How to Run a Networking Call
So you have a time set for a networking call. What will you actually talk about? What kind of tone should you use? How do you end the call? Read on for answers, tips, and tricks.
Best practices
Lead the conversation. Because you reached out, you should be leading and directing the flow of the conversation. Don’t put that burden on your contact!
Know your reason for calling. Being clear on your intentions makes it easier to verbalize what you are looking for from your connection and helps you prioritize your most urgent questions.
Come with questions. Make sure you know what questions are most important to have answered so you can allocate your time appropriately.
Research your contact in advance. Showing that you’ve done research on their background shows your genuine interest in what they have to say (and saves them from having to share the entire background).
Follow up. Make sure to thank your contact for their time and address any follow ups that may have been discussed in the call.
What do I say in the call?
How should I start off a networking call?
Make sure to first thank them for their getting on the call; from there, you can transition into introductions:
If you know the person, this will make the conversation much easier. First, spend a few minutes catching up and getting to know each other better. Ask them what they’ve been up to since you last talked. You can also ask them questions about themselves and their field. This lends itself to a natural transition into what you have been up to and your reason for calling them.
If you don’t know the person, start off by introducing yourself and any details relevant to your call (your interests, work experience, etc.). Once you’ve introduced yourself, tell them why you have reached out to them and what you already know about them. You don’t need to summarize their entire history, a quick “I saw that you’ve been in edtech startups from the last ten years or so” will suffice. You can then ask them to quickly introduce themselves in case they want to add any color.
What kinds of questions should I ask when networking?
Once you’ve made introductions, it’s time to start asking questions. Depending on your goals and the person you are speaking to, the questions you ask may vary. However, do your best to ask questions that may be difficult to answer elsewhere. Example questions include:
What is the most recent project you’ve been working on?
What do you think are the biggest trends in the industry right now?
What advice would you give to someone looking to get into this industry?
How do I end a networking call?
Throughout the duration of the call, make sure to keep an eye on the time. This allows you to (1) make sure you prioritize your most important questions and (2) know when to start wrapping up the call. To make sure you are respectful of your contact’s time, let them know you are asking your last question when you only have a few minutes left. Once they have finished their response, thank them for their time and mention any potential follow ups if relevant.
Conducting networking calls should not be difficult — just do your due diligence in preparation and you’ll be ready to connect. Best of luck!
