5 evergreen networking tips to remember always

 Networking has and will always be essential for enhancing your professional life. It is integral because it helps you make connections that can help you get a better job or client or opportunity. Therefore, failing to network can be the death of your career. Knowing people in higher places or with special skills always pay. Thus, you cannot do without networking.

However, networking is intimidating for everyone. If you think you are the only person who finds it challenging to be in a room full of people and networks, you are wrong. Most people find it challenging, but they still network because they understand the benefits they get from the same. Here are a few evergreen tips to remember while networking, these will never get old.

Tip 1: Always be on time for an event or meeting

Networking happens at an event dedicated to the same or even when you are in a meeting with a new client or so on. Thus, it means you have an opportunity to network every day, and you want to make a good first impression. Thus, never be late, especially when it is a one-on-one meeting. Being fashionably late works on TVs and movies, but in real life, it can make you come across as unpunctual and unprofessional.

Tip 2: Always carry your business card

Even if you meet a potential customer or client you want to network with for a coffee, you need to carry your business card. This little card carries all the details that can help the other person get hold of you when necessary. It allows you to exchange cards, a business tradition, and you should never ignore it. However, people sometimes forget to carry a business card, which can be embarrassing. To save yourself from embarrassment, invest in a digital business card.

Tip 3: Learn to listen

Networking is all about connecting with the other person, and that will never happen if you only talk about yourself. A conversation happens when two people are talking to each other. It cannot happen when one person keeps talking about their brand, sales, or business. You have to be a good listener too.

If you only talk about yourself, the other person will lose interest, and you will never have their contact details.

Tip 4: Be mutually beneficial

Networking is a two-way street. When you network with someone, you cannot expect returns without investment. If you want something from them, you better have something in return. That’s how networking works.

Tip 5: Dress well

When going to a networking event, dressing your best is necessary. You cannot go in your night-dress or casuals to a networking event. Either the event will have a dress theme that you can follow, or you can wear the best formals you have.

Also, maintain proper hygiene and not stick your face with lobster bars before or while talking to someone.

With these tips, rest assured you will network better. Moreover, be confident, and even if you slip up while networking, your confidence will cover it up.

5 Benefits of custom API-driven development

 API or Application Programming Interface is essential for your website or mobile app because they connect multiple unique services and applications. Yet, this is not the only benefit of using API integration in your work. If you embrace API-driven development for your next project, you can do more. For instance, you can use it as a tool to build applications and as the basis of the entire development strategy for your project.

Let’s talk more about API-driven development below.

Understanding API-driven development

In simple terms, API-driven development is the procedure of building/designing APIs before the app. First, you create the APIs, then you create the application around it by using custom API development services. Custom API-driven development is unique from traditional API development because it uses APIs as the first step and does not integrate it while developing the app.

Why use API-driven development?

The question arises why a developer should use API-driven development instead of traditional API. The reason for the same is the benefits we get from API-driven development, which we are discussing below.

API-driven development makes everything accessible

Using a traditional approach to APIs after laying the groundwork for the application makes it simple to ignore some parts when deciding which of these parts need API integration. It can lead to gaps in API accessibility because your API doesn’t integrate well with the application, and redesigning the application is not easy.

Instead, when you use API-driven development, you develop an application, which is compatible with your API, and there is no gap. It limits negative surprises and APIs compatibility with the app.

It encourages modular and distributed architectures

Using an API-driven development strategy encourages application architecture that is modular and distributed. When the application starts with building an API framework, you can easily connect disparate parts of any application. It helps to break the app into modules which makes deploying them across a distributed environment connected through API.

It helps avoid API incompatibilities

API and application can have incompatibilities due to the use of traditional APIs. However, the same is not true with API-driven development. When you start with API, your chances of running into unexpected or awkward situations decrease.

It ensures your apps are cloud-friendly apps

APT-driven development is a new idea that is necessary as everything is becoming cloud-centric. With this technology, your software delivery will have maximum flexibility and connectivity. Thus, it is time to start thinking about using API-driven development instead of plain APIs.

It helps you avoid obsolescence

When you use API-driven development, it helps avoid any obsolescence of both APIs and your application. When you use traditional APIs, it either becomes challenging to modernize them, or it is difficult to integrate the application with an API framework. Keeping API to the forefront helps with decreasing the chances of this happening, not guaranteeing it will not happen if you don't keep the APIs up-to-date.

API-driven development is a new idea that is necessary as everything is becoming cloud-centric. With this technology, your software delivery will have maximum flexibility and connectivity. Thus, it is time to start thinking about using API-driven development instead of plain APIs.

How to be paperless? A simmple guide

 Let us ask you a simple question- how many papers do you use every day in form of documents or receipts or notes? We are guessing a ton! These paper unknown to you keeps piling on even though you want to deal with them, but you are not sure how to. 

This happens both at home and office leading to storage issues and spending money on more and more paper. Not to say, but using this much paper also leads to environmental degradation, which is not a great thing to happen.

Thus, we are sharing simple tips to ensure you can go paperless with ease and work towards saving the environment and your money.

Tip 1: Move forward ignoring the paper backlog

Yes, the paper log at your place or in your office can be disheartening, but to go paperless, you need to ignore it. If you start this journey by sorting or thinking about the paper log, it will overwhelm you, and your journey will never begin.

Thus, ignore the paper log. Instead, focus on creating new habits which will help you decrease your dependency on paper.

Tip 2: Switch to digital business card

Irrespective of whether you are working as an employee, running a business, or working from home, you need a business card. It has all the details that a prospective client will require from you to follow up with your business.

However, using the traditional business card means using paper, and that too in a humongous amount. When you switch to the digital business card, you are saving money and helping the environment.

Tip 3: Use apps for taking notes

Taking notes in a meeting is essential, and it helps you remember the key points when you start on the task. However, providing every employee with a notebook months after months will take a toll on your budget, not to mention its implications for the environment.

Instead of using paper notes, you can switch to digital versions of notes. Use apps like Google note and jot down all the essential points on the app.

It is a great idea because you will not misplace them as you might misplace your notebook.

Tip 4: Use cloud-sharing apps over paper memos

Previously, people used to send paper memos for upcoming meetings and more. However, to be paperless, this is one thing you need to avoid. Paper memos or reports in physical form only add up to your paper backlog.

Instead, use technology for the same by using slack for business or Cisco Webex Teams, and more. It lets you connect with your team, and client, and send documents or have a meeting memo go out without using paper.

Tip 5: Sign up for everything digital

Another way to go paperless is by switching to digital everything. That means signing up for digital payments that come to your email and removing yourself from all mailing lists. You can even start paying online all your payments as that saves money and time. Digital payments are fast and safe.

Try these tips and go paperless and it will benefit you in multiple ways.

Are you an introvert? Simple networking tips for you

 If you are an introvert, you must constantly the pressure when you have to network and make strong connections with clients. Right? It happens to the best of us and when you find it challenging to be around crowds or many people with whom you need to network, it can be too much. But what if we tell you that it doesn’t have to be? Most great businesses are run by introverts and you can channel your inner power to network and step up the ladder of success without changing your personality. How? With the help of these tips.

Firstly, don’t try to be someone else

As an introvert, the pressure is massive, but if you want to be better at networking,

you need to own up to the fact that you are an introvert. If you try to change

your personality, it will make it difficult for you to do anything, and that

will not help. Instead, you can work on other ways to improve your networking

plans and even learn some tips from an extrovert you know.

Take a friend to a meeting

Some events like an office party are essential for you to attend. Everyone from your team

will be there, and many other people will come, giving you a chance to network.

Thus, you cannot afford to ignore that event. A way out of uncomfortable

situations at the event is to take a friend or networking buddy with you.

Someone who supports you, and never stops you from talking to someone and networking. Also, they shouldn’t distract you when you are trying to build connections, and you do the same for them.

Follow-up

A tip that works for both extroverts and introverts. When you meet a prospect who you know is someone who can be your client, don’t take too much time. You exchange a digital business card with others for a reason, and that's to remind them about your meeting so that they can take action soon. But you cannot depend on them only for furthering your meet, it is also up to you. Therefore, use the details on the digital business card and use it to send an email regarding the meeting.

It works as a follow-up and helps them remember you too.

Go online for networking

For introverts, this tip works miraculously as it doesn’t require them to be in a room with multiple people. They can network online by making a great profile on

LinkedIn and Twitter. They can use it to join forums and connect with industry

leaders or anyone worth networking with. You can also be part of multiple networking events and seminars happening. It gives you a perfect chance to make connections.

Change your approach

Go for one-on-one meetings at a café or by playing golf. It will take time, but you

can network well this way.

 As an introvert, networking may be challenging, but it is not impossible. Thus, try these tips and you will have a successful career and an even better list of contacts through your networking.

How to be a social media manager? Tips inside!

 Do you want to be a social media manager? Then you have to market yourself right and acquire the best skills to be the best in your field. Remember that marketing correctly and having the best skills is necessary because there is a massive demand for social media managers. If you want to build your career in this field, here are some skills you require.

Communication

Social media is a communication platform, and you need to learn to be a strong communicator. Your communication skills need to be the best as you have to switch between platforms and

Writing

Another skill social media managers require is writing. At its core, the main language of communication is the written word. Visuals and videos are great, but writing is the center. As a manager, you need to know how to write a funny piece or a concise blog or indulge in fun banter on social media.

Research

You have to be the best researcher if you want to be the best social media manager. You should know about every trend, news, and algorithm change in the world of social media and implement them into your strategies.

To become a social media manager, follow these tips:

Learn the ins and outs of social media

Acquiring skills is not enough to be a social media manager. You also need to understand every social media platform. You need to know the ins and outs of each platform to come up with the best strategy for your clients. Make sure you know about organic traffic and paid promotion so that you are ready to get the best results.

Another important aspect is SEO for social media, which is again something about which you must know.

Be on social media

You aspire to be a social media manager, and you don’t have a social media profile? Does this sound right? No, it doesn’t! Thus, it is best to have accounts on various social media platforms. Not does this gives you a chance to understand how social media works and its ins and outs. But you can also use it to acquire new clients.

Have a business card and a blog

Along with having a presence, you also need other multiple ways to promote your business. One of the ways is to have a digital business card. Through your socials, you can attract multiple clients. Share your QR code or digital business card so that a prospective client can connect with you better outside social media and start working on the same.

Also, you can start a blog about how to manage social media and related content. That also gives you exposure and helps build your business.

Build a portfolio

Being on social media and having a business card is good. However, if you want to get the best opportunities, you need a portfolio that shows what you can do for your clients? Have a website with client reviews and what you do? Also, add a detailed process of how you changed a brand’s social status on your blog.