Networking Magic: Turning Relationships Into Opportunities
Networking Alchemy: Transforming contacts into goldmines of opportunity
Revealing the Potential of Networking
In marketing and business education, there’s a well-known saying: ‘Your network is your net worth.’ What’s all the fuss about? We are often defined by our network, referring to who we know and how far our connections extend — having access to resources that have an immediate impact on your work and even personal life.
While there may be a handful of professions that seem to require no network at all, relying solely on individual skills, like an independent artist or a writer, the truth is that even these careers benefit from a network when it comes to opportunities and distributing their skills or work.
Unveiling the Importance of Networking
The value of a network can be likened to one’s professional experience. The alignment isn’t perfect. But it’s close enough.
Picture your network as a set of strings held in your hand. These strings extend in a chain-like manner, and the further they go, the harder you need to pull. To simplify, imagine you have five friends, and each of these friends has two more friends you’re interested in connecting with.
It’s easier to contact your close friends than to approach friends of friends. The strings are harder to pull because your credibility is already known to those in your inner circle, but it diminishes as you move outward.
When you’re pursuing a goal, such as landing a job, skills are undoubtedly important. Communication and other soft skills are often emphasized as essential. However, networking acts as a catalyst in every step of achieving that goal, sometimes even as the initiator. You could be a master in your field, but having access to a pool of resources and people can bring you closer to your goal.
It’s not just about acquiring skills; it’s about finding a place where you can use those skills and get paid for them.
My Personal Journey
In my first year of college, I secured an internship by reaching out to ten strangers every day and discussing topics I was passionate about. I got myself introduced to WhatsApp groups and then smoothly transitioned myself from having active conversations in the group to talking over phone calls, discussing ideas and ways to exchange value.
This may sound invasive or even creepy, but I had a filter in place. I joined groups of like-minded individuals and gradually built stronger relationships. It is important to notice that I can only choose to have active conversations when I am greatly intrigued by the topic myself.
I didn’t have a specific person in mind to reach out to or a set number of connections to make; that would have been a recipe for exhaustion. The key is to have genuine intent in the domain you’re trying to penetrate.
Networking is Not a Process
Let’s make one thing clear: Networking is not a rigid process with specific steps. There are no doors leading to a networking room.
Networking is the act of seeking out like-minded people, which can be challenging because they are often not found within your immediate circle, whether they are relatives or close friends.
When networking becomes a process involving niche selection, structured conversations, and predetermined topics, it becomes a bottleneck. Instead, envision networking as a woven conversation that doesn’t feel like a Q&A but rather a continuous, gradual unfolding of curiosity.
Initially, networking might appear as if you’re mainly focused on building connections for your own benefit. However, as you immerse yourself further in your chosen field and engage in meaningful conversations, you’ll find that people become more willing to discuss topics they believe you truly comprehend. Your natural curiosity will lead you to organically attract individuals who bring value to your network. Over time, this dynamic will evolve into a two-way street, where not only do you gain from these connections, but you also find that like-minded individuals are drawn to you, creating a mutually beneficial exchange of insights and opportunities.
Don’t be disheartened if someone rejects your ideas. Most networking conversations occur online, although in-person networking is more effective due to the ability to gauge presentation skills and form a better bond through physical touch, like a handshake, and visual cues, such as facial expressions.
As conversations progress, it becomes challenging to form first impressions because a glorified bio won’t help much in judging someone. This is a good thing.
When we meet someone offline, we are often judged based on irrelevant biases, such as their attire or fluency in English. It’s hard to get past this. To overcome them, make a clear statement of what values you bring to the table.
Let online conversations be like blind dates; some may ghost you or be awkward, but there’s little to no downside to this. If things go well, you’ll need to follow some guidelines to build a meaningful connection.
How to Network Effectively
While there are countless online resources and coaches offering courses on building a strong network, networking is a skill best learned through experience.
Everyone’s journey to making connections is unique because every person you talk to is a distinct individual. Conversations can take unexpected directions, and it’s hard to predict whether they’ll go smoothly.
Instead of adhering to a rigid process, which, as mentioned earlier, can be a bottleneck, here are some valuable tips to keep in mind to avoid making common networking mistakes and maintain valuable connections.
Tips for Building Strong Connections:
1. Create a Sense of Reciprocity: Offer resources and make introductions that simplify others’ tasks. Be selfless in your approach.
2. Master Communication: Clear communication is essential. Avoid confusion by effectively conveying your ideas.
3. Embrace Open-Mindedness: When conversing with strangers, keep an open mind. Assess their ideas from different angles. Be open to disregarding their opinions but only after thinking about them carefully.
4. Stay Present: Regularly remind others of your presence. Send simple messages like, “What have you been up to?” or share interesting content. People appreciate being on someone’s priority list.
5. Gradual Favor Requests: Avoid jumping into favor requests right from the start. Allow conversations to develop and deepen understanding before making requests.
By combining these fundamental networking principles with the tips mentioned above, you’ll gradually ascend the networking ladder, expanding and strengthening your networks. These networks will be there to support you when you least expect it.
The Universe’s Role in Networking
Life has a way of favoring those who contribute to its growth by creating more opportunities. When we go out of our way to connect with people who share similar traits and exchange value, we don’t always expect an immediate return.
Sometimes, it’s about being passionate about an industry and connecting with like-minded individuals. I’ve personally experienced how the universe can work in mysterious ways. In times when I needed a referral or had to contact someone for a specific reason, the exact person I needed would unexpectedly show up and recognize the value we had discussed.
The influence of these networks can range from small encounters, such as sharing a smile with a stranger at a coffee shop, to life-changing connections, like finding a long-lost twin or even a co-founder for your startup.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. You are a part of my network, and I value your support.
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