4 Ways Startups Can Build Their Networks

In business these days, it’s all about relationships: making new ones, rekindling old ones, maintaining current ones. I’ve clocked in a few years as a marketing consultant in the Bay Area after the bulk of my career was spent in corporate environments that are very different from the startup scene. Startups have created an ecosystem that is unique, but I appreciate what I see at the core of this environment: if you have a great idea, go forth and make it happen.

Still, there is some carryover from old school ways of networking that I think some startups have forgotten about, are ignoring, or about which they were perhaps never given the heads-up. Here are 4 simple pieces of advice I put together over the course of my transition from corporate to the new economy. If they seem obvious, challenge yourself by seeing how you can do things even better.

1. Don’t just take. Give, too.

A bootstrapped startup needs all the help they can get from their friends, family and colleagues: they need information, contacts, money, personal support, encouragement and much more. But startups, how are you paying it forward? Are you also sharing information with others outside your network? Are you mentoring other entrepreneurs, or the young folks in the community where you’re based? How does your company give back? Without the help you’ve received, who knows where you’d be? Do someone a solid: pay it forward.

2. Be kind.

Congratulations on the incredible product/service/brand new way of doing things that you created. I know you’re this close to world domination, which makes now a great time to extend simple and random acts of kindness. You know why? Because no one knows better than you how much relationships matter. You never know when you’re in the presence of a potential customer, client, vendor, or partner. We’re all human, we each have strengths and weaknesses. Things are crazy enough on this planet right now, let’s be nice to each other.

3. Pay for services rendered. Seriously.

I know that sometimes in business you gotta do what you gotta do to get ahead. But I can tell you, both from my own experience and those of many of my freelancing friends, that there’s an odd mentality among some that paying full price for goods and services, or any price at all, isn’t always necessary. This is just plain wrong. Being a boss doesn’t mean you have been granted the power to mess with other people’s livelihoods. If you’re not happy with how a job turned out, don’t just decide you’re not going to pay — be an adult, discuss it with your vendor. If you need a job done but actually can’t afford it, don’t leave your vendor chasing you for payment — speak up and try to work out alternative options. Be professional, be cool, be honest about your situation — it will go a long way. If you start your company out by screwing people over, word will definitely get around.

4. Say Thank You.

A few months ago, a guy sent me a cold email reaching out in search of some industry info and a desire to build his network. I didn’t know him at all but he seemed like a nice person, so I shared some insight and a few contacts with him. The next time I heard from him was a few days later when he sent me the loveliest thank you email. It made my week knowing I was able to help someone and that my help was appreciated. So guess what? If he hits me up in the future with a question or an ask, I’ll absolutely help him again in whatever way I can. In this day and age where it can truly take mere minutes to draft a quick note via email, there’s no excuse for not taking the time. People appreciate such gestures, and always remember. Plus, they may be a resource for you in the future — you never know.

Business changes in ways that sometimes make it hard to keep up, but if there’s one thing that people seem to appreciate no matter their title or paycheck, that is integrity. Steamrolling and dismissing people in the early days doesn’t prove that you’re running things, but it does make it difficult to find vendors to work with you, employees to work for you, and customers to buy from you. Make smart decisions today because how you start your business sets the tone for the future.