8 Sure Fire Ways to Network for the Holidays - Workology

8 Sure Fire Ways to Network for the Holidays - Workology 8 Sure Fire Ways to Network for the Holidays You may not be aware but we are 73 days away from Christmas, and many retail companies are already knee deep in holiday staffing for the busy and profitable holiday shopping season. I myself, still have yet to even put up my Halloween decorations.  Ill probably get to putting those up around Wednesday of this week. As I mentioned on Monday, Im taking a blogcation, and have decided to feature some of the best of Blogging4Jobs starting with some great job search and business tips to catapult your business or job search into high gear during the holiday season.  While some business professionals take a break during the holiday season, I find the holidays a great opportunity to build relationships and make solid connections to take you forth in your job search, business, or whatever. This post originally titled 7 Ways to Network for the Holidays was written in October 2008, and still resonates three years later.  Ive updated things a bit and added some additional tips to get you supercharged for the Halloween party scene this weekend. No matter who you are or where you work, networking is the key to a successful career and future.  Sixty-five to eight-five percent of all jobs are found as a result of networking. It’s never too early to start or too late, and the holidays should be no exception. Here are 7,  8  ways to network during the busy holiday season with low cost and minimal effort. 8 Sure Fire Ways to Network for the Holidays E cards.  Send out free  internet  Holiday cards to your network. Hallmark.com has a large variety of interesting and work appropriate cards to engage your network at no cost to the send or receiver. Use the Blog.  Use your blog to interview your top client prospects or companies as a way to develop a truly unique relationship that makes way for referrals, business, and new friendships.  Most everyone likes to see their names in print or media.  Take advantage of the unique opportunity you offer as a blogger and form of new media. Host a Holiday Open House.  Either at work or at your home. Clients, friends, and  colleagues  can visit and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, wine, or sparkling cider while building new relationships or catching up with old friends.  If you have a blog, take advantage of the opportunity it brings.   Hit the Holiday Party Scene.  Make the rounds to all the holiday events and bring a stack of business cards. Never miss an opportunity to make a lasting impression.  No, business cards?  Follow up with a nice personal note via LinkedIn or Facebook to help  solidify  the personal connection. Demand Attention.  Drop by personalized and homemade holiday gifts to your network. Mix your favorite blend of coffees and package in a custom bag with label. Don’t forget to include your contact information and business card. Schedule and afternoon or two to make the rounds and let the job offers pour in.   Coffee Talk.  Invite a  colleague or friend for coffee and let your job or business intentions be known.  Remember to focus on  engagement  and conversations before  business.  Its the personal connections that set you apart from your competition. 12 Days of Christmas.  Create a marketing event highlighting yourself using the 12 days of Christmas.  Make a game out of it and take advantage in the popularity in gamification.  Ask for 12 referrals or new contacts from your network for 12 days or create 12 signature marketing materials to distribute to your network. Say it with Snail Mail.  Take part in the traditional method of distributing holiday cards using snail mail. Select marketing materials to make a lasting impression. Bottom line.  Get out there and get moving.  The biggest mistake I see in the job search and in business is people waiting for the opportunities to come to them instead of taking the bull by the horns and bringing the party and business to them instead.