The Best Books For Learning To Network

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When it comes to starting a business – they say your value is your network, and that’s certainly true! Networking is an incredibly important part of an entrepreneur’s life. It can help nurture business connections, gather insights or simply connect with like-minded people.

Luckily, there are a huge number of books out there that can help you master the art of networking.

 

Where Are The Best Places To Network?

 

If you’re at the start of your networking journey, you might be thinking – where the hell do I meet people? Luckily, it’s easier than ever to network. Some places to think about include:

Conferences or Trade Shows: If you want to target people in a specific sector, these events are a great place to start. They also regularly have networking sessions or social spaces, making it easy to connect with other people.

Networking Events: It might sound obvious, but every big city has networking events. Have a look at online event websites to see which ones might attract the type of people you want to network with.

Seminars: If there is a business school in your area, have a look for any seminars that you can attend. These often attract like-minded people and will also provide a great basis for discussion and connection.

Co-working Spaces: Co-working spaces and shared offices are not only good places to work, but network too. These offices come with communal areas that often host networking opportunities, allowing you to easily connect with businesses around you.

University Alumni Events: If you went to University, it’s very likely it will host alumni events. These gatherings allow you to connect with people that went to the same university as you, allowing you to connect with a wide variety of people.

Need some extra tips? Here we take a look at some of the best books for learning to network…

 

 

Superconnector: Stop Networking and Start Building Business Relationships that Matter

 

 

In this book, Scott Gerber and Ryan Paugh talk about how to network in the digital age. They focus on approaching people with mutual value propositions, allowing you to network more intentionally.

The book talks about the idea that putting other first will always bring good karma and benefit you more in the long run – a great mentality for anyone starting out.

Buy the book here.

 

How To Win Friends and Influence People

 

 

This book is a timeless classic that focuses on how to make friends, increase popularity and persuade people to think like you.

This is a great tool for business networking, as it teaches the fundamentals of conversation. With over 10 million copies sold worldwide, it’s definitely a useful book for business.

Buy the book here.

 

Friend of a Friend: Understanding the Hidden Networks That Can Transform Your Life and Your Career

 

 

Sometimes the best networking opportunities aren’t in new spaces, but in old ones. David Burkus’ book talks about how some of the best opportunities to meet new people can be found through those around you.

The book takes a totally different approach to networking, encouraging readers to leverage their existing networks, as well as their new ones.

Buy the book here.

 

Never Eat Alone

 

 

Master networker Keith Ferrazi talks about how he reaches out to new contacts to build his network.

The book acts as a guide to building the type of connections that will result in success for all parties. It’s more about relationships and giving, and less about networking and taking – a valuable lesson for building connections.

Buy the book here.

 

Networking For People Who Hate Networking

 

 

Hate networking? You’re not alone! This book is for the introverts – it talks about how you can network effectively, even if it doesn’t come naturally.

The book breaks apart standard networking advice, helping people who hate networking do it better. It follows everything, from conversations to interviews and more.

Buy the book here.

 

The 20-Minute Networking Meeting: Learn To Network. Get A Job

 

 

This book talks through everything when it comes to networking, from how to handle a meeting, to what questions to ask and how to make it mutually beneficial.

It’s full of examples and short stories, helping to bring the learnings to life.

Buy the book here.