To commemorate the fact that this has been International Networking Week I thought I’d share my ten top networking tips for accountants. I’ve addressed the subject many times before on this blog – most recently in the context of online networking websites such as Twitter, facebook and LinkedIn.

You can access all of the earlier posts, tips, observations and advice here by clicking on this link re: Networking and scrolling down the page.

Networking is not something covered by our professional training. But it has become a crucial part of professional life – other than for those lucky people who have a constant stream of high value work referrals of course.

Networking is one of the key elements of being a good ‘finder’ of new work so it forms a key part of my mentoring programme for ambitious accountants. I have extracted the following tips from that programme and hope that you will find them useful.

1 – Get in the right state, not in a right state.

Keep in mind that you want to gain some value and benefit from the time you are committing to attending the networking event. You’ll need to look friendly and relaxed if you want people to be comfortable talking to you.

2 – You will be more interesting if you are more interested.

We have two ears and one mouth so we should aim to listen for twice as long as we speak. The people you meet will be more comfortable talking about themselves than listening to you.

3 – Networking is about building relationships not about ‘getting work’.

People buy professional services from people they know, like and trust. You’re unlikely to meet someone who just happens to need your services that day. You will need to keep in touch and to demonstrate that you can be trusted. For example by promising to follow up with an email or supplying some valuable information in the next day or so. Then ensure you keep your promise and create further opportunities to keep in touch thereafter.

4 – “What do you do?”

Don’t pigeon hole yourself as yet another accountant who acts for small businesses. Practice answering the question in such a way that ensures you are remembered specifically and distinctly from all of the rest of your profession.

5 – Focus on a niche not a list.

Even those new acquaintances who are genuinely interested in you will quickly switch off if you try to identify all of the things you do or could do for clients. Equally they won’t remember the list so you’ll be in danger of making yourself more forgettable. In the first instance you need to focus on a key area/topic no matter how broad your expertise and experience.

6 – Flirt as you network

F is for FUN

L is for LAUGHTER or at least having a smile on your face

I is being INTERESTED in what other people have to say

R is RESPONDING to what other people are saying through conversation

T is TALKING appropriately not extensively about yourself.

7 – You’re not alone if you feel alone.

There will always be someone else standing alone who will be so pleased and relieved if you go over and start a conversation with them. The chances of rejection are tiny. Simply introduce yourself, ask them their name and what do they do.

8 – Listen to what people say; don’t try to sell.

You can only solve people’s problems or help them make the most of opportunities if you know what these are. That means listening and absorbing, not talking. If you listen well they’ll trust you and if you ask the right questions, you’ll uncover all the clues you’ll need in order to decide if you have something to offer them.

9 – Get the other person’s name and business card.

Don’t offer your card until you’ve got theirs; this avoids you seeming pushy. If you didn’t catch their name when first introduced, ask again. No one objects to repeating their name to someone who evidently wants to remember them.

10 – Follow up afterwards.

Having given up your time to attend the event make sure it is worthwhile by keeping your promise to follow up with each of the people you met. Even if you think that they may not be the most valuable contact remember that you don’t know who they know who could be interested in what you do.

These are just ten of the many issues that are commonly misunderstood when professional service providers go to networking events. Most of the points may well be common sense – but that doesn’t mean they are always common practice.