Think about …. your favorite people, your most cherished friends, your most valuable professional contacts. How did you develop these relationships?

The “secret” to successful networking isn’t a secret. It’s about building meaningful relationships, over time, with multiple points of contact. Networking isn’t a one night stand. Here are 3 hot ways to nurture your contacts, and keep the love alive effectively, and authentically, for the long term.

Get together. In person. Face to face. Focused.

You’ll accomplish more by organizing a 30 minute coffee in person, than by sending 30 emails back and forth saying “we should get together….” until one of you retires … or cuts off their internet.

When it’s impossible to meet IRL due to distance or other reasonable factors, use a video app, and make it count. Focus on the interaction. Think about this: how do you feel when someone is looking at another screen, down at their phone, or multi-tasking while talking to you? I find it disrespectful, unprofessional and a waste of my time. That’s a big red “buh bye” flag for me.

So while tech tools can be useful, we need to use them effectively. And we all need more face time, multiple times.

Play Matchmaker by making warm introductions among the people in your network. Be sure to get consent first, with a “double opt in”. Ask each one if they would like to be connected to the other, with a brief explanation of why you think they’ll find it valuable to connect. Also ask how they prefer to connect: work email, personal email, LinkedIn DM, or even text. Then make the match.

You can make the intro virtually, then let them do their thing. OR for even more meaning and impact, you can facilitate the introduction in person, and see the sparks fly.

For inspiration, read Networker, Networker, Make Me a Match.

Invite someone special from your network to join you at a networking event, or cultural event. It’s called “going out together” for a reason.

For even more dramatic effect, combine networking and the arts. I often organize networking events around comedy shows.* Did you know that even Hamlet went to networking events?! Read Hamlet Attends a Network Event.

If you want to experience your own transformation into a confident, connected fireball, let’s talk. We’d love to work with you and your team too.

ps: * if you want details and invitations for upcoming networking events, comedy shows, and special programs - you’ll need to stay on this mailing list.

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🙄 Say Goodbye to awkward elevator pitches, boring bios, and stressful small talk. 

🤗 Say Hello to effective, authentic, fun (and funny) techniques to help you succeed.

🔥 Schedule a call. Fireball Network delivers coaching, consulting, training, speaking, and event services. We’d love to work with you. Let’s talk.