𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀

G. Steven, my partner in life. business and crime (okay not crime)  loves the quote, “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴.” This advice deeply resonates with me, it is so important whether you're actively job searching or settled in your career.

As someone who tends toward introversion, revisiting effective strategies not only helps others but also energizes my networking efforts. I need the constant reminder and push to step out of my comfort zone.  So, I thought I would share some of the strategies I have learned and utilized throughout my career.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴:

• 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆: Maintain contact by sharing updates, asking questions, or offering relevant content. This keeps your connections vibrant and meaningful.

• 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲: Look for opportunities to assist your contacts, whether it’s through insights, introductions, or resources.

• 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵: Customize your interactions based on the unique interests and professional goals of your contacts, showing genuine care.

• 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Connect people within your network who could benefit from knowing each other. This not only strengthens your network but also enriches the connections you facilitate.

• 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝘂𝗽: After meetings and conversations, always follow up with a message or note to reinforce the connection and continue the dialogue.

Effective networking is about creating lasting trust and respect.