Network Your Way to Success

“Your network is your net worth.” This saying has been thrown around recently, highlighting the importance of building your personal and professional connections for success. Unfortunately, many people still see networking as a sleazy way to get ahead of the competition. In reality, networking is a mutual exchange of connections, ideas, and resources to help both you and the people you’re building relationships with succeed.

You network your way to success by changing your mindset and adopting strategies that focus on providing value to others. Here’s how you can do that.

Provide Value Before You Pursue Value
Networking is about forming genuine connections and relationships with people you meet. These people could be peers, mentors, or even potential clients. Not everyone you meet will have a mutual interest in providing value to each other. However, by authentically expressing your interests and goals, you can find people with complementary objectives.

Be proactive in offering your assistance, ideas, or resources before asking for anything in return. This ‘give-first’ mentality is integral to shifting your mindset regarding networking.

Attend Events and Reach Out Online
Luckily, there are countless opportunities to meet and connect with others. Start with industry-specific events, conferences, seminars, and workshops. These gatherings are perfect for networking because they cater to individuals with shared interests and goals.

At in-person events, consider wearing a name tag, introducing yourself to strangers, and asking open-ended questions to keep the conversation going. If you struggle to break the ice, you can prepare some conversation starters to avoid any awkward pauses.

Online, you can network via social media platforms, LinkedIn groups, Slack communities, and events hosted via Zoom, among others. These online spaces offer a vast digital landscape for connecting with people worldwide. Use search tools on platforms like LinkedIn to find people and groups that align with your interests and goals.

Be Prepared to Add Value
A beneficial way to provide value to others is through sharing information. Suppose you hear of a job opening that fits the interest of someone you met at an event. If a connection posts a request for recommendations for an attorney on LinkedIn, and you happen to know one, offering to make an introduction could be valuable.

Other ways to provide value include sharing relevant news or articles with your network, referring talent for jobs, or even just offering moral support or a sympathetic ear when needed.

There will be times when you need assistance, and it’s OK to ask. As long as you genuinely cultivate relationships and provide value to others, asking for help or a favour doesn’t make you sleazy or selfish.

Return the Favour
If someone helps you, return the favour when you can. This could be repaying the help directly to the person who assisted you or paying it forward to someone else in your network.

The goal is to create a community of connected individuals who support each other. This gives life to the old saying, “your network is your net worth.”

Attend Social Events
While industry-specific events are advantageous for making connections that could directly impact your career, it’s also important to network at social gatherings. These events allow you to bond with potential clients and mentors on a more personal level.

Don’t be tempted to neglect these opportunities in favour of industry events. Forming deep connections with individuals can help you foster enduring relationships that go beyond the professional level.

Monitor and Evaluate
As your network grows, determine which connections are worth cultivating further. Perhaps you’d like to deepen your relationship with a potential client or mentor. Setting goals for each relationship will help you allocate your time effectively.

Track your network and how it evolves over time. Some connections may become more valuable as time passes, and others may naturally fade. This is a normal part of the process, so take stock and adjust your efforts accordingly.

The art of networking takes practice, just like any other skill. Start planning and notice how these strategies change the way you views networking. Embrace the ‘give-first’ mentality, and you’ll be surprised at how enriching and enjoyable the process of building your network can be.