Networking and the Strength of Weak Ties
Angela Dunz, MBA
Attorneys & High-Level Professionals - Are you thrilled with the results you're getting on LinkedIn??? | Thought Leadership, Business Development, Professional Branding, Visibility & Optimization
Building Your Network & the Value of Weak Ties
When I moved to California in 2011, I had never formally networked in my life. Sure I connected people. And, jobs just always came to me. I'm sure many of you can relate.?
The very first networking event I attended in SF was The Art of Networking. I was hoping I could learn something.
I had no idea networking was a thing, nor had I ever attended an event dedicated to the art of networking.?
Here, I knew I would have to up my game to be successful. I knew no one, had no inside contacts, no plan. Well, my plan was to get a Director of Marketing or CMO position with my shiny new MBA.?
Ha!?
Never happened, despite my valiant, yet lame networking attempts. The Accidental Entrepreneur.?
LinkedIn is many things. It was designed to be a 'searchable rolodex' to connect the right business people for the right opportunities.?
It is essential as a networking tool. How do you plan to nurture and maintain all the relationships you initiate from networking??
As an introvert, networking came hard for me. I had to make deals with myself in the parking lot - "If you just talk to 5 people, you can go home." It was awful.?
Digital networking is an introvert's Dream. Sit at home where I'm comfortable and craft great messages, wish people Happy Birthday, share an article or a story that's useful...
Networking - both Digital and in-person - is an Art Form. It can be learned. Anything that can be learned, can be mastered.?
You need to master both In Person and Online.?
So, let's talk about both quantity and quality. Right after I landed in the Bay Area, I discovered the Theory of Weak Ties. Great comfort for an Introvert.?
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There is a limit to the number of close relationships we are able to maintain. There is a continuum of how many. I bet Extroverts can maintain more. IDK.?
It takes time and energy to keep those ties strong. And, you likely know a lot of the same people. Your networks overlap greatly.?
In 1973 the sociologist Mark Granovetter published a paper titled “The Strength of Weak Ties."?He analogizes weak ties as bridges that allow us to disseminate and get access to information and opportunity we might not otherwise have access to.?
In fact, Granovetter states, “All bridges are weak ties.”
On LinkedIn, or Twitter, and TikTok you can maintain, hundreds and thousands of connections. Think of how diverse that makes your network.?
Social Media dramatically changed the power of networking. And expanded access. It has opened doors. (and Pandora's Box)
If you are looking for speaking opportunities, hiring a new admin, or looking for advice for coaching, where do you go?
It's easy to maintain a large number of weak ties. This is another benefit of your Content Strategy, Blog or Newsletter. It reaches large numbers. Hard to measure the ROI.?
85% of my Speaking opportunities come from weak ties. Much easier to measure ROI. The 2 are connected.?
What are you doing to expand your network strategically?
Do you have a strategy to nurture your Weak Ties??
until next time...
Angela