6 Steps for Building an Amazing Network
Have you ever wondered why it is that two equally great ideas can have two entirely different outcomes? Hard work, dedication, and great ideas are all necessary in any new business endeavor, but they are not enough in and of themselves; often, what separates success from failure in the startup world is the personal network available to the entrepreneur. Many businesses have great ideas but the network is the fuel needed to accelerate growth, find leads, and connect with investors. Luckily, we all have free access to some of the most powerful networking tools. All you need to do is learn how to use them.
1. Slack
Slack’s primary use is streamlining communication within businesses or teams. However, Slack has another very common use; communities have been popping up all over the world based on interests or goals. These communities providing networking opportunities, feedback, and even chances to pitch to investors. Hamsterpad is the largest directory of Slack chat communities and an amazing tool for community discovery. Becoming a regular contributor to a slack community can boost your online potential for blog mentions, social media shares, and viral content. And it doesn’t take much time or effort to drop into a few channels every couple days to see what other users are doing. Provide genuine and honest feedback to gain the same in return.
2. Travel
Among the many advantages of traveling is the ability to meet people from all around the world. Hostels in particular are full of young, ambitious travelers that tend to be quite active on social media. So while they may not be potential investors or co-founders, they can be huge for your social media strategy. They often have thousands of followers who all look forward to their daily travel photos. A mention by one of these influencers can put your product in front of thousands of new customers for free.
Additionally, there are many hot spots for entrepreneurs (India, Thailand, Barcelona) and the individuals in these communities are a wealth of knowledge and insight. They work in small teams and are often found in cafes working for many hours at a time fueled by coffee.
3. Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces are the offices of the next generation of startups. They provide everything a normal office can without the massive costs. They are also a great place to network since the crowd is made up of other passionate entrepreneurs working on their projects. Coworking spaces can also have employees from larger businesses. In my travels, I’ve met folks from Google, Qualcomm, and Spotify all open to discussing projects and the latest news from their space. The great thing about entrepreneurs is that they are always excited about new ideas and readily provide feedback on your projects.
4. Social Media
While social media is a way to keep in touch with people you’ve met traveling or in coworking spaces, it can also be a way to find influencers or investors with common interests. That way you can introduce projects or ideas to those who share common goals or ideas within that space.
The most important thing to remember in any social media platform is moderation. Nobody wants to be spammed by entrepreneurs begging for investment or support. Instead, find opportunities to fit your project naturally into conversations. Share others ideas and projects. Promote yourself in an offhand way but promoting others like you and occasionally squeezing in a mention of your site or latest article. Klear is a really powerful tool that can help you identify influencers on social media and allows for smarter networking.
5. Events
At any given time there is a startup event somewhere in the world with a host of investors, incubators, expert panels, and networking opportunities. From Collision Conference to Launch Festival in the US to DNX globally, these events have a huge concentration of entrepreneurs and developers who are looking for the same things as you; growth opportunities, networking, and showcasing their projects. Be receptive to theirs and they’ll be receptive to yours.
6. Volunteer
Non-profit organizations are always looking for volunteers. Not only will you meet people, you will support a great cause. It’s even possible to find opportunities to add to your portfolio or resume at the same time. Find a local non-profit with a website in desperate need of a modern upgrade and offer to do it for free. Provided you do a great job, one day of web design could get you referrals for more freelance work. Contact a local non-profit today and offer your services — I’m sure they will be thrilled.
In the end, relying on LinkedIn for maintaining your network is not going to cut it. If you want to disrupt a market, introduce a new product, or build something truly innovative, the idea itself will remain static without the dynamic influence of a network. Networks are critical for gaining momentum and getting your idea out into the world. They are the most powerful tool at your disposal, and in this age of instant communication, it has never been easier to connect.
