You are only as successful as your network.
I want to let that sink in…
Your network consists of contacts you have made and that you can call upon for help, guidance, and even as customers. The most powerful networkers know that it is imperative to continue to grow the network and to get outside the comfort zone.
How does a network help success?
1. Everybody is selling something. If you are a lawyer you are selling services. If you are a website owner you are probably selling products. If you are an employee you are selling your time. No matter what you are selling, by knowing more people you have an opportunity to advance your career through the leverage of these contacts.
2. Word of mouth is very powerful. Let’s say you need a referral to get into a new business, you can call on your network to help you out. Let’s say there is a friend of a network member who needs a service or product you sell, who do you think he/she will refer them to? If you want to get advancement in your career or even change careers, your prospects improve greatly if you know all the players in your field and they are part of your network. Any new opportunities are bound to come to you first.
You know how people grumble and say “the old boy’s network” or “it is not what you know it’s who you know.” These are true. But the truth is that anybody can be part of the network.
How do you join a network?
Join groups. Join clubs. Ask around and try to join the same groups that the people you admire are a part of. Some resumes may exist online and you can see what associations are the best to belong to. Some organizations exist for networking purposes, such as BNI. However, no matter what network you join, be prepared to pay some membership fees. You may have to work at it for awhile until you find the exact membership groups that really give you the success and power you are looking for. Some groups will be useless. Drop them. But don’t drop the people you meet. Try to bring them into your new circles of influence.
If a club or association doesn’t exist for what you are trying to target, create your own group. This instantly makes you the leader and expert. Then go around and find members to join. Make the group free, informative, useful and enjoyable. You will get more out of it than you can imagine.
