article from BusinessKnowHow.com not only sums up how to network, but how to do it successfully.
And whatever you do, don't burn bridges. Someday you may find yourself needing to get from point A to point B, and you might be missing an important link.
