If you approach networking wondering “what can I get out of this,” you’re off to a bad start. Modern sales is about how to get your product into the hands of people it will help – networking is and always has been about how you can help other people. Yes, people with more robust networks tend to be more successful, find more business, and make more money. What many people are doing wrong is looking at that side-effect of networking as the main objective. Thus, they try and short-cut the fun part of actually meeting people, trying to get to the end as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Networking is not a workout, you are not lifting weights and running (meeting and greeting) so you can switch out pant sizes (income). Networking is simply about increasing the amount of value others get from your existence in the marketplace. If you increase the amount of benefit others get from interacting with you, you increase your marketplace value, which is later observed through increased business opportunities, influence, and cash flow.
In a buyer/seller transaction, the seller is the one making the profit. If you go into a networking opportunity looking for something to take, then you are the “buyer”. Instead, be the metaphorical “seller” and dispense the knowledge, connections, and expertise you’ve worked so hard to build.
So, go to an event targeted toward your area of expertise. Introduce yourself to someone and talk with them about what they do, what they need, and who they are. Get to know them well enough that it makes sense to reach out to them every so often just to stay in touch and see what’s new with them. Repeat as many times as possible. Forget the end result. Become valuable.
Trust me, you’ll see the returns eventually.
Here are a few resources for finding local events:
MeetUp / Eventbrite: Find local events targeted toward your industry or specialty
GeekWire / Vator: I work with a lot of tech companies, so finding industry-sponsored events are a great way to meet people with similar interests.
SOCAP: An international customer service professional organization, their events can really help CS professionals discover best practices and meet peers.
Now go help someone,
Taylor
taylorworth 