Lately I’ve caught myself thinking about how we need to stay connected with people from all areas of our life and in business, and how we can use these connections to our advantage.
I was lucky enough to attend the most recent rendition of an event called “The Gathering”. Sounds like an ancient druid meet up, but no. It’s actually a traditional basketry event that is held every two years, and it allows for people like me to come and share my techniques and experiences with others. I was even lucky enough to receive a speaking opportunity at the event this time around.
Attending this event got me thinking about the importance of connections for PR and in life.
Shared interests create connections
The best thing about the event was that it reminded me of how amazing it is to be in a room with people that share a genuine interest in the things that you love. Many of these people were known to me already as I had already been introduced to them via social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. While these are great methods of connecting with people, networking with others in-person goes a long way.
With my interactions at “The Gathering” it was as if we had been continuing a conversation that we had been having for years. Developing relationships with those that care about the same things as you do opens up the door for collaboration, which can take shape in many forms, such as a podcast for example.
Utilise social media
One of the easiest and most efficient ways of connecting with others is by harnessing the power of social media sites. Whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn or the many others, social media platforms are a great way of networking and establishing deeper connections with others.
When I came back from “The Gathering”, I posted a photo on Facebook claiming that I was sick with laryngitis and an ear infection. A woman who I had only met a few times at business events but had connected with on Facebook offered to me over some honey and lemon to help me feel better. This might seem abnormal to some, but it truly emphasises the interactions that social media can present you with, and it’s why you should use it to your advantage if you’re an entrepreneur or business leader.
Network with the media
Any business leader or entrepreneur should know that a good relationship with a journalist or other media contact can go a long way. Because of this, I’ve learned that it’s often the best choice to agree to any request that a journalist might have.
In doing so, not only does it enable the opportunity to strengthen your relationship with the journalist, but providing comment or accepting a request for an interview also allows you to strengthen your personal brand by putting yourself out there. Through a combination of social media and real life experiences, I believe that we can enhance the connections that we share with so many amazing people, which can not only improve our quality of life, but provide us with more opportunities.
Want to learn more about how to network? Download the FREE Networking Resource Guide:
Sydney Public Relations Agency, CP Communications provides specialist media, traditional and online PR strategies that get amazing results. Contact us today. For more great tips visit our website www.cpcommunications.com.au.
