TIN #087 - How to Network in Just 15 Minutes a Day
Say goodbye to excuses and hello to a thriving network!
Hello, fellow introverts,
It's Greg here, your guide on the networking journey.
In this issue, I’m addressing the most common excuse I hear when people tell me they aren’t networking:
"I just don't have time to network."
Sound familiar?
Let’s dismantle this barrier together, 15 minutes at a time.
This issue takes about 4 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. Be sure to listen to this week’s podcast and check out the previous episodes of the podcast as well.
The video version of the podcast is available on my YouTube channel.
The Myth of Time
Many of us imagine networking as a time-consuming ordeal involving events, travel, and hours of conversation.
If this is what you think of when I say the word “Networking,” then, yes, it will take a lot of time.
This perception couldn't be further from the truth.
When you change your mindset about networking, you’ll find it doesn’t have to dominate your daily schedule.
What if I told you effective networking could fit into just 15 minutes a day?
Why 15 Minutes?
A decade ago, I embarked on an experiment called "15 Minutes of Change" to see if small daily efforts could lead to significant progress.
Spoiler: They can.
From building a website to nurturing ideas, dedicating 15 minutes daily propelled me forward, laying the groundwork for what I preach today:
The power of short, consistent efforts in networking.
I talked about this back in TIN #014 - How To Find Time To Network, but it’s always good to revisit this powerful approach to getting started and getting things done.
15 Minutes of Networking: How?
Set the Timer: Begin each day with a 15-minute timer for networking. This small commitment is your ticket to progress. Start the timer. Get to work.
The 5/25/150 List: Dive into your curated list of contacts (as detailed in TIN #035 - How To Mange Your List Of Networking Connections). Reach out, check in, and keep the relationship alive.
Reconnect & Connect: Use this 15 minutes and your list of connections to reach out to an existing contact. An alternative is to create a new connection by reaching out to someone on LinkedIn. A quick message or comment can reignite old relationships or spark new ones.
Engage and Respond: As you do this each day, people will respond. Spend a moment responding to their messages or scheduling calls and meetings. It's about maintaining the conversation flow.
BONUS TIP! Win Tomorrow Today: When the timer expires, identify the person you will connect with during your next 15 minute session. This way, you know exactly who to start with next time.
The Ripple Effect of 15 Minutes. Why It Works!
This approach breaks down the time barrier and initiates action.
Starting is often the hardest part, but by reducing it to such a manageable timeframe, the "I don't have time" excuse becomes moot.
You’ll find that these brief, consistent efforts quickly compound into substantial networking gains.
Your Turn
Set your timer for 15 minutes today.
Choose one networking action and dive in.
It's about making incremental progress that, over time, amounts to significant change.
And if 15 minutes feels too much, adjust. Spend 10 or even 5 minutes.
The key is consistency, not the duration.
Networking doesn’t need to be a marathon session.
It’s the daily, focused effort that counts.
Tools and Resources
For those looking to dive deeper, check out my "15 Minute Networking" guide.
It’s a step-by-step blueprint to transform your networking efforts, 15 minutes at a time.
And as a bonus if you buy it now, you get a FREE copy of my book, The Fast and Easy Guide to Networking for Introverts.
In Closing
Your networking journey is just that—a journey.
It’s about making the process work for you, in the time you have, with the energy you possess.
Let’s make networking an accessible part of our daily routine, not a daunting task on our to-do list.
Until next time, remember: Always be connecting.
I think if you did this 15 minutes every day, it would make a huge difference. Thanks