Linkedin part 2 build a stronger network

Do THIS In the Next Day, Week, and Month for a Stronger Network

05	Jun
	2012

Business Networking

I’ll be joining Reid Hoffman – and you, if you register! – for the Social Capitalist this coming Tuesday, June 12, at 12:30pm ET. Everyone on the call will leave fired up with new ideas to build their network, online and off, and I’m sure we’ll get some good stories from Reid. To warm you up, here’s Reid’s advice from The Start-Up of You on the most important things you should do to invest in building the strength of your network: In the next day:

• Look at your calendar for the past six months and identify the five people you spend the most time with – are you happy with the influence those five people are having on you?

In the next week:

• Introduce two people you know who do not know each other. Make sure the intro will be useful to both sides…. Then think about a challenge you are dealing with and ask an existing connection for an introduction to someone who could help. Jump-start the process by offering a small gift (such as a relevant article) to the person you want to meet.
• Imagine you got laid off from your job today. Who are the ten people you’d email to solicit their advice on what to do next? Reach out to them now, when you don’t need anything specifically.

In the next month:

• Pick one person in your network who is a weaker tie but with whom you might like to have a stronger alliance. Commit to trying to help him or her proactively by giving small gifts. These can be anything from sending the person an interesting article to helping them prepare for a presentation to forward a job posting. Invest serious time and energy in the relationship over several months.
• Create an “interesting people fund” to which you automatically funnel a certain percentage of your paycheck. Use it to pay for coffees, lunches, and the occasional plane ticket to meet new people and shore up existing relationships.

Have you read Reid’s book or tried any of these missions?