TIN #093 - Proving It Works: Real Networking Success Stories
How These Stories Can Help You Be A Networking Success
Hey! Greg here,
A question I hear often: "I know I'm supposed to network, but does it really work?"
Today, I want to show you networking isn't a buzzword—it's a powerful tool for making meaningful connections to open doors to new opportunities.
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.
Real-Life Success Stories
I want to share some recent networking success with you.
The reason I’m sharing is to show you how opportunities can appear when you make an intentional effort to cultivate your network:
Story #1
Recently, I reconnected with a person in my network.
She and I talk every few months.
In one of our previous conversations, she mentioned she was teaching a leadership class at a local university. We briefly talked about me presenting a networking lesson to her students.
When I reconnected with her, she brought up the idea of the networking lesson.
Now, I’m on the calendar to do the presentation.
It was the simple message to reconnect that reminded her of our last conversation, which triggered her to get the presentation scheduled.
Key Takeaway:
When you have networking conversations, possible opportunities may arise; however, you need to follow-up with your connections to make sure they happen. If you leave the conversation and never follow-up, those opportunities can disappear.
Story #2
I have a list of my connections I review everyday. I talked about it in TIN #089 - A Beginner’s Guide to Creating Your Networking Contacts List.
By reviewing it daily, I’m reminded to send messages to one or two of my connections every day.
It doesn’t seem like a lot, but you’d be surprised how often one of my connections replies:
“I was just thinking of you and then I got your message! It’s like the universe was trying to tell me to talk to you.”
We cross other people’s minds throughout the day.
Most people don’t do anything about it besides saying to themselves, “I really should reach out to «insert your name here.»”
And because they don’t do anything in the moment, they move on and forget to reach out.
If you’re the one sending the messages, other people will love that you took the initiative. If you’ve crossed their mind recently, it will feel like serendipity.
That’s what happened with one of my connections I sent a message to in the past few weeks.
She responded to me right away with the quote above.
She was thinking of me to do a presentation on networking to a group of physicians she works with.
I may have gotten that opportunity without reaching out to her, or not.
She may have moved on with her day and never contacted me.
But because I moved to the top of her mind with my message, she responded and I have another presentation opportunity.
Key Takeaways:
Be intentional: Decide to send one message, make one new connection, or have one significant conversation each week.
Stay connected: Use simple check-ins to keep your relationships warm. You never know when a casual interaction could lead to a big opportunity.
The Simple Truth About Networking
Many overcomplicate networking, imagining it as a series of strategic moves.
However, at its core, networking is about:
Having genuine human conversations.
Reaching out and simply asking how someone is doing.
Staying top of mind so when opportunities arise, you are the first person they think of.
Wrap-Up: Your Networking Action Plan
This week, I challenge you to reach out to someone you haven't spoken to in a while.
It could be a dormant tie, a former colleague, or even someone you’ve always wanted to connect with professionally.
You'll be surprised by how much you can achieve with just a little effort.
Remember, networking is about being top of mind.
Try these tips and share your stories with me.
And if you haven’t yet, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more insights and tips.
Always be connecting!
Before You Go…
Wanted to share This post on LinkedIn from Daniel Pink. Sums up everything you need to know about having a networking conversation:
