The "FAIL-PROOF" Formula to Building and Enhancing your Network

Let's first start with what your professional network should be:

"A circle of influencers that are vested in you so you can fulfill a strategic objective"

Most miss the boat on this.....even you included at times, I'll be the first to raise my hand to say I missed it. Networking is daunting, time consuming and wheel spinning. You often may think that it serves no purpose, but in these times I challenge you to self-reflect and ask yourself if you're going about it right.

The  “Bulls-Eye" to Networking is comprised of several layers of networking methodology. These layers focus around how you can assist and communicate with specific types of professionals in order to fulfill your objective, therefor hitting the bulls-eye.

There is no faster, more effective, or more powerful way of earning likability and trust than focusing on the right ways to networking. This can open doors that allow career opportunities to manifest and goals to be achieved.

The best advice I could give you about networking:

"Know the WHY you want them in your network and HOW you can help"

There’s nothing wrong with casting a wide net and interacting with a broad professional network. However- you're building your network for a reason, so make sure you're marketing yourself with the types of people that'll help you reach your objective.

That being said, be prepared for meaningful dialogue no matter how simple it may start at first. Make sure you have sincere interest in his or her experience and background, or else your underlying intent will be seen fast and you'll get ignored.

 Lets get started with the 9 FAIL-PROOF layers that'll accelerate your networking abilities and revive and build the network that you have!

1.) EVALUATE YOUR CURRENT NETWORK & DETERMINE WHAT YOU WANT IT TO BE

• Determine the Who, What, Where, and Why behind the niche network that you want to build. Spring clean those that shouldn't be a part of it. When doing so- I found I had over 4K people auto-added from countries I shouldn't have been associated with!?!?
• Develop a segmented list "A Persona" of types of individuals that should be a part of your network. This could include: professionals by industry, positions they hold, certain types of companies you want to be associated with, thought leaders, recruiters, executives, specific cities of choice, marketeers, sales extraordinaire etc....
• Determine who in your network is active, passive, and non-existent- A majority of people just passively watch verse actively post. So understanding a professionals activity (likes & comments) is key before you just unfollow them because you may think they are non-existent. This also helps you gather blue print information for future interactions.
• Of those you do interact with, Follow them on other social media channels as well.

2.) HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY & COMMUNICATIONS PLAN

• Develop a checklist communications plan, outlining what platforms you'll use to market your message, and set specific goals you want to achieve.
• Listening to your Audience is the most important aspect of your plan. Once you understand the environment- then interact with their posts. Followed by publishing your own post(s) daily. The key thing to remember is to write for your audience- not for you.
• Set aside specific time each day to monitor and listen to the latest posts and comment in a value driven way. Send messages and reply daily to messages. Try to respond within an hour verse days later. This shows that you're easily reachable.
• Utilize Social Media Management tools if needed to help you listen, monitor, engage, monitor your reputation, automate posts, and develop networking content pools for easy replies and management. I recommend to start using the free version of Hootsuite where you can save streams for easy monitoring and utilize there tools . I like it because it keeps all communication in one place for easy review. So basically you can see all your social media feeds broken down by streams in one location. In the near future I'll do an article on all the different types of social media management tools.
• Build your Brand by using creative branding tool for images, info-graphics, GIF's such as Canva or Giphy Visual aides are extremely important and they highlight your professional and creative content skills!
• Communicate thought leadership articles, value-driven posts or content through videos. Later you can edit the videos and present them to your audience through your posting schedule. I know you trend to not doing videos but in today's day in age- video content is rapidly evolving and a great way to share your story.
• Use free video editing tools such as windows movie maker, quik or paid versions such as Movavi. Just take the time to research and find the tool that best suites you, your needs, and your budget.
• Arrange exploratory & mentorship conversations with them over the phone and/or video conference. This allows you to change the environment from a post or video to a live interaction with them
• Meet in person if possible: Coffee, Lunch, Dinner. So they get to know the magical you!
• Have a follow-up plan so you can stay in contact with them: Email, Phone, In-person meetings. Set reminders say via a calendar alert =)

3.) CONNECTING & INTERACTING WITH KEY INFLUENCERS- THE RIGHT WAY

• First, gather blue printing info on each influencer so you know who they are.
• Determine how you can help this key influencer's based on potential pain points and the areas they communicate on.
• When sending a connection request- Send them each a personalized note, requesting you'd like them to be part of your network and how you can help them. "You'll have a better chance at actually connecting with them if you do so and it starts things off right"
• Most importantly, quality over quantity. Strategically connect with individuals whose values and needs align with your own. You determine who you need in your network.
• Go the extra mile in order to market yourself properly. A few sentences may not cut it- neither will a thumbs up emoji.
• Help them broadcast their message! They want to stand out & amplify their presence as much as you want to work on your presence. So be a team player.
• Always Be Creative. Be Positive. Be Yourself. Be Authentic. Be Valuable.
• Support their vision and goals, while adding value.

Suppose for a moment that “Influencer X” is who you’d like to target:

• Develop Blue Print information on Influencer X
• Send introductory thank you note.
• Watch for opportunities to make smart replies on “Influencer X” posts.
• Don’t comment on every Influencer X post. Wait for the right topics to reply with authority, value, and insight so you contribute to the conversation in a positive way.
• Follow Influencer X on other social media channels to show support.
• Over time, Influencer X and/ or their audience will interact and respond with gratitude.
• Send an Email, Schedule a Call, Have Lunch, Build the Relationship.

4.) CREATING CALCULATED NOISE- THE RIGHT NOISE!!!

• Think out & Prepare your valuable content well before posting it. There should be a method to what you're trying to achieve- remember you're marketing yourself. Don't post blindly- people are watching always.
• Post a variety of quality content consistently while using various platforms to broadcast your Brand- this is so your message permeates throughout the social and digital landscapes.
• Become an expert on what your idea's are or what your subject matter expertise is. You'll have to spend time & effort in researching and optimizing your message for your audience. Your content should be methodically planned or at least have some sort of plan behind it so it's meaningful. Again, so your audience see's it as valuable content for them!
• One of the best things you can do is to highlight the great things others are doing. This immediately shows you're putting them in your spot light. It's a great added touch. An example of this could be- highlighting someone for taking their time and having a great conversation with you. You could even recap a few gold nuggets of knowledge they recommended.
• Content that is visually appealing and valuable will attract others to want to learn more about you- because you're marketing yourself or your product to them. This is done by clicking your post, article, or video. I call it having a click-thru-rate.
• Be omnipresent on a variety of social media platforms so people can find you. Are you searchable? You may say you don't want to be- but most professionals will search you first, before they start to actually invest time and interact with you. Be cautious of how you display yourself within the social media channels you use- you want the best appearance possible.

5.) INTERACTING WITH PROFESSIONALS– IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU, IT’S ABOUT THEM

• Forget about what you want.
• Focus on what you can do for the people you’re interacting with.
• Be helpful, easily reachable, and approachable.
• Inquire about their adventures, interests, goals, and how they got to where they are.
• Don’t go straight into who you are or what your needs may be, wait as long as reasonably possible. Sooner or later they'll want to know more about you and how they can help.
• Don’t go against the grain in your communications, find the sweet spot where you both can agree to disagree on the related topic. In today's digital age it very easy to turn people off because of your viewpoints, tone and voice.
• Compliment, compliment, compliment. People want to connect with and help others who are genuinely nice people and who have their best interest at mind. Be that person!

6.) ARE YOU BUILDING A CIRCLE OF INFLUENCERS OR BUILDING YOUR FOLLOWER COUNT?

• Establish good, two-way communication to start developing the relationship. Trust takes time to build- it's a long game. Trust allows vesting to happen. You want people to go-to-bat for you- they're vesting in you. It can be the difference between handing your resume to the hiring manager or just letting the process do it's normal thing. It's the difference between a quick email or a 5 min discussion on why you're a good fit.
• Think about it from their perspective for a moment. Is there a Return on Relationship for them by accepting your invite or taking a call with you? ROR is the new currency to strengthen relationships. How will you develop a Human Capital saving bank with even valuable professional in your network?
• You have to commit to the "Art of Communication & Relationship building via social channels." Some people may only use Twitter.......or Instagram......or Facebook. They may even prefer getting a YouTube intro video from you verse getting an LinkedIn message, email.............communication is an art and everyone's canvas is different. So what may work on one platform may not work on another. Use variety in your communication methods.
• Your smile is your logo, your lasting impression, your Brand, your trademark, your personality, and is the uplifting you. Take the time to impress and professionally look the part with your best appearance and attitude in mind =) Again, compliment, compliment, compliment, smile, smile, smile!

7.) BUILDING YOUR NETWORK PROPERLY

• 80% of your time should be focused on building your existing relationships to get their support and buy-in of you. All you need is a few professionals to vest in you, go-to-bat and make the call, verse thousands that don't know your name.
• 20% of your time should be spent on developing new potential relationships in the areas of your network that may be lacking. You ultimately want to have a fortress verses a shack- so take your time and build it the right way!
• Something to think about- consider and understand that you may not know who all is in Influencer X's network that may be able to help you; think 2nd & 3rd & 4th order effects.....who could potentially see your posts or how you can help those particular individuals.
• It’s OK to wine and dine- old school networking. The phone call, the fruit basket, the thank you letter, a personal note, a sit down for coffee, lunch, dinner etc…think of it like a date.........you probably go on several dates and to get to know a person before you take the big plunge (LOL)
• Do some familiarity on and then consider using a variety of broadcasting platforms as you're building your network. Podcasts, Group Hosted Video meetings, Radio Shows, Talk Show interviews, Facebook Live events, Publishing platforms, In-Person Networking events, Professional Development groups, Conferences, Etc....

8.) PEOPLE WANT LIVE INTERACTIONS: GET OUT FROM BEHIND YOUR DESK!

• Be selective with each event obviously. Find a variety of Networking & Conference Events and then determine- Why you need to go? If you can’t answer that basic question, don’t waste your time. Who within your network is attending this particular networking event or conference.
• Why are these specific influencers and/or power players in attendance? What are they trying to accomplish? How can you help? Plan accordingly.
• Be engaging and outgoing- you may have numerous discussions so be prepared. Heck, you could even get a interview there and someone hires you on the spot. You could be asked for your resume......make sure at a minimum you have a digital copy that can be emailed on a moments notice.
• Ask yourself this- What tangible thing can you offer to solve a problem they may be facing? If you don't know- then you haven't done your homework or don't have enough blue print information on them. Start digging and preparing so you can have a meaningful and valuable conversation.

*Step 1- Before the Event:

• Weeks before the event, you need to start preparing.
• Who are the influencers? Who are the speakers? Who could be in attendance?
• Follow these individuals on their social channels.
• Engage in their content so they may recognize you in person which engenders a conversation.
• Practice your elevator pitch or intro pitch....
• Arrive 30-60 minutes early to the event so you know the layout and can start networking early.
• Dress for Success. Follow this equation: Be Memorable + Be Different = Being Remembered.
• Create pre-templated graphics in Canva, insert pictures & hashtags, and have them readily available to post during the event. You don't have to go crazy but have a few on standby so you can plug-n-play. You can even tag those in the pictures that you are connected with!

*Step 2- During the Event:

• Be memorable and different so you’re remembered, not forgotten. Set the tone, for example by wearing two name tags, or be different and wear a bow-tie!
• Ask for their business cards before grabbing yours or Add their mobile number to your cell and text them confirmation. You could text them the confirmation pictures the both or you took!
• Obviously have a conversation with people before you start handing out business cards and asking for numbers. Show value and build credibility. You'll know when the right time is.
• Find the WHAT and HOW. What their pain point may be and How you can help them solve their problem. Then offer your contact info for the follow-up session.

*Step 3- After the Event:

• Keep a list of everyone you want to stay connected with for whatever the reason may be.
• Send a quick email to them thanking them for the interactions at the event- within 24-48 hours so they don't forget you =)
• Thereafter, pick one person daily on your list to send an in-depth email to showing your support and outlining how you can help them.
• Direct message someone referencing their posts on social media from the event, share those event pictures also.
• Highlight a skill or complete an endorsement you physically saw from that person from the event on one of their social profiles.
• Give them a call or leave a thank you message.

9.) BECOME A MAGNET

• Listen more than you talk…this is your most powerful relationship building tool.
• Ask questions, be funny, be genuine, and get the individual to expand on who they are or what they may need.
• Be true with displaying your curiosities and make them feel important.
• Promote your influencers by featuring, highlighting, echoing their voice and serving them.
• When your relationship has began shape, share your story. Let them know what you’re trying to achieve, and ask for their thoughts and recommendations.
• Follow up with a thank you email recapping conversations and request a coffee or lunch meeting at a fun/interesting place (if local).

Well, I hope these tips will help you in your future endeavors. These networking layers can be used in a variety of ways- not just for finding a job but for finding a new hire or selling a product or meeting another like minded business professional.

Now that you understand the importance of your Networking- I highly encourage you to read- [?????????????? ?????? ?????????? ??????...] ?????? ???????????? ?????? ??????????????????

Once you complete that- then move onto- 6 Marketing Hacks That’ll Ignite Your Efforts!!

Best of Luck and Please share these article with your network!

Justin