I have come to realize that the term ‘networking’ means slightly different things to different people. I randomly picked 4 definitions from 4 of my clients; Networking is:
- ‘Connecting with others to intentionally build sustainable relationships for specific purposes that are mutually beneficial’
- ‘Being able to meet someone, have a good conversation, build a personal relationship and sell your business ’
- ‘Meeting people and connecting with them for advancement for both people’
- ‘Going out for a planned event, talking to someone and exchanging contacts’
As I mentioned above, there are similarities in these definitions but also differences. Every one of them is right.
For me, ‘mutually beneficial’ is a phrase that stands out whenever I think of networking. I am going to dissect the definitions and get into more detail.
Connecting with others to intentionally build sustainable relationships
Here the word ‘intentionally’ sticks out. A lot of people think that to be good at networking, you have to be born with the ‘gift’. That is such a misconception. I used to be beyond terrible at meeting people. Anyone can become great at networking even if they are shy or introverted as long as they are intentional about it, as long as they decide to decide. Networking is about being deliberate and intentional. In fact, it is so much easier for a shy or introverted person to become awesome at networking than it is for a loud, outgoing, life of the party person but that’s a post for another day.
Another important word is ‘sustainable’…long lasting. Networking the right way should lead to mutually beneficial relationships that stand the test of time, this is where following up comes up, again, a post for another day.
Specific Purpose
Why do you network? Why are you interested in networking? What is networking going to do for you? How will it make your life better?
It is a really good idea to network with a purpose, yes, sometimes you randomly meet people and click, that’s great but it is even better to know where you are heading before you set out on the networking journey.
“Your purpose for networking and your networking actions should match for best results”
If your reason for networking is to make ‘fun friends’ then you’ve got to find out where the fun people hang out, or go for fun events and connect with the people that attend those events often. If your goal is to collaborate with the movers and shakers in your industry, then you’ve got to attend industry events and connect with the experts, you’ve got to find out where they hang out and go there. If your reason for networking is to get ideal clients, you’ve got to find out where your ideal clients hangout and connect with them there. If your goal for networking is to work with a brand then you’ve got to find out where the decision makers hangout and connect with them. I am pretty sure you get my drift.
I believe in quality over quantity, so right now:
- write down 2 people or two sets of people you want to connect with and start planning out your connection map. Secondly, start telling people you come across that you have always wanted to meet the people on your list and you may be surprised that you will come across someone that knows one or both of them.
Let me share a personal story; a friend of mine randomly told me how she had always wanted to meet someone for years and it turned that my cousin is married to that person’s nephew. Six degrees of separation,ey? If she never mentioned it to me, I would never know and I would never be able to help her. Which brings us to the second step:
- Start asking people the ‘Who have you always wanted to meet?’ question and reply with your own list when you are asked the same question. If you meet someone that wants to meet someone you know, connect them. That good deed will come back to you one way or another.
Knowing why you network also helps you work through the fear of people’s reactions. If you know how beneficial something will be, more often than not, the benefits will outweigh the fear/cost.
“Knowing why you network helps you work through the fear of people’s reaction.”
Mutually beneficial/ Advancement for both people
This is a big one. You do not want to be known as a leech, you do not want to be that person that walks into a room and people are wondering what you are going to ask for this time. For relationships to stand the test of time, they need to be mutually beneficial, if not, the giver is going to wake up one day and realize that the stress of the relationship is not worth it. Think about the person you want to connect with, what can you add to their life? It doesn’t have to be monetary; in fact, I hardly give people money. Most people don’t realize that a listening ear or time is a resource.
You may think that the other person has all the stuff in the world and there is nothing you can offer them, that’s a limiting belief. You are awesome and you always have something to offer weather you know it or not. Nobody knows everything, everyone you meet knows something that you don’t know and vice versa. Take a moment to think about that
“Everyone you meet knows something you don’t know and vice versa”
The Benefits of Networking - Why should you build your network?
Where do I start? There is so much that networking has helped me accomplish. People, I believe are the biggest resource ever and if you learn to connect with people from a place of positivity and love, the possibilities are limitless. I have done so much because of connecting with people, sometimes when I talk about stuff I have done, people ask me how many lives I have lived. I have worked in events, I have done sales and marketing, I have worked in fashion, I have worked in publishing, I have landed dream jobs, I have worked with Hollywood royalties, been in a room full of the best athletes in the world, attended exclusive VVIP events, all on a student’s budget all because of the people I knew.
Networking and being able to connect with people gives you leverage, you are able to get things you ordinarily would not be able to. That is the beauty of networking, that’s why I do it.
“With networking, you are able to get the things you ordinarily would not be able to”
Networking can help you:
1. Have a support system; be around and learn from mentally stimulating people
I learn so much and have so much support and accountability from my network, I talk to entrepreneurs from different industries, learn about the new things they are doing and think about how I can apply it to my business. I have support groups where we share tips that grow our businesses and personal lives, I am surrounded by goal focused entrepreneurs moving in the same direction, pulling and building each other up. I cannot quantify the value I get from my mastermind group and my entrepreneurship group. When you are surrounded by people who achieve things you want to achieve, you can find out firsthand how it is done and also get a possibility boost in the process, when you see your friend achieve something, it does not seem so far-fetched anymore.
2. Achieve your goals and dreams faster
Think about this for a moment; you go for an event and meet the biggest person/expert in your industry, you connect, this person becomes your unofficial mentor and you are able to learn things that would have taken you lots of money and years of trial and error to learn. You are able to connect with other influencers that this individual knows and learn from them and before you know it, you yourself are an authority because of the people and knowledge you are surrounded by.
3. Have more fun and become less boring/ improve your social life
By networking and attending networking events, you are able to make new friends and discover more fun stuff to do.
4. Boost your business- help you get more customers and raving fans, create and increase awareness for your business, get referrals
You can’t help someone you do not have access to. When you network and meet people that need your services, you can help them and when you help them, they become your raving fans. When networking is done right, it is a great way to create or increase awareness for your expertise or business, assuming you do not own a multinational corporation that has thousands of dollars and a department set aside for marketing.
“You can’t help someone you do not have access to”
5. Get invited for exclusive events
When you meet and connect with the people that go for or throw the exclusive events, you get invited to the exclusive events.
6. Interact better with people
The more you practice the right kind of networking, the better you get at the right kind of networking. If you’re wondering what the right kind of networking is or the thought of starting conversations scares you, you are not weird or alone and I’ve got covered, click here to get my awesome guide to starting conversations
7. Get better at interacting with fans, give you a confidence boost and validation for your work
I have met Artists and entrepreneurs that tell me they are terrible at relating to people and do not know what to say to connect with fans and clients even though they really want to. If you become awesome at networking, you will be able to connect with people that love your work, hear their personal stories about the transformation or value they have gotten from your work which will in turn give you a confidence boost and validate your work. You will feel absolute great about what you do and the help you provide, you will also be able to connect with people on a personal level, so when those sneaky thoughts of ‘Am I actually working?’ or ‘Am I actually making a difference?’ come up, you will be able to shut them down.
8. Collaborate
Networking can help you connect with people and build relationships with complimentary service providers or brands you have always wanted to work with and in the process collaborate or do a joint venture that will put your name out there. I have found people that bought into my vision and became business through networking.
9. Understand your clients
When you are able to connect with people that need your services or use your services, you understand their problems better, you get to know what you can improve, and you understand their limiting beliefs and things that are stopping potential clients from buying your product or service.
10. Stop missing out on opportunities
For this point, I am going to use two mini stories.
I had a client, now a friend who sends me the most awesome homemade brownies, She told me about how when she met a friend at a party and mentioned she was looking for a job, he told her to send her CV, she got invited for an interview and got a job.
One of the amazing people in my mastermind group also told me about how she landed an interview with a mega super star in her industry. She got invited to volunteer at a soup kitchen back in 2008, and became great friend with the organizer. A few years down the line, she wanted to assist with one of his projects and he introduced her to someone that shared their vision and boom! It was this awesome woman/industry leader.
I would love to hear from you. Hearing back from people that read my stuff and learn from it is one of the most amazing things that happens to me, so…go ahead and make my day. What was your biggest take away from this post?
