THE LITTLE BOOK OF NETWORKING FOR TRANSLATORS How to boost your translation business with targeted online and offline networking Copyright © NYA Communications 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, translated, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, scanning, or any other means, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Disclaimer All material contained in this book is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The author takes no responsibility for any results or outcomes resulting from the use of this material. While every attempt has been made to provide information that is both accurate and effective, the author does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy and/or use or misuse of this information. First Published: March 2013 ISBN: 978-1482531633 'The richest people in the world look for and build networks. Everyone else looks for work.' Robert Kiyosaki Table of Contents A Guide to effective online and offline networking...... ................................................1 Chapter 1: What is networking.....................................................................................2 Definition and aims.............................................................................................2 Online versus offline...........................................................................................3 Within versus outside your industry....................................................................3 Chapter 2: Offline networking......................................................................................4 Objectives..........................................................................................................4 Find events ........................................................................................................4 Work the room.............................................................................................................6 Chapter 3: Online networking......................................................................................8 Objectives..........................................................................................................8 Cut through the noise.........................................................................................8 Engage, communicate, give........................................................................................9 Chapter 4: Networking etiquette................................................................................11 Top 5 offline networking Do's...........................................................................11 Top 5 offline networking Don'ts........................................................................12 Top 5 online networking Do's...........................................................................13 Top 5 online networking Don'ts........................................................................14 Chapter 5: Networking within your industry ...............................................................15 Chapter 6: Networking outside your industry.............................................................16 Chapter 7: The top 50 networking tips.......................................................................18 Chapter 8: Get started!..............................................................................................22 Links..........................................................................................................................23 A Guide to effective online and offline networking Thank you for picking up The Little Book of Networking for Translators. I imagine you did so for one of two reasons: either you are sceptical about networking and think you don't have the time or skills for it or you are engaging in networking activities already and wonder why you aren’t seeing results. In either case, this book will introduce the objectives and etiquette of online and offline networking and help you to identify areas for improvement. © Nicole Y. Adams – The Little Book of Networking for Translators Page 1 CHAPTER 1: What is networking? DDDDeeeeffffiiiinnnniiiittttiiiioooonnnn aaaannnndddd aaaaiiiimmmmssss Networking is a buzzword that seems to be in everyone's mouth lately. Business networking groups are springing up everywhere, and networking has become a fixture in today's business world. But what exactly does the term networking mean? First, networking serves to build relationships, support networks and trust. This is important because people buy from people. In the process, people, ideas and knowledge become connected, generating new ideas and opportunities. Second, by networking you are making yourself visible to potential clients and your target markets. Consider networking as word-of-mouth marketing, which costs little or nothing and is still the most powerful way for most small business to generate revenue. In my personal experience, I have received enquiries through Twitter and paid work through connections made on LinkedIn, Xing and Facebook, So I definitely consider the time spent networking a worthwhile investment in my business. © Nicole Y. Adams – The Little Book of Networking for Translators Page 2 OOOOnnnnlllliiiinnnneeee aaaannnndddd oooofffffffflllliiiinnnneeee You might say, 'Oh, I'm already active on several social media sites, and I network all the time'. However, while online networking is great and essential, it is not a substitute for face-to-face networking, nor is it sufficient if you do nothing else. In today's business world, small business owners need to build strong online and offline networks to lay the foundation for their success. WWWWiiiitttthhhhiiiinnnn aaaannnndddd oooouuuuttttssssiiiiddddeeee yyyyoooouuuurrrr iiiinnnndddduuuussssttttrrrryyyy When developing your networking strategy (and you do need a strategy!), you also need to decide whether to engage in networking within or outside your industry. Both approaches have benefits, which we'll examine in more detail in chapters 5 and 6. © Nicole Y. Adams – The Little Book of Networking for Translators Page 3