Building a strong network is super important if you want to get ahead, whether it’s in your job or just in life. It’s not just about knowing a lot of people; it’s about having the right connections that actually help you reach your goals. This article, “6 Steps to Build a Network That Supports Your Ambitions,” will walk you through how to do just that.
Key Takeaways
- Give help and value to others without expecting anything back.
- Ask your connections for help and introductions when you need them.
- Talk to your online connections every day.
- Meet people in person instead of just online.
- Learn a new networking tip regularly and try it out.
1. Personal Goals
Before I even start thinking about who I want to meet and how they can help me, I need to get real with myself. What do I actually want? It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of networking for some vague notion of “success,” but that’s a recipe for feeling lost and unfulfilled. I’ve found that taking the time to really dig into my personal goals is the most important first step.
Here’s what I try to do:
- First, I spend some time alone, away from distractions. I grab a notebook and just start writing. I don’t censor myself or worry about making sense. I just let my thoughts flow. What makes me excited? What am I curious about? What kind of impact do I want to have on the world? I try to think about my personal brand and how I want to be perceived.
- Next, I look at my current situation. What am I good at? What am I not so good at? What resources do I have available to me? What resources do I need? It’s important to be honest with myself here. There’s no point in setting goals that are completely unrealistic.
- Finally, I start to connect the dots. How can networking help me achieve my personal goals? Who do I need to meet? What skills do I need to develop? What opportunities do I need to pursue? This is where the rubber meets the road. It’s where I start to turn my dreams into reality. I also think about relationship building and how I can nurture my existing connections.
2. Networking Goals
Okay, so I’ve figured out what I want personally. Now, I need to think about what I want from my network. It’s not just about collecting contacts; it’s about having a purpose. What do I actually want to achieve through networking? This is where I set some networking goals. These goals are like destinations I’m aiming for through my networking efforts.
I find it helpful to break these down into different timeframes:
- Short-term: What can I do in the next few months? Maybe it’s attending a specific industry event or connecting with someone at a company I’m interested in. I should build purposeful relationships with people who can actually help me.
- Medium-term: This is about building stronger relationships over the next year or so. Think about creating a community around a shared interest or really boosting my presence on LinkedIn. I can easily create networking habits with Tasks & Reminders that allow me to connect tasks to specific connections.
- Long-term: What kind of network do I want to have in, say, five years? Do I want to be seen as a thought leader? Do I want to have a really diverse network? Or am I trying to build a business using my connections? I should focus on constant network expansion towards a greater goal.
3. Network
Okay, so I’ve got my goals down. Now comes the fun part: actually building my network. It’s not just about collecting contacts; it’s about creating a supportive ecosystem. I need to think strategically about who I want in my corner and how I can nurture those relationships.
I need to be intentional about who I connect with.
Here’s how I’m approaching it:
- First, I’m defining my ideal network personas. What industries? What job titles? What kind of personalities? I’m thinking about who can offer me guidance, open doors, and provide different perspectives. For example, I want to connect with people who are experts in network expansion.
- Second, I’m actively seeking out those people. This means attending industry events (even if I’m an introvert!), joining relevant online communities, and leveraging LinkedIn to find and connect with individuals who align with my goals. I’ll also use the LeadDelta Sidebar to keep track of potential connections.
- Third, I’m focusing on building genuine relationships. Networking isn’t about collecting business cards; it’s about creating meaningful connections. I’m making an effort to engage in conversations, offer help, and show genuine interest in others’ work and experiences. I’ll also be sure to avoid overthinking my interactions.
4. Specific Measurable Goals
Okay, so I’ve got some ideas about what I want to achieve with my network. Now it’s time to get real specific. I can’t just say, “I want more connections.” I need to define what “more” actually means and how I’ll know when I’ve reached my target. This is where setting specific, measurable goals comes in.
I need to think about what success looks like. For example, instead of saying “I want to meet more people in marketing,” I could say:
- I will connect with 5 marketing managers on LinkedIn each week.
- I will attend at least one marketing-related event per month and exchange contact information with 3 new people at each event.
- I will reach out to 2 marketing professionals for informational interviews each month.
These are specific, and I can actually track my progress. Without this level of detail, I’m just wandering around hoping for something good to happen. It’s like trying to achieve big career wins without any direction. I also need to think about the quality of my connections, not just the quantity. Are these the right people who can actually help me achieve my ambitions?
5. Approach
Okay, so I’ve got my goals all lined up. Now comes the part where I actually, you know, do something. It’s time to figure out how I’m going to reach out and connect with people. This isn’t just about randomly adding folks on LinkedIn; it’s about being strategic and thoughtful.
Laying the Groundwork
First, I need to break down my bigger networking goals into smaller, manageable steps. Think of it like planning a road trip – you wouldn’t just hop in the car and drive without a map, right? I need to set some benchmarks for myself. For example:
- Connect with at least 5 new people on LinkedIn each week. I’ll focus on people in strategic networking roles.
- Attend one industry-related online event per month. This will help me meet people and learn new things.
- Reach out to 2-3 people in my existing network each week just to catch up. It’s important to nurture those relationships.
Being Intentional
It’s not enough to just do things; I need to be intentional about how I do them. If I want to build stronger relationships with people in a specific company, I should focus on:
- Finding employees on LinkedIn and sending them personalized connection requests.
- Looking for opportunities to develop relationships with hiring managers.
- Asking my network for referrals when I see job openings that interest me.
Adding Value
Networking isn’t just about what I can get from others; it’s about what I can offer them. I need to think about how I can add value to my connections. This could mean:
- Sharing helpful articles or resources with them.
- Offering to make introductions to other people in my network.
- Providing feedback on their work or ideas.
Basically, I need to be a good connector and a helpful resource. If I focus on giving, I’ll find that I receive a lot in return. It’s all about building genuine relationships, not just collecting contacts.
6. Track
Okay, so you’ve put in the work, set your goals, and started reaching out. Now comes the part where you actually see if all that effort is paying off. Tracking your progress is super important because it lets you adjust your approach and make sure you’re not wasting time on things that aren’t working. I know, it can feel like a chore, but trust me, it’s worth it. Think of it like this: you wouldn’t drive without looking at the dashboard, right? Same idea here.
Here’s how I usually go about it:
- First, I jot down how many new connections I’ve made each week. Are those business practices actually helping me grow my network?
- Next, I keep tabs on the types of conversations I’m having. Are they leading anywhere, or am I just making small talk?
- Finally, I look at the opportunities that have come my way as a result of networking. Have I landed any new projects, collaborations, or even just helpful advice?