Build a Strong Network – With these 5 Steps!
We all know that one person who seems to know everyone who is ‘someone’. Every time they have a problem or need an advice, they always have someone they can call for help. Have you ever wondered how that person can be that well connected? Some lucky people are born with the innate ability to make friend with anyone you just met, but for everyone else, they have to work for it. For you who want to learn how to build a strong network, here are several strategies that you can try.
Put yourself out there
Try to find opportunities to be social anywhere you are. Initiate conversation with strangers and ask them about themselves. Be curious and polite. Most people enjoy telling a story about themselves. This might make you feel uncomfortable at first, especially if you are an introvert, but if you want to build a strong network, you have to get used to it. The courage to put yourself out there is the foundation to build a strong network. Start with a smile and simple questions, like where are they from, and follow up from there.
Find Shared Activities
Approaching strangers can be nerve-wracking, as you might have a hard time finding a conversation topic. Talking about the weather might get a bit stale after a while. Therefore, one of the best ways to meet people is by finding shared activities and common interest, like joining book clubs, sport teams, or volunteering activities. The good thing about this is that you will always have something to talk about, and you will be able to create a stronger bond with this common interest.
Focus on quality instead of quantity
Like almost everything else in the world, the quality of your contacts matter more than the quantity. It is not about how many business card you can collect in a day, but it is more about the depth of the relationship you can build with the people who matter. Focus on people who are the expert on their field or people who you feel might be able to help you the most. Another important thing to remember is to have diversity in your network. This means that your network need to consist of people from various background, age, occupation, ethnicity, etc. With this diversity, you will be able to experience many different point of view.
Remember to Give Back
Reciprocity is very important to build a strong network. It is not only about what the other person can do for you, but also about what you can do for him or her. Create a mutually beneficial relationship so that your partners will not feel like you are only taking an advantage of them. One way you can do this is by introducing one person to the other so that they can benefit each other. By doing this, you will be able to build a stronger connection with your network.
Maintain contact
After building your network, always remember to maintain contact. You do not want people to forget about you. With the widespread use of Social Medias nowadays, maintaining contact should be easy. You can use Facebook, Twitter to LinkedIn. Say hi occasionally and ask how they have been doing.
Do not give up easily
You might not always be successful in your approach. Some people might brush off your attempt at conversation and some might not react positively to you. Do not give up. Continue trying and reflect on your strategy. You might be too pushy or you simply just catch them in a bad time. Keep on trying.
To build a strong network, you will need plenty of time and effort. However, it will open up a whole lot of new opportunities and a chance to learn. Be sincere and genuine in all your effort and people will react in kind.
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