Networking Cringe?

Forget everything you think about networking. It's not about awkward small talk or collecting business cards (who has these anymore?) It's about gathering information, sharing information and gaining perspective.

If the thought of networking makes you cringe, you're not alone. It's not about being pushy or self-promoting. It's about building an impactful knowledge accelerator based on your interests.

Hi! You’re here because you're interested in cultivating your professional online presence to grow your career and network.

Every month, you will receive a new email from “Professional Presence Pathway" packed with insights, strategies and actionable tactics to spark your thinking or implement into your pathway.

Thank you, I'm glad you’re here! Let’s Dive in.

Overcoming the Cringe to Accelerate Your Career Growth

Let's debunk some myths and common missteps to reframe networking

Myth - You are good at the job, old school referrals and networking are a waste of time. 

Reality ➡ Although you can still get promoted by performing well at your function, speaking for yourself and letting more people in your value is the new reality for career growth (well it's always been a thing, but it’s more important than ever). 

This isn't about slimy backroom deals where only those who know the right people will succeed 

• 60% of all employment is found via networking. [Source: Top Resume]

Often It’s not who you KNOW, it's about who KNOWS you, staying top of mind helps your name pop up more often when someone thinks <who do I know that can solve this issue?>.

Action ➡ Make a business case for YOU, and get comfortable talking about your strengths, starting online will help you be more proactive and polished in face-to-face situations. 

A good Kickstarter is updating your About Me section on Linkedin, practice makes progress. 

Need some inspiration? This recent article by William Arruda offers a how-to for crafting a great about section with real examples.

Myth: Networking is Only for People who Enjoy Social Situations 

Reality ➡ Networking is not always face-to-face

When you see someone post their opinion about the longevity of the all-remote workforce trend or share an article within a given <career/industry focus> or the next big thing in your professional ecosystem

Guess what?

THIS is networking. They are sharing the knowledge they have without expecting anything in return. 

"Networking” happens every time you engage online. When you share an insightful article, comment on a thought-provoking post, or offer a solution to someone's problem, you're networking. It's about consistently adding value to your professional community.

The digital landscape has leveled the playing field, allowing everyone to network in ways that suit their personality.

Action  ➡

Networking isn't just for those who thrive in crowded rooms. Start sharing content that tells others what your focus is, my easy go-to: share an industry article with your point of view  ➡  Add to the article something they may not have mentioned, or politely disagree based on your experience. 

Tip to help with reach - When sharing a hyperlink to an event or NOT LinkedIn article ➡➡My ‘leading play” take a screen capture of the article image and headline, write your thoughts and include a link to the article in the post or comment.

⭐ Especially helpful when sharing substack or similar.

The (A) image will stop the scroll 30% more often than the small (B) hyperlink to the article. 

Myth: Networking Only Happens When People Need Something 

Reality  ➡This couldn't be further from the truth. Effective networking is about giving as much as receiving. When you approach networking with a mindset of adding value, you create a foundation of trust and reciprocity that benefits everyone involved.

Action ➡ Start sharing content that tells others what your focus is, my easy go-to is to share an experience in your current or past role that helped you grow professionally, blindly helping someone else who may be navigating the same path or roadblock. 

Hint: Some of your first efforts may not light the world on fire, consistency wins the day, stick with it. 

Make a game of it - use this Content Bingo Card for content inspiration.

Myth: Networking is Only for Job Hunting

Reality  ➡ Networking is a long game and should be done throughout your career for the most impact.  

While networking can certainly help when looking for a new role, it's a continuous process supporting your entire career journey.

It keeps you updated on what is happening with former colleagues, informs you what is happening ‘inside’ your industry, can spark ideas on new career paths, and most valuable provides a sounding board for your ideas and issues. 

Networking is about building long-term relationships, not instant or constant gratification. Be patient and consistent in your efforts. The most valuable connections often develop over time.

Action  ➡ Reach out to someone you haven’t chatted with in a while for a face-to-face or virtual coffee, we all have busy lives, so you may have to reach out to a few people. 

Set a goal for yourself to connect with 6 people in 2025 - Staying up to date on their career growth could help you solve an issue or vice versa, after all, business is about solving problems. 

Too much? - Make a spreadsheet/database of everyone you have worked with and check in on their content activity, I use “one tab” browser extension to store these lists to quickly open a list of ‘people in the role I desire’ or ‘former colleagues to support’s to scan through. I also have a notion board/browser extension to quickly save for later retrieval.

If their content resonates give their post a “like” or better yet comment, it helps to promote goodwill, how is this bad? 

Reframing Networking

An impactful network isn’t something that will just happen on its own, deliberate effort to build one has immeasurable benefits. 

Your LinkedIn profile is more than just an online resume—it's a dynamic, powerful networking tool. It is a database of potential to kickstart your network growth.  

Stop lurking in the shadows of your feed. Engage with content that resonates with you. Leave thoughtful comments, share posts with your added perspective, and don't be afraid to start conversations.

Approach networking with a giving mindset. Share your knowledge freely, offer help where you can, and be generous with your time and resources.

Action ➡ Send a thank you note/DM to people who positively impacted your career just because.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all, leverage your strengths.

• If you're great at writing, focus on creating valuable content.
• If you're a good listener, excel at one-on-one conversations.
• If you fancy yourself good at video clips give them a try. 
• If you suck at writing speak your content into a voice-to-text app and convert it to text.

Networking, when done right, is simply about connecting with others in your professional sphere in a way that's mutually beneficial. It's not cringe-worthy—it's career-worthy.

The back-forth give-and-take is not a one-for-activity, build 'network credits' be known for sharing.

Don't let outdated networking myths hold you back. Take the first step today—reach out to someone in your network and offer value, no strings attached

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