How to Network for Professional Success

By Kristin Marquet

Before I started working in the fashion and public relations’ industries, I felt uncomfortable in social situations, was petrified of meeting and talking to new people, and hated public speaking for many reasons but shyness topped the list. Yet, once I learned effective networking skills, my network of fashion and media contacts exploded.

Networking can be scary especially if you feel uncomfortable in social situations. However, effective networking skills are essential to meeting other individuals, generating good contacts, and building solid and relationships.

When you have a solid network you can rely on, connecting with potential clients, partners, and employees becomes much easier because you don’t have to wait for an awkward introduction. Additionally, the more individuals that view you and your business positively, the more leverage you will have.

Follow these tips to build a strong network:

1. Sincerity is a must. Most business people can smell phoniness from a mile away.

2. Determine your goals and objectives. Before attending any networking event – conference, luncheon, holiday party or any other business or social event, make sure it is for the right reason. Some events are for making contacts, while others are for learning a certain trade or industry. If you are a make up artist, I don’t think you would attend the American Bar Association Mid Winter Conference for Surety and Fidelity.

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PR Basics: How to Draft a Media Pitch

Want to know how you can draft a Media Pitch that Actually Lands Your Business Ink in Newspapers and Magazines as well as TV and Radio Airtime?

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned PR professional working with clients, an executive at a Fortune 500 Company or an entrepreneur working on a start up company, you’ll need to know how to pitch the media correctly if you want to generate publicity with booking interviews, writing bylined articles and getting write ups about your business. However, with the invention of the Internet, PR spamming has given PR a bad name.

With all the bad pitches and PR spamming, it is time to teach you how to pitch the media the right way. By pitching the media correctly, you will see your name in ink in no time.
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