How to Build an Awesome Professional Network

Mike Fishbein, www.mfishbein.com

Why Build Relationships?

Not just what you know or can do, it’s who you know.

It’s how the world goes around

Learn from people in your network who have experience and expertise.

How I learned

Not a lot of great content out thereAsking everyone I knowReading what I could findPracticing and experimentingMaking a lot of avoidable mistakesMeeting and building relationships with lots of awesome pople

My book

Business Networking: How to Build an Awesome Professional Network

StrategiesTactics

Everything I knowhttp://amzn.to/HdcYpl

Be Helpful

When people in your network get stronger, you get stronger

Per the law of reciprocity, people will be more motivated to return the favor

Share expertise, ideas, informationPromote your networkBe a connector

Build a Reputation

Be someone that people want to meetSomeone who is valuableSomeone who is helpful

If no one knows who you are, they can’t help you

Be visibleGo outside!

How to Be a Connector

What

"What makes someone a Connector? The first -- and most obvious -- criterion is that Connectors know lots of people. They are the kinds of people who know everyone. All of us

know someone like this. But I don't think that we spend a lot of time thinking about the importance of these kinds of people. I'm not even sure that most of us really believe that the kind of person who knows everyone really knows everyone. But they do." - Malcolm Gladwell

Be a Connector

Strengthen your networkWhy

Be helpfulBuild your reputationLaw of reciprocityCurationComfort

Be a Connector

Complementary supply/demand Meeting similar peopleWhen

Hiring/seekingFundraising/investingComplementary interests or expertise

Be a Connector

Mutually beneficial Double opt in Share bios, reason, and linksHow No obligation Email with both copied

Or, happy hour

Be a Connector

Connect with connectors

Relationships > Business Cards

Play the long gameStay in touchAuthenticityDig your well before you’re thirsty

My BookBusiness Networking: How to Build an Awesome Professional

Network

http://amzn.to/HdcYplLike, everything you ever wanted to know about networking

Thanks!Mike Fishbein

www.mfishbein.comhttps://twitter.com/mfishbein