Scared to meet new people? Me too. But, at the end of 2011, I will have added 48 new people to my network and strengthened relationships with 48 friends and family members. If you are new to my blog, you may not know that starting January 1st, 2011, I challenged myself to a networking challenge. Since embarking on this challenge 8 months ago, I have learned a lot about networking that I want to share with you. I have personally dealt with all of these barriers to networking and I know how hard it is to actually take action.
For the next 6 weeks, I am going to give you 5 things you can do to knock down your networking barriers every week! These are simple things and nothing that should take longer than 15-20 minutes. There are hidden opportunities waiting for you but you just need to make the right connections to find them!
“The idea isn’t to find yourself another environment for tomorrow, but to be constantly creating the environment and community you want for yourself, no matter what may occur.” – Keith Ferrazzi (Author of Never Eat Alone)
- Day 1: Write down your goals. Did you know that you are 95% more likely to achieve your goal if it is written down? If you go through the next 30 days with no clear goal in mind, you won’t be able to achieve anything.
- Day 2: Create a networking action plan. This month, each person that you talk to and each event you attend should be targeted. Ask yourself these questions.
- Day 3: Tell someone. Don’t do this alone unless you want to fail. Tell someone you know and trust so that they can hold you accountable.
- Day 4: Find people for informational interviews. Find people in your network that you want to learn more about. They may not have your dream job but could refer you to someone else who does. Follow up with people you met in the past at professional association meetings, classes and previous jobs. Get referrals from friends and family or contacts you can identify online. Make sure you read these 5 easy steps to an informational interview.
- Day 5: Block off time in your calendar each month to network. Set up certain times each week that you are free to meet with people in your network. For example, every Wednesday at lunch or every Monday after work.
See I told you it would be simple!
Please share in the comments if you are going to try 30 days of connecting! What connecting tips do you have?
Next, make sure you read Days 6-10 (CLICK HERE).
About Anna Runyan
I love these tips on networking! Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I’m your newest follower now
Hi Echo! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment! Glad you liked the tips!
Thank you so much for this blog. The tips are very useful !
But I have to admit … I’m stuck at Day 1 !!! I mean, I know what are my ultimate goals and what I want to achieve in the long run, but I have no clue what are the small steps to get there. I studied and got all the degrees needed but now what ? Every time I ask advice to people who do what I want to do, I’m being told things like : “It’s all about timing” or “You’ll find your own way” … but I wonder how to take action when I just don’t know what are the actions to take ! … Thanks for listening (well … reading!)
Hi Somateria, so glad you are finding the tips useful! I think that you definitely have to figure out your purpose and your big picture goal first. Then you can break it into smaller steps. I would recommend reading this article about finding your purpose first. By asking yourself questions like what would you do if you knew you could not fail or is there a cause or something you are very passionate about. Then, start trying to make goals to invest your time in those things that you love to do and that you have a purpose to do. Does that make sense? I think this sounds like a fabulous post idea for me to cover in the future! Thanks for the idea and for leaving a comment and feel free to let me know if I can help with anything else!
Thank you SO MUCH for your fast response. It truly helps and I’ll be glad to read your future posts! All the best!
Agreed with Echo! Very useful tips and I’m looking forward to stopping back for more (in a bit of a funk with my job and really need to move on). Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog earlier too. x
Thanks Kat! Hopefully the tips on my blog can help with the job funk:) Will stop back by your blog again soon! Have a great day!
Thanks a lot for sharing this excellent tips. Thanks again for this great help. Keep posting.
From. Rani
Hi Anna,
You are very brave and kind to share your networking journey with the world.
Networking is a tough nut to crack. It doesn’t come naturally for most people so it really helps to have the tips you are sharing.
What I especially like is the fact that you are sharing what you know works because of your own personal experience. You walk the walk, and don’t just preach it without practicing it.
Lately I’ve had some great progress on my networking through my online presence, but need to work a bit harder on my day to day personal networking.
Thanks again for the tips,
Bryce
Thanks Bryce! Networking definitely doesn’t come easy to me either but I have learned a lot that I love sharing with others (especially introverts like me!
I also need to work on networking with my online presence and I am looking forward to meeting more of my “online contacts” in person too! Thanks for the comment and for stopping by! I really appreciate it!
Anna
Hello My Friend its been awhile. This is Whos That Lady Music Show & fellow member of The Lady Bloggers Society.
I love reading the career advice blog. I am definitely going to take on the 30 Day challenge. Time for a new career change and why wait till the New Year to do that. Always best to do it now.
I’ll keep you posted!
Thanks again.
Sandi
Hi Sandi, Thanks so much! Glad you are enjoying my blog and are up for the challenge! Good luck! I am glad you aren’t waiting until the new year to start working on your goals and dreams. Thanks for the sweet comment!
Hi, this is a great post! Thanks..