“There’s my life before networking and my life after networking,”
Soucoup’s career started in the 1990s during Dot Com 1.0 and as he gained skills with his class in computer science, he started a blog to express his point of view. Not long after, interested in building a community of trusted people, he launched a Meetup group for the emerging field of mobile development. Since then, he’s learned how to spot the best people to approach at conferences or casual Meetups, and where and how it makes sense to use social media.
At “Microsoft & Flatiron Talk Networking,” part of Microsoft and Flatiron School’s monthly “Fireside Chat,” Soucoup confirmed that networking doesn’t come easily to many of us—especially software coders and engineers, whose characteristics may make introductions and connecting harder. But he focused on the argument that there is safety in numbers.
“Remember that everyone is intimidated,” he said. “And that the person sitting next to you wants to talk as much as you do.”
Research has shown that working with people from many different backgrounds, as well as training in writing and communicating, will be some of the most valued workplace skills for the future. That’s why it’s important for anyone, in any line of work, to find ways to connect with others—even if that starts with having small conversations in open kitchens, lounges, and elevators.
“Growing your real-life community and network is one of the most effective ways to achieve development goals or grow a business,” says David Siegel, CEO of Meetup. “Every week Meetup offers thousands of networking events across all industries, from informal social events to more structured workshops and seminars, where members with similar interests and objectives can connect.”
Here’s Soucoup’s best advice for making networking painless—and productive.
1. Let your words work for you
One of the best ways to start building up a network doesn’t even require talking to strangers in person. Instead, use your writing skills. If you’re a software developer, coder, or designer, writing about your perspectives on the field, the programs you work with, or others’ work you like can all help you introduce yourself to the world. Reading your words on a portfolio website, blog, or in an industry publication can give perfect strangers in your industry a sense of who you are as a professional and open up useful talks with future collaborators or teammates.
2. Small conversations are the best
Soucoup finds Meetup groups very useful. While many Meetup events are centered on a certain speaker, he says,
“The presentations are secondary. It’s the side chats you’ll have with other attendees that are important.”
Discuss the speaker and what they talked about with others in the audience afterward and use that chance to network and learn all about them by using an easy icebreaker asking if they agree or disagree with what was said.
3. The break room is your best friend
When it comes to lecture-heavy trade conferences, Soucoup notes, “there’s always lunch.”
His pro tip: Look for a table with at least two people who aren’t deep in conversation. That way, you have more than one person to engage in discussion. “Keep it upbeat,” he advises.
In other words, instead of asking your lunch peers what they dislike about the conference or a speaker, ask what they came to learn or which session was most helpful to them.
4. Make sure to connect digitally
If you’re actively talking and connecting with others in your field, Soucoup explains, you’ll begin to build a broad network of contacts who can get to know you over time through your links, remarks, hashtags, and emoticons.
He says using LinkedIn for professional networking, and Twitter for quick-response or casual communication among techies. If you’re blogging, a publishing platform like Medium or an aggregator like Dev To is a good place to post your work—and once it’s posted, you can post it via Twitter or on LinkedIn.
5. Participate in the online conversation
When it comes to social media, Soucoup suggests remarking on any and all posts that speak to you—either with a “like” or a re-post, with or without your own commentary. People can’t see you if you’re not out there participating in the community, he said. Join industry and alumni groups where you’re likely to meet people who share your interests or have common ground, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or for help—or to answer others’ questions or requests for assistance.
6. Give some, then give some more
“Networking is not transactional,” Soucoup notes. To build rapport and trust, he explains, you need to “give… and eventually get.” Offering help, advice, recommendations, and network introductions are all important ways to build your reputation as a trustworthy person who is willing to share their skills and resources in low-key ways.
Build these relationships so that when you do need help, which is of course the point of networking, you’ve earned the trust that will help you get it. Just make sure to ask for what you need, he reminded the audience. “If you never ask, the answer is always no,” he says.
We hope this gave you a little more courage to take on the world of networking. It can be a beast but with a little courage and these few tips, you’ll have what you need to get started.