8 Proven Networking Strategies of Successful Entrepreneurs

Conventional networking is usually ineffective. We’re both time poor and don’t know the place to seek out high quality connections, or we depart a networking occasion with a stack of enterprise playing cards however no strong relationships. Listed here are eight unconventional methods to nurture a robust community:

1. Do the work.

No magic fairy will wave her wand and provide you with high quality, dependable contacts in a short while. I’ve a saying: “You may get wealthy fast, however no person will get rich fast.” Having an incredible community is wealth. Creating an intensive beneficial community is not going to occur in a single day and even rapidly. You may pace issues up by attending the proper of occasions.

One purpose I created 10X Development Con—a big networking occasion for entrepreneurs—was to deliver like-minded folks collectively. Simply attending an occasion is not going to create a community. You have to nonetheless do the work: Attain out, be social and have gross sales abilities. The precise occasion can exponentially enlarge your community rapidly and [you can] solidify your contacts by following up steadily and staying in contact.

—Grant Cardone, prime gross sales professional who has constructed a multi-billion greenback actual property empire and New York Instances best-selling writer of Be Obsessed or Be Common. 

2. Turn into your greatest self.

First, determine the best individual you’ll wish to do enterprise with from a philosophical, character and principled perspective.

Second, turn out to be that individual. We appeal to who we turn out to be. To have a really perfect community, first turn out to be your ultimate self. Work tougher on your self than your job. Life is rarely about what we get; it’s about who we turn out to be. When networking, don’t ask your self, What am I getting? Bear in mind who you’re turning into.

Third, hook up with folks with comparable pursuits utilizing all mediums. The very best factor you are able to do is develop your social media community whereas working laborious on turning into the best one who you wish to appeal to.As you turn out to be extra attuned and develop your on-line viewers, you’ll appeal to unbelievable people who find themselves ultimate on your long-term enterprise relationships. You’ll be the proper individual in the proper place with the proper community.

—Brian Klock, founding father of Monetary Freedom Creator. 

3. Meet strangers.

One of many best methods to satisfy new folks is a technique I employed after I had virtually nothing: taking strangers out to lunches or dinners.

In 2015, I did that each single week and met eight new folks at a gaggle dinner. These dinners constructed an incredible community that contributed to just about 1,000,000 {dollars} in income—with out spending a dime on “promoting.”

I acquired to know these of us a lot better than another networking format that I knew of. Plus, it’s tremendous reasonably priced.

—Scott Oldford, founding father of INFINITUS, helps six-figure companies scale to seven figures utilizing on-line advertising and marketing.

4. Give as a substitute of take.

I attempt to present as a lot worth as attainable to folks in my community with out asking for something in return. At first of a brand new relationship, it’s important to earn the proper to have a real relationship. The one manner you are able to do that’s by giving an insane quantity of worth.

I’ll chilly e mail heroes of mine suggesting methods they’ll make extra gross sales. I’ll make introductions to folks I do know will help them. I’ll share what’s been working in my very own enterprise and encourage them to repeat it—all whereas asking for nothing in return. That’s the way you get folks’s consideration.It’s superb how those self same people proactively attempt that will help you. Doing it this manner helped me construct a community of extremely profitable associates and mentors, which in flip helped me construct a million-dollar enterprise.

— James Swanwick, entrepreneur, writer and co-founder of Swanwick Sleep and the 30-Day No Alcohol Problem. 

5. Make a life-changing introduction.

My whole world modified after I realized that networking was not about constructing my database however about being the gateway to a different nice relationship. Each time I meet somebody new, I’ve skilled myself to ask the query, Whom can I introduce this individual to that might change their life?

This goes a lot past having a scorecard for enterprise or private favors; it immediately deepens the non-public relationship, which is the inspiration of an superior community. So ask your self the query, What introduction can I make that can change somebody’s life?

—Sharran Srivatsaa, angel investor, CEO of Srilo Capital and chief of Teles Properties five-year development

6. Put money into your folks portfolio.

As a result of your community is your internet value, put money into it like a monetary portfolio. Meaning poisonous folks want eradicating. Constructing a great relationship with a foul individual is not possible. The precise community can be like blue chip, ever-increasing dividend shares.

There ought to by no means be a purpose to maintain rating. Be keen to take a position. Give to the connection first and in earnest. Contain households and host a gathering at your property. The chance to create genuine depth in a relationship is irreplaceable and can’t be achieved with limitless workplace conferences.One instance is our enterprise relationship with Amazon. We invested the trouble to study their new priorities and outcomes they’d want to have interaction with us. We had mutual targets and constructed a profitable inaugural occasion round their new venture.

—Joe Kakaty, former president of Poker Central

7. Deal with connections like neighbors.

Earlier than the Nineteen Eighties, most individuals lived in tightly knit communities the place figuring out your neighbor was a given. Everybody was anticipated to contribute to the success of the village. However this idea is slipping away as social networks revolutionize how we talk. We get aggressive, solely revealing sure elements of ourselves—particularly our successes.

I nurture my connections by treating them like neighbors. As I get human with them, they reciprocate my efforts. It’s helped me in all areas of life and enterprise. My group now comprises all of the connections I want.The bottom line is to supply worth earlier than asking for assist. For instance, Ryan Foland is the grasp of TEDx Talks. However earlier than he mentored me in regards to the topic, I gave him an concept that might doubtlessly improve his enterprise income and provided to assist execute it. That’s how villages and communities work.

—Sweta Patel, a startup advertising and marketing advisor and founding father of Silicon Valley Startup Advertising who has consulted for greater than 200 early-stage startups and high-growth corporations. 

8. Give again.

For me, sporting a nametag and chitchatting at networking occasions feels just like the dreaded public talking class in highschool. It fills me with dread, and I really feel like a sleazy automotive salesman. For those who’re not the networking, nametag-wearing sort, use my most popular backdoor technique. All people is aware of someone, and it’s nice enjoyable to offer again to your group.

Get entangled. I coach my son’s soccer and little league groups. I’ll donate a free panorama design to boost cash at public sale. I’ll assist a great consumer with their trigger.

Don’t simply donate cash or attend a stuffy fundraiser dinner. Roll up your sleeves and serve. Phrase-of-mouth spreads.

—Steve Griggs, founder and CEO of Steve Griggs Design, New York Metropolis’s premier panorama designer reworking backyards and rooftop gardens into non-public getaways

This text was revealed in August 2017 and has been up to date. Photograph by SeventyFour/Shutterstock