What do you do if your attempts to build relationships with professionals in your industry are falling flat?

People are people. Relationships don’t differ too much by industry. If you’re not succeeding and building relationships, then most likely you have a personal blind spot you are not aware of. Building and maintaining relationships takes self awareness. Can you list out your five biggest personality flaws? And most importantly, would your three closest friends come up with an identical list? If not, then you have a self awareness problem. Most people aren’t going to tell you this harsh feedback to your face, so it’s up to you to be aware of them.

If attempts to build relationships with professionals in your industry are falling flat, consider diversifying your approach by seeking out new networking opportunities, refining your communication skills, and demonstrating genuine interest in others' work and expertise.

When I am having trouble building a client relationship, I always pause and think about my own intentions. If I enter the relationship with an intention of getting to know a client in order to help them succeed rather than to help myself succeed I can always build a bridge between us. If my intentions are to help myself (win a deal) the client will see through that and can choose to hold back and not make an authentic connection.

There are some good tips here but I’ll go ahead and play devils advocate… rethink your industry. Do you want to be a part of that community? Never be afraid to pivot.

Be honest, be genuine, be kind, but yet focused on the possibilities and should synergy spark enrroll yourself On ways to define reciprocity, relationships are give and take. Old traditional sales don’t work anymore, get creative, make it fun, meaningful, and go into it with no expectation. All the while, continue defining a consistent business solution, and make sure that you are building trust in the community. Just my .02 cents!!

One thing that I have found helpful when you are struggling to build relationships, is to change your approach. If the vast majority of people aren't receptive to what you are trying to accomplish, seek advice from a 3rd party that you know has success in building relationships. Try having lunch or coffee and not discussing business. Get to know the person you are trying to build a relationship with. Find common interests or shared experiences. Build a friendship. Business will come later.

Offer value without expecting anything in return. Invite someone to a networking event and listen to them. Share articles on something related to your niche. The little things matter the most when building a relationship. It speaks to your personality through kindness. You never know what you might gain from a connection.

Offering value with peers is often overlooked, yet so important. Value is not just what you offer in conversation, it is resources too. One simple way to do this is send industry articles about topics you talk about on conference calls, in meetings, or at industry events to peers you want to better engage with. This shows you value them as a professional and that you are willing to dive deeper with them on various industry topics.

Keep up the persistence and maintain your drive. Always maintain a polite and respectful tone in your follow-ups. Utilize Different Channels: If the email doesn't seem to be getting through, try reaching out through other channels such as phone calls or voicemails for a more personal touch.

I find persistent is best received with the offering of additional value. For example, if you have attempted to connect and have not succeeded, try emailing a cogent article or website that would be valuable to the person you are connecting with and ask if they would like to connect to talk more about how it may apply to a problem they frequently encounter in their industry. One piece of advise, however: Do not inundate them with meaningless internet chattel. Ensure the information pertains to their needs and is not some random blog.

If attempts to connect with industry professionals aren't succeeding, reflect on your approach. Adjust strategies by focusing on providing value to others. Be persistent in reaching out and expanding your network. Leverage feedback from interactions and consider additional factors such as broadening your horizons.

Will tend to fall flat if the professional relationship efforts are missing the personal touch. The term has a ship in it. Keep at it — Slow and steady — and just try to ‘be there’ (in the real sense of the word) and you’ll sail through.. together! ??

I understand that partnerships can be tough, but don't give up! Even if it's not the perfect match, it can still be a meaningful one that you'll always cherish. Remember, you're both working towards a common goal. Keep pushing through and stay positive!