My Key Learnings from Creating a Network of 2000+ Targeted Individuals

Over the course of my career as a sales and marketing expert, I have consistently underscored the necessity of networking in making headway in the business world. In most cases, it is the only factor that separates the boys from the men when it comes to success records. In fact, getting too much information without networking can be highly unproductive. From my seven years of networking experience, I can confidently affirm that the agelong saying that “people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care” is so true.

Having a network or connection of the right set of people can open doors that even money cannot. It is almost unimaginable what you can achieve if you get into the circle of the “who is who” in your field or business’ niche. You get the inner circle information that even the best probing set of journalists cannot easily access. Besides, when you create a very powerful network of the right individuals, marketing becomes very easy. Your network becomes your first point of call when you are trying to sell a new idea or product. What’s more? You get very rich ideas and tips from people who may even be more qualified than you in your proposed endeavor.

With a network of more than two thousand targeted individuals, I have come to learn some very practical lessons which I believe anyone that cares deserves to know. I am going to highlight a few of those lessons here for you to take a cue from.

Networking Takes Time

It may sound good to hear that I have a network of over two thousand individuals, but the fact is; it didn’t happen overnight. It took me time to be able to meet some of these names. Some, at first, appeared to be indifferent and unwilling to build any relationship. However, I persisted without smothering them with my presence.

How was I able to do that? Of course, I made sure that I didn’t go farther than I guessed they would love to be questioned at first. Simply put, I stopped where I guessed they never wanted to go any further. As for me, if I asked you about the things you find exciting in life and I see that you aren’t forthcoming with a typical response of a willing network, I avoid probing you further.

This is not giving up. NO, I have just come to realize that people carry a lot of baggage in life. Sometimes, a person can appear unfriendly or unwilling to associate themselves due to issues they have faced in the past, and that is absolutely okay. But I have discovered that giving people time to like my concept or want to build a relationship of a sort with me pays greatly.

You Must Be Able to Ask Questions

How do you become friends with someone you are meeting for the first time? Of course, your initial lifeline would be to pose a very thought-provoking question to them. The question has to go beyond the usual rhetoric of where they live or what their best meal is. No, it is not likely you would make a good connection that way. Get to ask questions that a lot of people may consider open-ended, this compels people to give more than a one-word answer.

Take, for example, if I am meeting a person in a workshop for the first time, I could pose a question that goes this way, “What do you look forward to in life?” or “What makes you feel excited?” I have come to realize that questions like these break off into conversation starters, and make my potential network give more information than they naturally would. While this is happening, what they often do not notice is that we have begun a bonding process.

This idea is supported by the Harvard Business School as they have published some eight profound questions that anyone can ask a stranger they want to connect. However, a few people have insinuated that asking such questions, especially from someone you are meeting for the first time, may appear “rude”. However, if you don’t mind risking being called “rude”, you are on a great path to developing your network.

First Impression Matters

Not many people get second chances, even in the art of networking. As such, your first opportunity to make an impression matters a lot. It is a major factor that determines whether or not you will be meeting a person again. In my networking experience, I met people who gave me their attention simply because they loved the way I dressed or smiled – subtle cues matter a lot.

I have learned over time to make it my ethos not to appear shoddy or cranky whenever I find myself at a networking event or social gathering. The truth is; you never know who is watching, and I have always been particularly intrigued at how my appearance alone could leave a lasting impression in the minds of total strangers. Dress well and you will find that your potential network will often comment on your dressing, maybe even how simple but classic they find it. Based on this, you can easily take a wild guess to conclude that they judged you by that before getting to hear you out.

When I realized this, I became very intentional about the clothes I wore and how comfortable I felt in them. I became clinical in my choice of clothing whilst maintaining my simplicity. If I ever wore a suit, it had to be cute and with a proper cut. This is also the case with my casual clothes as well. I cannot overemphasize how much this simple habit put me ahead of so many other networkers at events.

People Love Courtesy

With courtesy as your watchword in your networking adventure, you can hardly get things wrong. Irrespective of the people I targeted at events, I realized that if I exchanged greetings, showed a little respect in how I addressed them, I got more of their attention and eventually won them over. You may not understand the full importance of this until you begin to rise in your career – but this is a sure “people-winner”.

It is very easy to be rude, overbearing, and insensitive. More importantly, if you have certain qualities that grant you leverage, it is easy to look down on people who have achieved less. However, a lot of people within my network have admitted that they became fascinated with me simply because “I made everyone my friend.” However exaggerated that statement might sound, the truth is that I love to give everyone an ideal level of respect.

There is no way to sugar-coat this; you will never be friends with the right people when you are rude or pompous. The respect and courtesy you show comes back to you one way or another. In fact, a little “thank you” after someone graciously hands you a glass of cold water can form the basis of lifelong networking experience.

Things Don't Always Work Out

Before you end up thinking I had it all good, I will come out straight to let you know that my efforts at creating a network of high-profile individuals have not always been successful. I have met people who have insulted me, and also misunderstood my simple efforts to make a connection. Initially, I was worried about this until I came to terms with the fact that; not everyone would like me – and that was okay.

Some people have had their minds made up, and they simply lack the capacity to accommodate any more connections. As such, no matter how hard you try, you might just find yourself meeting a brick wall. I have experienced this a couple of times and my response to this kind of situation is to let it go. Be aware that there will always be times when you need to let go and move in your networking journey. This does not connote failure, but rather a self-awareness of your worth and an acknowledgment of the fact that you don't always get to have your way.

Networking Demands Confidence

One last important tip is that networking requires boldness and self-confidence. If you are very timid, docile, or lack a strong sense of self-worth, it might be difficult for you to network with some set of individuals. I cannot recount the number of contacts I have made just because I freed myself from the bondage of shyness and became more audacious.

Honestly, I have come to realize that the things you fear, in most cases, fear you too. It all depends on who takes the bull by its horn first. It’s natural for anyone to be skeptical about another person’s personality, but it’s up to you to define how people see you. I have learned to believe in myself, I never feared to get things wrong even when reaching out to the most elite people; this is a habit you should cultivate too.

It’s up to you to define how people see you. Read on to hear about my experiences having created a targeted network of 2000+ individuals.