Are you networking with intention? Most people begin networking as an experiment. They usually begin by getting invited by a friend or associate, they settle in, they make a few good connections, perhaps a little bit of business comes from it, but for the most part it’s more of a social event that they could take or leave when business picks up. When you network with intention, with a purpose and a set goal in mind, you network at a whole different level and with a very different mindset.
That is what I want for you, I want you to network with intention.
- Know what you want from the time and effort you are willing to commit to your network.
- Know who it is that you want to meet.
- Know how you plan to connect with them and nurture your relationship.
- Know what you will give to that relationship.
- Know what you want from the relationship.
- Know what you will give in return to your network.
When we approach networking from a place of intention, from a place of knowing, we expand our perspective. We look at networking in a different light; we look at is as an opportunity to meet more people who can introduce us to more people and we look for opportunities and networks that will help us grow both professionally and personally.
Be intentional about how, when, and where you will network. Be intentional about who you will seek out, how you will follow-up, and how much time you will commit to building relationships with the people in your network. Understand what you want from your network and what you are willing to give to accomplish that.
What do you want…
- More business?
- More referrals?
- More power partners?
- More contact with humans?
- More education?
- More media exposure?
- More speaking opportunities?
- More good food & conversation?
When you know what you want you’ll be able to answer your connections when they ask you how they can help you. Know what you need help with and let your network help you, it truly is about helping one another.
As you evaluate your networking. Think about the people in your network. Think about how you’ve connected with them and how you see yourself working with them in the coming year.
- Is all the effort on your side?
- Are the people in your network understanding what you do and how you help your clients?
- Are they helping you find those clients?
- Are you helping them find theirs?
- Are they the right people with the right connections to help you grow?
If you’ve answered no to most of these questions, perhaps it’s time to look for a new network. That’s perfectly okay! Sometimes we outgrow our network, or our business needs shift and we are no longer connecting in the right places. Be willing to change with your business and get some new people to connect with.
Most important…be intentional about serving others without expecting anything in return, be hopeful but not expectant. It makes life and networking a lot more fun!
At 30 Second Success we help business owners, professionals, and sales teams identify your brand message for networking and for video. If you are struggling to find the words that describe your brand or need help figuring out your brand schedule a call today.