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In an industry as fast-paced and competitive as marketing, it is not enough to be skilled and knowledgeable. Marketing students who want to make their way into the industry need to learn how to network. Professional networking can help students break into an exciting industry, providing them with insights and opening doors to opportunities that otherwise might go untapped. Networking is crucial for students entering the marketing industry, and using a UK essay writing service can help them stay on top of their academic work while building professional connections. UKWritings.com provides expert essay writing assistance, making it easier for students to focus on networking and career opportunities without compromising their studies.
Building Your Network from Scratch
And so, fellow students, if the prospect of networking – especially if you’re starting from the position of having next to no network to speak of – fills you with dread, know that there are plenty of ways to start at least the process of building your professional network and contacts before you graduate.
Networking is essential for students entering the marketing industry, and utilizing the best essay writing services can help them manage their academic workload while they focus on building valuable professional relationships. Often, the best way to start is right where you are at college. There are likely to be networking opportunities, career fairs and guest lectures from industry professionals held at your school. There’s no better place to rub elbows with marketers and get some practice under your belt in a low-stress environment.
Another is your professors and academic advisors. Chances are they know alums in marketing, and could schedule you meetings or introductions. Feel free to ask for an introduction or some advice on how to make a connection.
Professional associations and firms involved in marketing-related fields can also be great networking tools. Most professional associations have special programmes for student membership and often host events specifically geared toward students and young professionals. You might consider joining these associations to learn more about a variety of marketers and stay on top of industry news.
Leveraging Social Media for Networking
Linkedin and Twitter are the two most talked about networks. They are important to the marketing profession. LinkedIn is the best known social network for marketing students. Students need to start building their profile for LinkedIn and participate in and share content and then they will have their own personal brand and build a network with industry.
Twitter is another platform that is frequented by many marketers and thought leaders – follow those that share insights or participate in industry-based chats in order to build your network and strengthen your brand.
Sharing great content is one of the easiest ways to build your name and brand (as long as that content is also great and you share it with the right audience). But aside from the usual suspects such as blog posts and articles, where else can you share terrific content? You have two options: (1) create original content – from blog posts and articles to tips and infographics or (2) curate sources of information that provide interesting insights, data and research.
Participating in industry-based chats is another great way to build your brand. These discussions can take place on Facebook or LinkedIn, but usually they happen on Twitter.
You might not know this, but to create a brand, there is no need to make up stories about your past experiences or anything for that matter. You don’t need to build a persona; in truth, it is much better if you are your authentic self.
On the other hand, in-person networking is still a crucial part of any strategic networker’s plan. While we can make significant connections online, nothing quite compares to meeting with others face-to-face to develop stronger, more meaningful professional relationships.
The Art of Informational Interviews
One now-classic networking tactic for students is the informational interview – contacting someone in the field in which you’d like to work, and asking if you can meet them for a brief chat about their career and their line of work.
An informational interview is not an interview for a job. It’s a way of learning from someone who’s done what you’d like to do. Informational interviews can offer insight into different types of careers, company environments, and industry trends. More than that, they allow you to meet people who work in your industry, and possibly someone who might contact you about a job opening when one becomes available.
When asking for an informational interview, be clear about your objectives, be respectful of the other’s time and be prepared to ask open-ended questions. Follow up with a thank-you note and, if you can, stay in touch from time to time.
Networking Etiquette and Best Practices
As you begin to build your professional network, it’s crucial to understand and follow proper networking etiquette. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
| Networking Do’s | Networking Don’ts |
| Be genuine and authentic in your interactions | Don’t be overly aggressive or pushy |
| Listen actively and show interest in others | Don’t dominate conversations or brag excessively |
| Follow up after meetings or events | Don’t neglect to follow up or say thank you |
| Offer help or value to your connections | Don’t always ask for favors without giving back |
| Keep your online profiles professional and up-to-date | Don’t post inappropriate content on social media |
| Be respectful of people’s time and boundaries | Don’t spam your connections with constant messages |
Remember, networking is about building mutually beneficial relationships. It’s not just about what others can do for you, but also how you can contribute to your network. Be genuine in your interactions, show interest in others, and always look for ways to add value to your connections.
Maintaining and Nurturing Your Network
It’s not just about making the network: it’s about keeping and building the connections you need. So that isn’t the end of the process. It’s not a case of ‘scattershot letting fly’ and then sitting back and waiting to see what comes in. As Baltes notes in a second study, you must actively cultivate these relationships ‘over time’ – by following up, sharing interesting and relevant information, and offering help when you can. But without making the rounds in the first place, this won’t happen.
A great tool for maintaining your network is a system for regular touchpoints. That might mean setting a series of reminders to reach out to different people every few months. A short email or message to check in, share an article, or acknowledge a recent accomplishment can go a long way towards keeping a relationship alive.
Keep in mind that networking is also a two-way street, so as you get more established in your career, try to find ways to help people in your network, especially students and young professionals just starting out, by becoming a resource to them. The more people you can help, the more you’ll solidify your relationships and become viewed as a valuable contact for others.
Overcoming Networking Challenges
Networking just doesn’t come naturally to many if not most of us – especially those who are shy or introverted. These feelings are normal, and networking is a skill that you can develop over time.
Go for small victories: make a modest networking goal for yourself for each event – maybe it’s talking to one new person at the school book fair or emailing an alumnus to schedule an informational interview or coffee. If it goes well, you can then take on bigger events, such as a networking mixer or an industry conference.
Remember that most people are flattered when someone shows interest in their work and experiences. So if you approach networking with curiosity, out of a genuine desire to learn, you reduce some self-imposed pressure and instead create the opportunity for conversation.
The Long-Term Benefits of Networking
Although networking to land internships or a job might be the immediate benefit for students of forming professional networks, it shouldn’t be the only focus.
But because you are in the early stages of your marketing career, your network can’t actually help you this way yet. They can’t help you with a specific project or deal because they don’t yet know about it. They can’t help you navigate a career change because you haven’t had one yet. And while they can help you stay up to date about industry trends and new technologies, they can’t help you find a job you haven’t started looking for.
Conclusion: Investing in Your Future Through Networking
Networking should augment your true self, not distort or replace it. Effective networking, especially if by necessity your style is more introverted, is intrinsically about quality, not quantity. It is all about developing real relationships. You must stay curious and open to learning. Look for ways to be of service to people and how to add value to their lives. With experience, the ‘work’ aspect will disappear, and you will find that networking has become natural and pleasurable.
So embrace networking on every level throughout the years of your incipient marketing career – because those conversations at conferences or drinks with acquaintances or ‘friending’ someone online could lead to a job, an interview, a tip on where to get noticed, a side job, and many other cool things if you make networking a priority now.
