Secrets to Strategic Networking

Is your network working as hard as you are? Considering that networking is relationship building, who you know and how they know you is a strategic and intentional part of your professional growth and career success.

A network of viable contacts is critical in today’s competitive business climate. Your network serves not only as lead sources for new business, but also as a sounding board, support system, cheerleader, news source and industry expert. Your network is the “circle of influence” that will guide you through your career, if carefully planned and managed.

These are some insights from a personal branding perspective to build a great network of contacts: 

Strategic Networking takes the randomness out of meeting people. When I advise executives on building strategic and intentional relationships, the focus is on mutual benefit, opportunity to add value, and seeing beyond just the transaction. 

Why leave something as important as your contacts and relationships to chance? 

• Should you just “hope” that you will know the right people? 
• That they will just be able to figure out what makes you relevant and compelling? 
• And that by some cosmic osmosis they will think of YOU when a great opportunity arises?

Instead, approach your intentional networking strategically. Ask yourself:

•  Who do I know?
•  Who do I need to know?
•  How will I meet them?
•  What do I have to offer them?

How can I help my key networking contacts understand what makes me compelling and relevant? How will I provide them with information, insight, and the tools to refer me to ideal opportunities?

The art of building mutually beneficial and rewarding professional relationships means you show up authentically, ask for help, offer yourself as a resource, and much more.

Your networking strategy should always highlight your value to the person with whom you are connecting.

Does it matter if your network considers you a “nice person” versus a thought leader with passion for information technology applied to K-12 education? You bet it does! Nice people get invited to backyard barbecues, birthday parties, and movie premieres. Thought leaders in their industry are included in critical conversations that move an agenda forward.

When considering how to articulate and promote your value proposition, begin by getting clear on what you can offer, who needs that offer, and how you can communicate your offer authentically so as to create action and interest from your network.

Some questions to ask yourself:

• Have I found “my voice?”
• Am I able to articulate my value proposition?
• What’s my elevator pitch? Can I explain what I do and how I am different/compelling and provide an example of my value in a 30 or 60 second pitch?

You need to be visible and top of mind with your contacts. Life is too busy for most people to expect they will remember you if a great opportunity arises for you. Instead of leaving your fate to chance, create a system for remaining top-of-mind with key contacts, reminding them of your offer, value, and resources, and continue to provide value to your network of equal or greater value than they give you.

Consider:

• Am I showing up in the right places?
• Am I showing up in the right way?
• Has time passed since I last contacted my network with either a suggestion, article of interest, or offer?

As you begin to enhance your network of contacts, consider that everyone you meet will potentially enter your network. If strategically managed and nurtured, your network can become a valuable part of your personal brand arsenal, allowing you to enhance and advance your reputation and career. 

Join me on July 6 at 12:30 pm EST here on LinkedIn, for a LIVE 30min session, where I'll be sharing more action steps to strategically network and grow your career.