In a world of increasingly digital communications it’s somewhat surprising to learn how much people still value face-to-face connections. In fact, 85% of professionals today say that in-person meetings allow them to build stronger, more meaningful business relationships. Networking with other like-minded individuals provides the opportunity to establish mutually beneficial professional connections. Additionally, the strategic collaboration and thought-sharing that is facilitated through networking can help drive creativity and innovation that can be applied within your property management business.

That being said, here are five tips to help you bring your networking skills to a whole new level.

Be a good listener.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of viewing networking as an opportunity to get more leads and increase sales, but if that’s how you approach things, you won’t get far. To the contrary, the goal of networking with others should be about establishing trust, not handing out as many business cards as possible. It starts with a willingness to listen and learn about what others want and need, which will naturally lead to more valuable opportunities to do business together in the future.

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Be willing to help.

Remember – good networking isn’t about “what’s in it for you,” but rather, what kinds of valuable contributions you can make to others. That means having an eagerness and desire to collaborate and lend a helping hand when needed. Simply put, people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care, so demonstrate your willingness to share your expertise in a way that will genuinely benefit others and they will return the favor to you as well.

Be sincere.

Don’t bother attending a networking event if your intentions aren’t in the right place, otherwise you will come across as phony and insincere. People can sense when they are being used and you’ll quickly find yourself being left out of future opportunities. Be who you are and use these meetings as an opportunity to let others see the human side of your property management company. Over time, this authenticity will help you develop stronger connections that are muchmore valuable and sustainable.

Be positive and approachable.

The key to meaningful networking can be likened to the difference between hunting and farming. If you go into an event with an aggressive or bullish attitude, you may come away with a few names and numbers, but it’s doubtful that much will come of your efforts. However, if you approach your networking activities with the long-term goal of sowing seeds that will eventually develop into a harvest, the outcome will be much more favorable. Keep a positive attitude and be open to making new connections, even if they don’t necessarily seem beneficial to you at the moment.

Be honest and follow through.

If you say you’re going to call, call. If you promise to pass along someone’s card to a colleague, do it. Following through with what you say you’re going to do lends itself to the “authenticity” we talked about earlier. Over time, the folks in your network will come to trust and rely on you and will gladly put their own reputations on the line to refer you to others.

Networking with others can do much more than just get more exposure for your property management brand. Establishing meaningful relationships with others can open the doors to unprecedented opportunities that may otherwise have been unattainable. Ever hear the expression, “It’s all about who you know?” In most cases, it truly is, and networking is the key to making those valuable connections.

What did we miss? What essential tips and tricks do you have that have helped make your networking experiences much more effective? Please share your thoughts and insight in the comment section below.

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Get your free copy of The Property Manager’s Guide to Proactive Management — and make the time necessary to plan for an extraordinary future.