3 critical networking skills for business opportunities & connections

Have you ever heard the expression, "Your network is your net worth"?

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

According to Contactzilla, 87% of professionals report that networking leads to new business opportunities.

Whether you're an employee looking to grow your career, or an entrepreneur wanting to grow your business, networking skills are vital to success in business.

Networking is the practice of building and nurturing relationships to exchange information, resources, and support for mutual benefit.

Relationships can include clients, customers, partnerships, and vendors.

Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash

Whether you're self-employed, or working in small businesses or big organizations, networking is the same concept for everyone!

Networking skills are vital for making connections and finding opportunities. Did you know 24% of sales come from it? Plus, businesses with a plan are 38% more effective. The best part? You get new leads, share ideas, and boost your profile. It’s all about using those networking skills to build real connections in the business world!

Relationships are the driving force behind successful businesses. Having a well-planned, well-connected network, in person and online, is essential.

• Build strong connections: Regular engagement builds trust and solid professional relationships.

• Gain support and new perspectives: Trusted peers offer advice, help solve challenges, and inspire fresh ideas.

• Boost visibility: Active participation raises your profile and that of your business.

• Share knowledge: Learning from peers keeps you informed and up-to-date.

• Spark innovation: Network conversations spark new ideas and creative solutions.

• Create lasting relationships: Many connections become lifelong support systems.

Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash

Find key players who can help you strategically by:

• Offering advice tailored to your career goals

• Connect you to opportunities you might not find on your own

• Sharing industry insights that keep you ahead of the curve

• Providing support and mentorship

• Introducing you to other valuable people to help you move forward

These key players can include:

• Current and former colleagues

• Classmates

• Professors/teachers

• Members of relevant industry associations, sporting teams, social and interest-based groups or religious communities

• Peers from digital professional networks such as LinkedIn

• Recruiters who specialise in your field

This TikTok by entrepreneur Austin Rutherford talks about the importance of the type of people you network with.

He says that you need to have:

• Encouraging and motivating people around you

• Connections that can help your business

• Networks of people that can bring you opportunities

Online networking is all about using key skills to build meaningful connections at every career level, gain valuable insights, and create new opportunities. By actively engaging, offering help, and reaching out beyond your usual circle, you can strengthen your network and open doors for growth.

These digital networking skills will help you build strong, lasting relationships online:

• Master virtual communication & email professionalism: Send clear, personalized, and respectful messages. "Hi Priya, I liked your post on sustainable design — happy to connect!"

• Network across all career levels: Reach out to people at different career stages to learn and grow. "Hi James, I’m new to marketing and would love to learn from your experience."

• Engage in online communities: Join relevant groups to meet like-minded professionals. "Hi all, glad to join this group — looking forward to connecting!"

• Seek advice from experienced professionals: Be concise and respectful when asking for guidance. "Hi Dr. Lee, I admire your career path — any advice for someone just starting out?"

• Be helpful & offer value: Strengthen your network by offering support or making introductions. "Hi Anna, I know a great designer — happy to make an intro if helpful."

• Follow up & maintain connections: Check in professionally and keep the conversation going. "Hi Kevin, I’m exploring UX — would love to ask a quick question if that’s okay."

Networking in person is important because it allows you to make genuine, memorable connections by preparing thoughtfully, presenting yourself authentically, and building lasting relationships through meaningful follow-up.

• Prepare with purpose: Before attending an event, know who you want to meet and why.

• Make a strong first impression: Introduce yourself with your name, job title, and a relevant project or detail, and dress appropriately.

• Be authentic and share your value: Don’t be afraid to share your interests, experiences, and what you're seeking. Remember also to value what others say.

• Practice and rehearse: Prepare a few go-to conversation starters or responses ahead of time to reduce nerves.

• Follow up promptly and personally after the event: Send a follow-up message or email to express appreciation and continue the relationship — networking doesn’t end when the event does.

If you're an introvert, these kinds of events can appear daunting. Instead of trying to meet everyone, focus on having one or two meaningful conversations.

Look at the four case studies and decide who is networking the most effectively.

Consider how these professionals approach networking and identify who demonstrates effective strategies. Look for purposeful engagement, genuine relationship-building, and consistent follow-up — both online and in person.

Erin: marketing consultant starting her own freelance business

• Joins professional groups on LinkedIn, reaches out with personalized messages, and follows up with helpful resources or tips

• Attends local industry meetups with clear goals, introduces herself confidently, and uses open-ended questions to build deeper conversations

• After each event or contact, she follows up within 24 hours to thank them, share value, and stay connected

James: junior sales executive at a logistics company

• Attends trade shows regularly and  focuses on collecting business cards and talking to C-level prospects

• Sends LinkedIn messages with intros like “Let’s connect!”

• Relies mostly on cold outreach (getting in touch with people who have no connection to his company) and avoids follow-ups unless someone reaches out to him first

Layla: co-founder of a sustainable fashion brand

• Networks actively on Instagram and TikTok, engaging with influencers

• Prefers spontaneous conversations over planned pitches

• Doesn’t follow up unless there’s a clear, immediate opportunity or collaboration discussed

Daniel: mid-level manager at a B2B software company

• Makes posts on LinkedIn but rarely engages in comments or messages

• Focuses on internal networking within his company

• When he does attend networking events, he talks to people only after he's been introduced because he doesn’t want to appear pushy

Photo by M ACCELERATOR on Unsplash

So, what are the next steps to practice your networking skills for business relationships?