How can you build a strong professional network as a self-employed consultant?

It is good to identify your goal to enable you focus on the proper way to achieve the goal. Your goal must be SMART and you you must work within the time frame for it to be achieved. Be focused and avoid chasing shadows.

Building a strong professional network as a self-employed consultant is crucial for business success and growth. Start by clearly defining your niche and expertise, ensuring you have a focused and compelling value proposition. Leverage online platforms, such as LinkedIn, to create a professional profile that highlights your skills, experience, and the specific services you offer. Actively engage with industry groups, forums, and communities relevant to your expertise. Share valuable insights, participate in discussions, and connect with professionals in your field. Seek out partnerships with other consultants or businesses that complement your services, creating a mutually beneficial network.

Goals must be written, otherwise they will be mere thoughts. Goals needs to be shared with others for collecting more inputs. Set targets , weekly, monthly etc and make consistent efforts on it.

In some cultures networking is misperceived as kissing a**es, but when you start identifying your goals clearly and share it with other parties, ensuring that it will be a mutual benefit relationship that will add value for both parties, then i ensure you it will be a long lasting. In addition to that you have to revisit your goals every now and then to fill the gaps and add new goals

As CEO , i's not about quantity, but the quality of your contacts. In your networks, you should have a few connectors who can significantly expand your professional reach. You may not attend networking events but are members of professional groups where you can discuss issues and challenges with your contemporaries, professional network that achieves success in your chosen field. Start with a Clear Networking Goal. Leverage Social Media Platforms. Attend Networking Events. Cultivate Existing Relationships. Offer Value to Your Connections.

1. Leverage social media platforms: Utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to connect with professionals in your industry. Engage in online communities, forums, and groups related to your field to build connections and share knowledge. 2. Participate in webinars and online courses: Join webinars and online courses related to your area of expertise. This can help you connect with other professionals and establish yourself as a thought leader in your field. 3. Offer value and share knowledge: Share your expertise and insights by writing blog posts, publishing articles, or giving presentations at industry events. This will help you gain visibility and credibility within your professional network.

What I have found to be helpful thus far, is talking about what you do with your friends and family. Meet as many people as you can through any social groups, events and employment, and connect with them on LinkedIn!! This is a fantastic platform to professionally display your talents, network and get referrals. Its also a wonderful way to have an interactive kind of resume that is more endearing and credible than just a resume PDF or posting on a job site. By the way, I'm not being paid by LinkedIn to say this- it's just the truth!

This is a good way to get started and be time effective, however there is something to be said for mixing online and in person. After Covid we crave connection more than ever.

Online platforms offer vast opportunities for networking as a professional. Below are a few ways one can leverage them effectively: Participating in Online Forums and Groups such as this one I am contributing to. Creating original contents and sharing same. Optimization of one's LinkedIn profile to showcase your expertise, experience, and services. Use of other Social Media Platforms besides LinkedIn, e.g Twitter, Instagram, or professional networks like Behance (for creatives) or GitHub. Participate or host webinars, online workshops, or live Q&A sessions. If possible, maintain an updated portfolio or website showcasing your work, services, and testimonials.

The abundance of online platforms offers a wide variety of opportunities to expand your network, connect with other professionals, and analyze domain trends. Experiment with different platforms to find the ones that suit you and match your style. Remember that each platform has its unique audience, and it might take some time to discover which one best suits your needs. Think about the values and messages you want to share on each platform, and adjust them accordingly to the specific audience.

1. Attend industry events and conferences: Attend conferences, seminars, networking events, and trade shows relevant to your industry. These events provide opportunities to meet and connect with professionals in your field. 2. Join professional associations or organizations: Join industry-specific professional associations or organizations that offer networking events, workshops, and other opportunities to connect with like-minded professionals. 3. Attend local meetups and workshops: Participate in local meetups, workshops, and networking events in your area. This allows you to connect with professionals who may become your clients or refer you to potential clients.

Trust level increases when people are able to place a face and person to your name and online presence, therefore, it is imperative to attend seminars, events and workshops to build on relationships. This helps one to have a solid professional network that can stand the test of time.

Start following local politicians ! They are the best examples to learn the tricks of networking. Their connections are very strong and fruitful.

Relationships can be nurtured and grown by staying in touch with contacts via their preferred mode of communication which can be email, text messages, phone calls or even social media platforms. Keeping in touch makes its easier to get assistance or collaborate with others when it is required in future.

In the words of Ryan Serhant: follow-up, follow back, follow through. Keep track of your opportunities and follow up regularly and if their situation ever changes.

Don't be perceived as someone that only wants to take from others. Ensure the relationship is a win-win for you and the other person, that way, others don't feel or see you as a burden.

I agree that is really a core value in networking, it makes you at ease dealing with others on personal and professional basis, matching your alike minds will help you grow faster and reach new milestones.

Some people have a mathematical statement: Networking = Marketing = Sales (That's why some people hate networking) However, I strongly believe that networking is not necessarily marketing or sales. Although everything ends up being a sale, here are some examples: 1) You're looking for a job; you're selling yourself. 2) You're looking for another researcher to prepare an academic article; you're selling the article's idea. 3) You're hiring; you're selling the company so people may show interest. One exception to the rule could be when you create a network to buy specific products. In that case, you also need to sell the idea that you can be trusted by vendors so they might sell such items to you. What do you think?

- Attract ideal clients by honing your expertise and value proposition. - Share insights on LinkedIn, join relevant groups, and actively engage. - Attend events, join associations, and build real-world connections. - Offer free consultations, articles, or webinars to showcase your skills. - Stay in touch, provide referrals, and be genuinely helpful.

The easiest way to attract clients is to present them with a clear value proposition. "With my advice and support, we will be able to drive 20% growth on your social media channels." Sometimes people need you to be blunt and paint the picture for them.