Unlocking success through networking is easier than you think! 🚀
Here's how I did it years ago and not much has changed today
1) Start Small 🌱 Begin with your immediate circle. You'd be surprised how many connections you already have and people genuinely loved to be asked for their input on any ideas you want to float past them You can also offer them something of value or engage with them on a discussion they started on Social media for example.
2) Attend as many Events as you can both in person and online🎟️ Conferences, seminars, meetups, webinars. The more you attend, the more people you meet. One example is I find Alignable has some good "Smart connect " events and they are always free.
3) Social Media 📱 LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Alignable, Instagram. These platforms can be gold mines for making new connections but never spam people right out of the gate pitching your business. That is a big " No No ". Start by engaging in conversation like you just met them at a party..
4) Be Genuine and Authentic 💖 People can sense authenticity. Be yourself, Learn to listen to others and see what you can do for them first. I promise if you do this, the right connections will follow.
5) Follow Up 📨 Met someone interesting? Make sure to follow up. A simple email can go a long way or my personal favorite is a nice voice text saying how much you enjoyed the conversation and remind them of what you talked about especially as it relates to them.
6) Give Before You Take is KEY! 🎁 Offer help, advice, or introductions before asking for anything in return. It's a surefire way to build trust and that is why people will want to work with you. Everyone wants to work with people they know like and trust.
7) Stay Positive and upbeat 😊 Optimism is contagious and why would you want to talk about how bad things are. We have to always imagine the first impression you make is very significant- that is all they know of you at this point.
A Quick Summary
Start with your existing circle
Attend events and use social media
Be authentic and follow up
Give before you take
The power of networking is immense 🌐
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