TIN #099 - The Hardest Part Of Networking Is Getting Started. Here's The 2nd Hardest Part And How To Fix It
Simple Tips to Maintain Your Networking Efforts
The hardest part of networking is getting started, but the second hardest part is keeping the momentum going.
Today, I want to share how to overcome this challenge.
This issue takes about 5 minutes to read…
Before We Get Started:
My online course, “5 Steps To Grow Your Professional Network,” is FREE for all my newsletter subscribers. Learn the process I use everyday to grow my professional network.
Each week, I post a new podcast with tips you’ll find in the weekly newsletter and bonus stories, wisdom, and motivation. The Introverted Networker podcast is like the weekly newsletter but with additional narration and thoughts from me. Subscribe to my podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more networking tips and insights.
The video version of the podcast is available on my YouTube channel.
Why It's Important to Keep Going
If you follow the steps in my FREE class “5 Steps To Grow Your Professional Network” process,” you learn how to get your networking started.
But that’s just the beginning.
Networking isn’t a one-week project; it’s an ongoing process.
Your network will grow only if you consistently nurture and expand your connections over time.
I get it, life is busy, and it can be tough to find time to maintain the habit of networking, but here are some strategies to help you sustain your momentum.
1. Remember Your Why
Remind yourself why you started networking in the first place.
Are you looking for a new job?
Are you trying to grow your business?
Do you want to make sure you have a vibrant network in case you need it?
When you get stuck, come back to why you’re networking.
This helps you prioritize your networking actions.
When networking becomes a priority, it gets done.
Reminding yourself about your networking purpose resets your priorities to keep you going.
2. Make Networking Part of Your Identity
Serious runners don’t tell people they are “a person who runs.”
They call themselves “runners.”
Don’t tell yourself you’re someone who is networking.
Take on the identify of a “networker.”
If you think about networkers, what do they do?
They connect.
Since you’re a networker, you connect
When networking becomes part of your identity, it's easier to incorporate it into your daily life.
3. Break Actions into Smaller Steps
If the thought of networking is overwhelming, get small.
If the idea of reaching out to ten people stops you, send one message or make one call.
If thinking about talking to five people every week stresses you out, talk to one.
When you get smaller and tell yourself you have to do only one thing, it gets easier to do that one thing.
Often, completing a small action gives you the momentum to do more.
If you do it, and it feels good, decide if you want to do more.
If you do, great!
If you don’t, great!
Take the one win and celebrate.
Then do the same thing tomorrow.
4. Give Yourself Grace
I’ll admit it.
I struggle with this one.
When I don’t reach out to one of my connections each day, I’m hard on myself.
I’m The Introverted Networker. How can I tell you to network every day if I don’t do it myself.
But then I remind myself:
Life happens.
If you miss a day or a week of networking, don’t be too hard on yourself.
Leave it in the past and focus on the next day.
The key is to get back on track and to not miss two consecutive days.
Consistency, even in small doses, is crucial to making progress.
5. Focus on Giving
Reframing networking as helping others often inspires me to take action.
Helping others can be incredibly motivating.
When I ask myself, “Who have you helped today?” and the answer is “No one,” I’m motivated to reach out to a connection and send them something useful.
When you focus on how you can assist others, you’ll find it easier to keep reaching out and maintaining those connections.
This mindset reset gets me moving again because I feel good when I help others.
Practical Tips to Keep Going
When you’re struggling to keep going, try a few of these tactics to get unstuck:
Review Your List: Regularly go through your list of contacts and see who you need to follow up with.
Set Reminders: Use reminders or a calendar to schedule regular networking activities.
Send Value: As you’re browsing the internet or scrolling through your social media, ask yourself, “Who do I know that would like this?” Then send it to them. You might be surprised how often this can be the start of a networking conversation.
Remember, networking is a continuous process.
Keep these strategies and tactics in mind to help sustain your efforts.
If you have any questions or need further advice, feel free to leave a comment or reach out to me on LinkedIn.
Also, don't forget to subscribe to my podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more networking tips and insights.
Before You Go…
Some additional thoughts from people I follow:
Mike Marcellus at The Strategic Networker has some advice relevant to this week’s newsletter topic.
Dickie Bush also has some thoughts on how to start your Monday morning with some strong networking activity.
Floating Thoughts - shared an awesome visual on the power of Consistency.