Networks are important
When you invest in relationships, professional or personal, life will pay you back in dividends. Many studies show that the more meaningful relationships we have the happier and more productive we are.
But there are also professional benefits. More connected people are also often more successful. The more connected you are the wider your support network is to troubleshoot problems, meet mentors, partners, clients and grow professionally.
Being connected to a strong network helps to keep a pulse on the job market, the industry or ways to solve problems that could be carried over to your industry.
But there are also professional benefits. More connected people are also often more successful. The more connected you are the wider your support network is to troubleshoot problems, meet mentors, partners, clients and grow professionally.
Being connected to a strong network helps to keep a pulse on the job market, the industry or ways to solve problems that could be carried over to your industry.
Maintaining your network
Before talking about growing your network, its best to take stock of your current network and how to improve what is already in front of you.
In thinking about your network it is best to make sure you are tending to your garden before you keep adding more seeds. You can’t expect to reach out to someone after five years of no communication and get them to drop everything and help.
You can expect someone you have been helping over the years and check in with every month or two to care about how you are doing and want to help.
In thinking about your network it is best to make sure you are tending to your garden before you keep adding more seeds. You can’t expect to reach out to someone after five years of no communication and get them to drop everything and help.
You can expect someone you have been helping over the years and check in with every month or two to care about how you are doing and want to help.
Gardening: Staying connected
Once you have made introductions and have your network, it is important to stay in touch. Think of this like watering the seeds that have been planted. With enough watering you'll be able to enjoy the fruits.
It is important not to look at your network like work, or a checklist. “Checked in with that person, talk to them again at our next annual check up.”
Instead be genuinely invested and present. When you reach out for a coffee or follow up with an article. Pause and be present. Remember where you left off, you don't want to have to start from square one every time--that's not very genuine. When sharing an article, be sure to explain why you think it might be relevant for them otherwise you didnt actually help them.
Utilize a notebook and recurring calendar events, or Popple can help! With notes history you can pick up where you left off. And with reminders to make sure your watering cadence is consistent.
It is important not to look at your network like work, or a checklist. “Checked in with that person, talk to them again at our next annual check up.”
Instead be genuinely invested and present. When you reach out for a coffee or follow up with an article. Pause and be present. Remember where you left off, you don't want to have to start from square one every time--that's not very genuine. When sharing an article, be sure to explain why you think it might be relevant for them otherwise you didnt actually help them.
Utilize a notebook and recurring calendar events, or Popple can help! With notes history you can pick up where you left off. And with reminders to make sure your watering cadence is consistent.
Fertilizing: Being generous
In networking and gardening, there is often a lot of giving before taking.
As you water and fertilize the relationship, ask questions to find out if there is anything you can do to help them with a project or career shift. Did they just finish a new book? Ask them if you can help in any way, with reviews or sharing.
Don’t limit yourself in how you can help. If you think “I build websites, if you don't need a website I can’t be of service”. You help less people and give away your skills. Instead think of your network, passion projects or other skills you might not charge for that you can share. For example, do you have carpentry skills you can help with a project or do they need a non-profit bookkeeper and you know just the person.
If you can't help them right away, it is fine to keep the ask in your back pocket. For example if they are a designer working as a barista, looking for contract work. Ask if you can keep them in mind for any new opportunities you hear. You might not be able to help right away, but should someone in your network be looking you can help two people. Having trouble remember who needs help with what? Popple can help you keep track of what people are working on and how you can help.
Think of helping out as building social capital, but make sure you aren't keeping score. Keeping score is a quick way to build a social contract that they will unknowingly be in breach of--leading to resentment. It is best to have no expectations for the help other than the satisfaction you are helping. You don’t know how these good deeds will be repaid.
Whatever you do, avoid asking for quick pro quo. “I shared your new book on instagram, would you mind sharing this new project for me?”. This comes off immediately as disingenuous and results in negative social capital.
At the end of the day you are building a relationship. Be open. If they offer to take you paddle boarding to their favorite spot, give it a try. You never know when they will try to help you out and it is best to not shoot them down if they think they are helping. Part of being generous is letting other people help. Part of growing is trying new things. Have fun with it and dont try to make everything fit into a neat box, you never know what help will look like.
As you water and fertilize the relationship, ask questions to find out if there is anything you can do to help them with a project or career shift. Did they just finish a new book? Ask them if you can help in any way, with reviews or sharing.
Don’t limit yourself in how you can help. If you think “I build websites, if you don't need a website I can’t be of service”. You help less people and give away your skills. Instead think of your network, passion projects or other skills you might not charge for that you can share. For example, do you have carpentry skills you can help with a project or do they need a non-profit bookkeeper and you know just the person.
If you can't help them right away, it is fine to keep the ask in your back pocket. For example if they are a designer working as a barista, looking for contract work. Ask if you can keep them in mind for any new opportunities you hear. You might not be able to help right away, but should someone in your network be looking you can help two people. Having trouble remember who needs help with what? Popple can help you keep track of what people are working on and how you can help.
Think of helping out as building social capital, but make sure you aren't keeping score. Keeping score is a quick way to build a social contract that they will unknowingly be in breach of--leading to resentment. It is best to have no expectations for the help other than the satisfaction you are helping. You don’t know how these good deeds will be repaid.
Whatever you do, avoid asking for quick pro quo. “I shared your new book on instagram, would you mind sharing this new project for me?”. This comes off immediately as disingenuous and results in negative social capital.
At the end of the day you are building a relationship. Be open. If they offer to take you paddle boarding to their favorite spot, give it a try. You never know when they will try to help you out and it is best to not shoot them down if they think they are helping. Part of being generous is letting other people help. Part of growing is trying new things. Have fun with it and dont try to make everything fit into a neat box, you never know what help will look like.
Fertilizing 101
Fertilizing Dos:
- Always Be Generous - How can you help?
- Keep the lines of communication open, reach out regularly.
- Be genuine and share thoughts, stories and articles.
- Be open. If they offer help, dont be afraid to say yes.
- Dont limit yourself on how you can help
- Dont keep score
- Dont do quid pro quos
Enjoying your garden: Leveraging your network
Now, you might be wondering with all this giving, how do I leverage my network?
Remember the staying in touch and being genuine step. People naturally want to help others. While connecting share what you are focusing on and what you are looking for. If you have built up social capital they should be willing to help.
After you have built up a good rapport and some social capital it will be ok to start asking for the occasional introduction. For example, after explaining a project or problem you are facing it is ok to ask “Do you know of anyone I should meet or discuss this with?” This comes across as you looking to solve your own problems but opens a door for them to assist. It also gives them an out if they dont know anyone or cant help, speaking about people in generalities, such as “I would ask a lawyer.” They may come away with a “let me think” and ask a connection of theirs if an intro is ok.
You can also bring problems to them and ask for advice as long as it is within their wheelhouse--otherwise use the phrase above.
In the end you are building your tribe or your professional board. It is ok to come to them for advice and guidance. To continue helping your own network and build out your tribe, continue adding people to your network.
Remember the staying in touch and being genuine step. People naturally want to help others. While connecting share what you are focusing on and what you are looking for. If you have built up social capital they should be willing to help.
After you have built up a good rapport and some social capital it will be ok to start asking for the occasional introduction. For example, after explaining a project or problem you are facing it is ok to ask “Do you know of anyone I should meet or discuss this with?” This comes across as you looking to solve your own problems but opens a door for them to assist. It also gives them an out if they dont know anyone or cant help, speaking about people in generalities, such as “I would ask a lawyer.” They may come away with a “let me think” and ask a connection of theirs if an intro is ok.
You can also bring problems to them and ask for advice as long as it is within their wheelhouse--otherwise use the phrase above.
In the end you are building your tribe or your professional board. It is ok to come to them for advice and guidance. To continue helping your own network and build out your tribe, continue adding people to your network.
Planting seeds: Meeting new people
Why meet new people? You never know when you will need your well, so build it before you need it.
You will never know when you will need certain relationships either. If for example your company is going through a specific problem, and you know someone in your network who can help you look like a hero. Or if you are thinking it is time to take the leap and change careers, having someone in your network to help makes these jumps less scary.
The best places to start are people with shared interests or connections. You have something in common, a place to start building the relationship off of.
The best place to start is introductions from your current network. Don’t be afraid to set up a problem and ask if they know anyone they could introduce you to. This includes your friends, dont exclude them when evaluating your network.
With networking events, keep these focused on shared interests. If you go to a young professionals or job seekers networking event you are likely to run into people who are either just starting their careers, looking for jobs or trying to sell you insurance.
If you are looking to launch a career in web development, attend meetups for certain programming groups. The shared interests give you a much easier foundation to build off.
You can also look for hobbies you want to dive deeper in, the chances are lower you will run into the exact people you are looking for but you will at least meet some new people with shared interest. You can then try to meet their network as well.
Don’t underestimate the power of a cold Linkedin outreach either. When you reach out, keep it simple and short.
At the end of the day, be present. You dont know who you will meet when or where. And don’t forget to maintain your garden. Popple can help through reminders to reach out and notes to help you pick up where you left off.
You will never know when you will need certain relationships either. If for example your company is going through a specific problem, and you know someone in your network who can help you look like a hero. Or if you are thinking it is time to take the leap and change careers, having someone in your network to help makes these jumps less scary.
The best places to start are people with shared interests or connections. You have something in common, a place to start building the relationship off of.
The best place to start is introductions from your current network. Don’t be afraid to set up a problem and ask if they know anyone they could introduce you to. This includes your friends, dont exclude them when evaluating your network.
With networking events, keep these focused on shared interests. If you go to a young professionals or job seekers networking event you are likely to run into people who are either just starting their careers, looking for jobs or trying to sell you insurance.
If you are looking to launch a career in web development, attend meetups for certain programming groups. The shared interests give you a much easier foundation to build off.
You can also look for hobbies you want to dive deeper in, the chances are lower you will run into the exact people you are looking for but you will at least meet some new people with shared interest. You can then try to meet their network as well.
Don’t underestimate the power of a cold Linkedin outreach either. When you reach out, keep it simple and short.
At the end of the day, be present. You dont know who you will meet when or where. And don’t forget to maintain your garden. Popple can help through reminders to reach out and notes to help you pick up where you left off.
Becoming a master gardener: Popple
Keeping track of your network, who is working on what projects, who need what help etc can be tough. Popple helps you keep track of the details that matter to build trust with your network and deepen human connections.
Popple offers notes to remember the little things and pick up where you left off. Popple also has custom and recurring reminders to help with follow up and remembering to water your garden.
Let us help you be a better networking superstar!
Popple offers notes to remember the little things and pick up where you left off. Popple also has custom and recurring reminders to help with follow up and remembering to water your garden.
Let us help you be a better networking superstar!