Connecting Far and Wide

You likely have two specific networks in your life. The first of these networks is your In Real Life (IRL) network. The second is your Virtual social networks, unless you are not using social media.

Growing these individual networks and allowing them to organically overlap, where relevant and possible, can amplify your successes in life, career and business.

Whether in real life or on social media, consistently expanding your network will provide significant value. However, you can’t ask people who don’t know you to connect. This is unacceptable and often will fail. So how do we grow our connections beyond the people we know today.

It’s really quite easy. Here are three ideas that work well:

1. Get out of the house or office and say hello to strangers. Here are some places you can meet new people:
   • Shop in a different grocery store
   • Eat lunch at a different restaurant
   • Go to a different coffee shop in the morning
   • Sit in a different pew at church
   • Sit in a different table at your social group
   • Walk around downtown
   • Visit a different church
   • Have lunch on a park bench
   • Go into the bank to make a deposit instead of using the ATM
   • Go to a friends party
   • Attend industry events (volunteer if they need help)
   • Join a book club, wine club, men’s or women’s group
   • Volunteer at a local civic event
2. Ask your current network for ideas of new people to meet.

1. Make sure they know your purpose. It should be to grow your network and discover ideas for business &/or career, not to sell something or ask for a job.
2. Be mutually beneficial. Even if the person you are talking with can’t introduce you to someone, offer to help them however you can.
3. If possible get your contact to introduce you in person. If via email have them copy you on the message.
4. Follow up immediately on any introduction made on your behalf.
5. Use the Dale Carnegie Principles and make the conversation all about the other person.
6. Never ask for anything of your new connection. You need to have some level of a relationship before you can ask for any favors.
1. When possible let your IRL network and your Virtual networks merge.
   1. When you meet someone in person, ask for their business card so that you can follow up with them on any relevant conversations.
   2. For every business card you collect look for your new contact on LinkedIn. Send them a LinkedIn connection request and than them for the previous conversations
   3. As you connect with people on LinkedIn, look for ways to meet your connections in real life. At least via a phone call

Connecting far and wide, meeting new people on a regular basis is a great way to build strong rewarding networks. My simple rule is this, Meet someone new every single day of your life.

If you want more ideas regarding networking read these two books:

Networking for Mutual Benefit

Success using Social Media

LinkedIn is a great way to grow a strong network.

If you want to learn how to use LinkedIn, check out my LinkedIn Coaching Program

* This post was written by Career Confidential LinkedIn Expert Teddy Burriss of Burriss Consulting, Inc.  Follow Teddy Burriss on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook to learn more about his Social Media Coaching and Career Transition services.