I hate networking events: they’re overly crowded, people always have an agenda (the need to meet a potential client), and it’s difficult to build a relationship with an individual.
Instead of pursuing networking events, I’ve decided to network slowly and utilize my current network to meet new people. Here’s three ways that I do it and how you can do it too:
Email newsletter with close friends
Instead of trying to meet random people at a networking event, I leverage my close personal friends to make the introductions for me. I utilize MailChimp to email a list of about 100 friends who I greatly respect, and who are as highly motivated as me.
Once a month, I send an email newsletter about what I’ve learned, useful resources that I’ve found online, and requests for introductions to interesting people.
When I first moved to the Bay Area in Northern California, I emailed my list to make introductions for people I should meet in the area. Upon moving to the Bay, I instantly had 7 lunch meeting with young professionals and entrepreneurs that I’m still close friends with today.
But I don’t just focus on taking from my community; I also focused on giving back to my community. A good friend of mine in Los Angeles, CA recently asked me to connect him to a hungry entrepreneur that is looking to lead a profitable project. I again emailed my list to let them know that I have a great opportunity for a young entrepreneur. One week after I sent the email, I connected my friend with an entrepreneur that is now leading the project and increasing profitability for my friend’s company.
- Network slowly: let your friends make the important introductions for you
Personal blog
My personal blog has worked wonders for me in terms of opening up doors for unique opportunities and making me introductions to successful entrepreneurs. At the moment, I try to keep a steady schedule of new posts every Tuesday and Thursday. It’s tough to keep it consistent, so if you don’t have time to write 2 posts a week, try to at least post once a week every Tuesday.
Make it clear on your “About” and “Contact” page that you’re looking to meet people and you’ll find emails from awesome people in your inbox.
- Network slowly: show value to people online and valuable people will reach out to you
Join valuable organizations
Personal Branding Blog is a great community that I’ve decided to join by contributing blog posts once a week. Dan Schawbel has done an amazing job, and I’ve leveraged his success to find introductions to other successful entrepreneurs.
I am also a part of the Young Entrepreneur Council. The YEC has been extremely valuable in terms of making introductions to young go-getters that are making a difference. It’s very easy to meet people through the Facebook Group, and the content and community managers have been super helpful in getting my content published on A-list blogs around the web.
I highly recommend that you apply to be a part of the YEC right now.
- Network slowly: allow community manager and chief editors to do their job and connect you with other important people in the community
As an immediate next step, create a free MailChimp account and create an email list with 100 people that you follow on Twitter. Send 1 email a month with valuable content and ask for introductions to people that they recommend you meet. This action alone will greatly open up the doors to a network of successful professionals.
Author:
Jun Loayza is the Co-Founder of RewardMe, a customer loyalty platform for restaurants and retailers. In his entrepreneurial experience, Jun has sold 2 internet companies and lead social media technology campaigns for Sephora, Whole Foods Market, Levi’s, LG, and Activision. On the side, Jun helps his girlfriend run an online boutique.
