How can you network to find Culture Change partners in publishing?

1 Identify your goals and target audience

Before you start networking, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and who you want to connect with. Do you want to learn more about Culture Change best practices, trends, and tools? Do you want to showcase your expertise and portfolio? Do you want to find new opportunities and projects? Do you want to build long-term relationships and trust? Depending on your goals, you will need to target different types of people, such as authors, editors, publishers, agents, consultants, coaches, trainers, or researchers. You will also need to tailor your message and value proposition to suit their needs and interests.

2 Research and join relevant platforms and communities

Once you have defined your goals and target audience, you need to find out where they hang out and how they communicate. There are many platforms and communities where you can network with Culture Change enthusiasts and experts in publishing, such as LinkedIn groups, Twitter chats, podcasts, webinars, blogs, newsletters, online forums, or events. You should research and join the ones that are most relevant and active for your niche and audience. You should also follow and engage with the influencers and thought leaders in your field, as they can provide valuable insights and connections.

3 Offer value and build rapport

Networking is not just about exchanging business cards or sending cold emails. It is about building meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships. To do that, you need to offer value and build rapport with your potential partners. You can offer value by sharing useful resources, insights, feedback, referrals, or testimonials. You can build rapport by showing genuine interest, appreciation, and respect. You can also use humor, storytelling, or commonalities to create a connection. You should avoid being too pushy, salesy, or self-promotional, as that can turn off your contacts.