Try These 23 Tips to Network Like a Pro in the Fashion & Beauty Industry

The co-lab is a member-led, private global networking community for fashion, beauty, wellness, retail, and consumer luxury professionals.

When the pandemic hit America in March 2020, I discovered a pressing need to build an online networking community to bring together all of the talented people I came into contact with every day as an Executive Recruiter. On April 13th, 2020, ‘the co-lab’ was born. Almost 2,000 people around the globe joined practically overnight and together we built a thriving community.

In celebration of our one-year anniversary, members of the co-lab have shared their top tips for networking in the fashion and beauty space.

The co-lab is a thriving community for fashion, beauty, wellness, and retail professionals to connect with each other, learn, inspire, post jobs, provide and receive mentorship, and more. Weekly panels and small group networking sessions feature industry leaders. To learn more about the co-lab checkout jointhecolab.com and join us! X Kristy Hurt

1. Listen and find ways to support colleagues and friends.
2. Always follow up and check-in for feedback.
3. Remember polite persistence will get you far.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or be direct about what you need.
5. Send a personal message when you connect on LinkedIn. Avoid email templates.
6. Make memorable connections by remembering important dates for colleagues.
7. Buy someone a coffee — for virtual coffee dates send a $5–10 digital gift card to their local coffee shop.
8. Offer to make significant introductions. Connecting people with each other and sharing resources will help cultivate relationships.
9. Alternatively, be extremely grateful for all help and introductions.
10. If you schedule a call, be on time! Assume everyone is very busy and their time is valuable. Keep initial calls to 15 minutes unless otherwise discussed.
11. Never burn bridges.
12. Volunteer to help on projects.
13. Pay it forward.
14. Don’t be afraid to network with people in a different industry.
15. Don’t help someone expecting something in return. A generous gesture is memorable, and you never know when that person will be in a position to help you down the line.
16. Be yourself and let that guide you to making the connections that feel right.
17. Building the right network is like cultivating a garden: plant the seeds, nurture it and be patient, and it will grow and bear fruit over time.
18. Send seasonal or even off season gifts or notes to clients and colleagues to express your gratitude and appreciation for their time and their investment in your success.
19. Make friends and be a yes person. Every yes is a door to a new opportunity.
20. Learn a new language! Not only does learning a language open more doors in your career, it will open you up to new activities, fascinating people and travel — all wonderful opportunities to foster new relationships.
21. If you read about someone inspiring in a news article, reach out! Tell them you’re inspired. It could spark a collaboration.
22. Don’t make small talk. Ask important questions. Even a class parent from your child’s school could be an opportunity to make a new professional connection. Ask people what they do for work!
23. Networking is about reciprocity — it’s a two-way street. Approach it as such, with respect and consideration. (who doesn’t want to help someone who helps them?)