You're trying to build your professional network. What's the best way to get started?

I believe it's super important to build out your value-based messaging BEFORE you invest in networking. Too often we see people invest a lot of time into networking but leave those they connect with helpless to help them. Creating something compelling and memorable about your value lets them know where you are a great introduction and who you can help!!! Also, have a couple of questions that pull this out of the other person so they know you are looking out for them as well!!! Also, it shouldn't be complicated. Mine, for example, is "I help people make great hiring and career decisions." This leads into conversations where I'm able to add the most value. How do you share and make your value memorable?

Here are my thoughts: Leverage LinkedIn: Build your online presence and update your profile regularly College/University: Join alumni group Social Networks: Plenty of networking groups outside of the workplace to join Be strategic with who you network with. Keep your network large and wide (b/c you never know where next opportunity will come). Be open minded. Lastly, don't make networking a job. It tends to happen organically especially if you are continuing to put yourself out there.

To build your professional network, start by setting clear goals. Create a solid online presence on LinkedIn, join industry groups, and attend networking events. Connect with alumni and leverage your existing contacts. Engage in discussions on social media, volunteer, and attend workshops. Focus on building meaningful relationships, not just collecting contacts. Follow up after meetings and stay in touch regularly. Join professional associations and explore niche online platforms. Keep it simple, be genuine, and be open to giving and receiving help within your network. Networking is an ongoing process, so stay active and engaged.

Sharing valuable content on social media helps establish my presence, and I make sure to attend networking events, seminars, and workshops to expand my connections. I define my goals and target industries, creating a standout LinkedIn profile with a professional photo and detailed experience. I connect with colleagues, and professionals in my field while engaging in relevant group discussions to showcase my expertise. Embracing varied perspectives and experiences enriches my network, contributing significantly to my professional growth and career development. This strategy ensures a well-rounded and robust professional network.

Start by identifying your goals and target industry. Attend relevant networking events, join online professional platforms, and don't hesitate to reach out to people with personalized connection requests. Building relationships through genuine conversations is key.

LinkedIn is a very useful platform to reach out to the industry professionals and get the best learnings out of their experiences and teachings over the platform.

Beyond online networking, real networking happens face to face - 1 - Attend meetups, connect with people in breaks & over coffee 2 - Attend industry events, exchange ideas & updates 3 - Go to company hosted events, where you not only know about new products but also connect with the people 4 - You can attend networking breakfast & dinner events to connect while having fun 5 - Lastly, see all the communities where your target people visit often, you can be member of that community These places will help connect you with industry gems! Try & test!

Quality connections, not quantity, hold the keys. Look for champions - those who share your values, goals, and spark of passion. Industry blogs, podcasts, events, even alumni networks teem with potential mentors. Leverage your existing connections for warm introductions. Remember, a genuine conversation holds more weight than a generic application. Invest in building bridges, not just sending boats.

Agreed but mostly fake advertisements just get ratings and likes and to increase network. Job seekers comment on that fake post and also hit like.

Here are a few ways to get started: 1. Seek out industry thought leaders and key influencers in your target field. Follow their work, read their publications, and engage with their content. Take note of talking points to bring up when you reach out. 2. Join and actively participate in online communities related to your field, such as LinkedIn groups, specialized forums, and subreddits. Network, seek advice, help others, and establish your presence in the community. 3. Attend workshops, webinars, online courses, and local networking events relevant to your goals. Connect with experts and peers who share your interests.

I am a big believe in networking should always be a two-way street. As much as somebody can potentially help you, it's important to find ways you can help others, too. Be intentional with those you make connections with. LinkedIn is an amazing tool to both research and reach out to others. Find commonalities between yourself and others and send a thoughtful and personalized note. Building a professional network is an ongoing process that requires consistency and effort. Stay active in your networking efforts by regularly attending events, engaging with contacts online, and nurturing relationships over time. Networking has changed my life and I highly suggest it to others!

Look up people who you have common backgrounds with, such as college / universities, former employers, etc. Mention the common affiliation in your invitation to connect, and make the invitation all about them. The only ask in the invite should be to Connect on LinkedIn. And for people who have the FOLLOW button, click on MORE and look for the option to "Connect" or "Personalize Invite."

When reaching out to someone, it's important to be brief and make the process as easy as possible for them. Send a note that's simple, uncluttered, and easy to read. If they agree to chat, send them the Calendar invite and try not to rely on them to coordinate all the details. I've realized that those smaller details can go a long way when networking.

Each time I send a connection request it always starts like this: Hey NAME, How are you? I'm reaching out to you today because I came across your profile and am impressed with 1.) Where they work 2.) Causes they're interested in 3.) Projects they have completed Pick 2-3 things you find interesting about them and then at the end insert your reason for wanting to know more. It's always best not to ask for something straight away, make it about them initially, and then work your way around to arranging a call, meeting, or asking for a referral. This approach will make it much easier for people to want to engage and say yes to what you want.

Be genuine when you reach out to someone and lead with a compliment or invitation: often these smack of having ulterior motives. Instead, come from a place of service without expectation of anything in return and begin to develop a relationship based on trust and mutual benefit.

Staying connected is important if you want people to respond to you. When you share something ask for feedback- Feedback is a gift! Create interesting posts that engage your network- tag people if they are involved or would be interested. Most importantly keep the conversation flowing in a positive direction.

Find a way to track your most valuable relationships and continue to nurture those. Even simple steps, like commenting on their posts and liking their comments can continue to keep you in their world and connected.

Don't just reach out when you need something. That's transactional and will turn people off. Staying connected is easy and takes a small amount of time. It can be as simple as wishing people Happy Birthday, Father's Day, Mother's Day, [insert your holiday here], etc. Be helpful. Send articles and book recommendations you know they will be interested in. If you stay connected and helpful, you'll never feel awkward reaching out when you need help.

Sending a thank you message is the first step into building a rapport with anyone that takes time out of there schedule to have a conversation and provide career advice. In the thank you messages, I would recommend asking if it is okay to set up a recurring communication to build rapport with your new connection. Coming to each conversation with an agenda of topics to talk about will also help to keep the rapport to grow.

Networking is all about the interaction versus the transaction (as a friend once shared with me!) How you follow up gives a nod to how important the relationship is to you. Thank the person for their time, and also cite something they shared which was of value for you. Over time, keep them posted on your progress, and especially where you "land". People love to help, and especially want to know how they have helped.

By expanding your network to diverse groups you will expand your network and opportunities exponentially. You never know who you will meet at a volunteer event or a workshop that is for a diverse group of people.

This is critical when pivoting. Careers are sticky. It can be hard to break out to new areas. If you are making a shift in occupations you need to also diversify your network. This means looking for new circles and communities that align with your next steps.

Expanding and diversifying your network is a dynamic process. Your approach of joining both online and offline communities, attending events and webinars, volunteering, and participating in courses or workshops is highly effective. These activities not only broaden your network but also enhance your skills and knowledge. Additionally, leveraging your existing contacts for referrals or introductions is a smart way to connect with individuals who can assist in achieving your goals. Exposing yourself to varied perspectives and experiences indeed enriches your network, contributing significantly to your professional growth and career development. This strategy ensures a well-rounded and robust professional network

Expand and diversify is a great way to help others and yourself to stay relevant wit current topics. For my career, I attend conferences, volunteer to present as well perform community outreach for victims. When you have more than one skill and can show yourself to be adaptable then your network will be more inclined to stay connected and reach out for future opportunities.

Expande y diversifica tu red profesional buscando activamente conexiones fuera de tu círculo actual. Asiste a eventos de diferentes industrias, participa en foros en línea y únete a grupos con intereses variados. Al interactuar con profesionales de diversos campos, ganas perspectivas únicas y aumentas las posibilidades de oportunidades inesperadas. Una red diversificada no solo enriquece tu comprensión del mercado, sino que también amplía tu alcance profesional.

Everyone has something to give. Offer your help! Yes, even strangers who you think you will never benefit from their support. Because you never know what their network looks like. Sometimes all you need is that one warm connection.

Consolidar sua presen?a e marca profissional, é um exercício de constancia e persistência. Opte por qualidade ao invés de quantidade, construa rela??es verdadeiras e n?o seja movido por trocas de interesses. Esteja aberto à ouvir e se coloque disponível para contribuir.

The key to strong networking skills is when you approach relationships as a partnership where both parties can benefit from each other. Be sure to offer specific assistance and feedback to your connections to keep those relationships warm.

Construir una red profesional implica dar y recibir. No dudes en pedir feedback a tus contactos y ofréceles tu apoyo también. La retroalimentación puede abrirte los ojos a nuevas oportunidades y mejorar tus habilidades. Igualmente, estar disponible para ayudar y asesorar a tus contactos fortalece las relaciones. Participa en sus proyectos, recomienda sus habilidades, y comparte oportunidades que puedan interesarles. Una red de apoyo mutuo es valiosa y sostenible a largo plazo.

If you don't get response back to networking request, it's ok, don't take it personally. It happens to everyone! Keep trying! ?? Have a calendar link ready, you'll have a better chance of getting something scheduled. When reaching out to someone you want to talk to: 1. Send a nice hello, light intro of yourself and topic you'd like to discuss, be kind and clear 2. If they have the bandwidth and agree to meet, you can now send them your calendar link to make scheduling quick and easy for them 3. Have a suggested agenda ready *I use calendly, I find it works great, but there's lots of options out there

By building a strong network you also build your personal brand. Create insurance for unexpected turns of life... Also good to keep in mind - nobody owes you anything. Be grateful, offer more than what you ask.

“Networking Always Beats Not Working!” Kevin D. Turner Go Grand, Never Bland, Brand to Land & #KeepRockingLinkedIn! Kevin On a Mission to Eliminate Organizational & Personal Blanding?

There are numerous reasons people may not respond to you when you invite them into your network, including: 1) They don't check LinkedIn frequently so they haven't seen your message 2) They aren't sure what you really want from them so are hesitant to engage 3) They are not interested in networking 4) They do not understand the value of engaging with you 5) They are not confident with their own networking skills or 6) They plan to respond; they just haven't yet, and many others. Understanding that their reasons for not engaging are more about them than you, don't take silence personally and keep moving forward. You will find the right people for you.

Take a chance and challenge your perceptions of what will be valuable. I've had so many colleagues who felt that a networking event or activity wasn't worth it who later realized it was a missed opportunity. Often, we think it's too small; it's not my peer group; and other self-fulfilling prophecies. Even if you made one connection, it will be worth much more than a larger quantity of less engaged connects!