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How to Network

A Guide to Professional Relationship Building and Connecting with Purpose

Kirsty James

Learn how to build your confidence and enhance your career by building effective professional relationships through networking.

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EAN: 9781398631311

Edition: 1

Published: 03 Jan 2027

Format: 216 x 138

216 pages

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About the book

Networking can feel intimidating, but building the right professional relationships can have a powerful impact on your career and personal growth.

How to Network is your practical guide to developing one of the most valuable workplace skills. From preparing for networking events and using AI tools to start conversations, to listening actively, building rapport and following up effectively, you'll learn how to create meaningful connections that last.

Written by networking expert and consultant Kirsty James, this accessible guide shows you how to build trust, strengthen your professional network and create opportunities through referrals, partnerships and career development.

With How to Network, you'll feel more confident starting conversations, growing your network and building relationships that support your long-term success.

About the authors

Kirsty James is a networking and relationship marketing consultant who specialises in business connection, relationship building and community building. Through her consultancy, Kirsty James Networking, she delivers keynotes on networking, connection, purpose and community building, and she carries out training on networking skills and strategy, personal branding, team building and communication. She is based in Warrington, UK.

Kirsty James

- Chapter - 00: Introduction
Section - ONE: Before Networking;
- Chapter - 01: Networking definitions;
- Chapter - 02: Recognising your networking profile;
- Chapter - 03: Knowing your networking 'why';
- Chapter - 04: Understanding networking formats (the 'what');
- Chapter - 05: Finding events, groups and networks (the 'where' and 'what');
- Chapter - 06: Preparing your networking identity (the 'who', step 1);
- Chapter - 07: Defining your target audience (the 'who', step 2)
- Chapter - 08: Elevator pitch (the planning, step 1);
- Chapter - 09: Networking assets;
- Chapter - 10: Networking values/etiquette
Section - TWO: During networking;
- Chapter - 11: What to wear;
- Chapter - 12: What to take;
- Chapter - 13: Arrival and circulation;
- Chapter - 14: Conversation/group entry/exit;
- Chapter - 15: Managing food and drink (including alcohol);
- Chapter - 16: Elevator pitch (the delivery, step 2)
- Chapter - 17: 1-1s;
- Chapter - 18: Managing difficult, derogatory or disrespectful conversations;
- Chapter - 19: Virtual networking twists;
- Chapter - 20: TBC
Section - THREE: After networking;
- Chapter - 21: Follow-up steps;
- Chapter - 22: Connection messages;
- Chapter - 23: Re-networking - the importance of KIT;
- Chapter - 24: Reconnection - leveraging your past;
- Chapter - 25: KLT Factor / building trust;
- Chapter - 26: Paying it forward/law of recipricocity;
- Chapter - 27: Associate networking - being there without you being there, word of mouth;
- Chapter - 28: Network extension and leverage;
- Chapter - 29: Connection management - organising your oinions;
- Chapter - 30: Success tracking/ROI tracking
- Chapter - 31: Afterword;