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The 5-Point Strategy to a Powerful Network

February 22, 2007 by Liz Leave a Comment

A Networking Story

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Last Sunday, we released the announcement for SOBcon 07. It’s a relationship bloggers’ event. We lived our message. We reached out to our friends for help in spreading the news — if they believed the event was worth talking about on their blogs. Most everyone we asked to help has blogged about the event. We’re so grateful.

When we reached out to the folks to ask their help, something happened behind the scenes. Certain people I wrote emailed me back almost immediately. A few called or skyped. They had questions about the event. Those people, all friends and colleagues, contacted me for one of these reasons.

  1. They knew the people involved, and offered congratulations.
  2. They asked for more information upon which to make their decision.

In networking terms, their friendship, influence, and credibility and my friendship, influence, and credibility were talking to each other.

The 5-Point Strategy to Building a Powerful Network

Networks of people can be powerful influencers. A network of influencers expands our knowledge and our reach by engaging the power of “WE.” The problem is that networks take time to build and require attention.

You might have heard “It’s not what you know, but who you know.”

That’s not exactly true.

A powerful network requires two qualities: limited size to keep it sleek and easy to interact with, and people of like mind so that their connections and your connections are likely to be of the same quality.

Here is the 5-point strategy to build that powerful network.

  1. What you know is important. Learn as much as you can. Know what you know. Know its value. Don’t over value it. Don’t under value it. Understand how common or rare your knowledge and skill set are.
  2. Networks are built from relationships. Address books are filled with contacts. Relationships grow and expand as they age. They also require time and interaction to be of value. To build a top-notch network of people, choose people you would bet your reputation on — people who have your standards and similar goals. They will always connect to other people that you want to know.
  3. Who knows what you know is important. Read that again. Who knows what you know is important.Do you know the influencers in your market? Find ways to share your expertise with people who have influence. Influencers naturally talk about people who are great at what they do. Influencers are often asked for recommendations. How might you offer them a service that would put you on the edge of their network?
  4. Take an interest and be the first to offer a favor. When you meet someone of quality, ask questions, listen actively, and be the first to give a favor without strings. People remember sincere curiosity and true generosity, especially the first time it happens. Make friendships and relate positively to everyone that you meet.
  5. Listen for when a mentor appears, and welcome him or her gladly. Mentors are hard to find when we’re looking. They find us and show themselves by offering advice or wisdom to see whether we recognize it. Don’t miss (or mistake) the mentors who will come your way, offering their experience and connections. They see something in you.

These five points will lead to a network that is more powerful than most folks develop. It will be a group of people within the larger group of folks we know — a network built from relationships that are thoughtfully matched. Not everyone we meet is a lifelong friend. We already knew that.

Why am I thinking of kissing frogs and a prince?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
If you think Liz can help you find focus or direction, check out the Personal Virtual Manager on Work with Liz!! page.

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Filed Under: Community, Marketing /Sales / Social Media, Strategy/Analysis, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, networking, self-promotion, sobcon, SOBcon-07, Strategy/Analysis

Comments

  1. Mike says

    February 22, 2007 at 12:41 PM

    Awesome advice, especially points 3, 4, and 5! And any non-blogger will appreciate them. 😉

    All of the truly useful networking advice I’ve ever heard in one easy-to-swallow capsule!

    Reply
  2. ME Strauss says

    February 22, 2007 at 12:43 PM

    Hi Mike!
    Thank you. I’ve never seen all in one place either!

    Reply
  3. Wendy Piersall :: eMom says

    February 22, 2007 at 1:02 PM

    As always, Liz, your eloquent post is inspiring and insightful. I am often bothered by the phrase, “It’s not what you know, but who you know.”

    It’s NOT who you know – it’s who you have a true give and take relationship with. And you, my dear, just seem to keep on giving! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Mark Goodyear says

    February 22, 2007 at 1:42 PM

    Great post. I wish I could be in Chicago for the SOBCon07! I’ll certainly spread the news to my IVP friends in Chicago.

    Reply
  5. Robert Hruzek says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:05 PM

    Liz, wish I could be there, too! *sigh*

    I especially like #4! I’m not very good at it, but I like it! *sigh*

    Reply
  6. ME Strauss says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:23 PM

    Hi Wendy!
    Thanks. I never that “It’s not what ya’ know” line either. I think that’s a cynic’s view of how relationships work and value. Generosity, curiosity, and intelligence have always worked even when I didn’t know anyone. A smile is a good thing too!

    Reply
  7. ME Strauss says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:25 PM

    Hi Mark! I wish were coming too! Gosh it would so wonderful to meet you and talk about writing. Thanks for spreading the word and the Word. 🙂

    Reply
  8. ME Strauss says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:26 PM

    Hi Bob!
    I wish you could come too. Maybe all of our Canadian friends sponsor a SOBcon CANADA and we could come up to you.

    Regarding #4 I think you’re doing better than you give yourself credit for. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Robert Hruzek says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:30 PM

    How about an SOBcon HOUSTON? … and thanks! I’m workin’ on it.

    Reply
  10. Mike says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:33 PM

    I was wondering when you emigrated from the Republic of Texas to Canada, Bob!

    Reply
  11. Robert Hruzek says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:34 PM

    Come summertime, I’ll WISH I were there!

    Reply
  12. ME Strauss says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:38 PM

    So Bob! What was I thinking . . . ?
    I’ll put it off to the fact that I just got my hair made blonder. 🙂

    That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

    Mike, be quiet. 🙂 I’m clueless. You should feel sorry for me. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Mike says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:39 PM

    Come mid-April and you’ll wish you were there (if my memory of Houstonian humidity serves)…

    Reply
  14. Mike says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:44 PM

    Liz,

    I’m sorry, but I can’t feel sorry for one of my betters! 😉

    I can, however, feel empathy, since I’m always calling people by the wrong name. (I blame it on the pasteurization of beer; that’s just unnatural)

    Mike

    Reply
  15. ME Strauss says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:47 PM

    Oh, Mike,
    Now I’m really confused! 🙂
    Better, yeah right. . . . that one’s over.

    I’m with you on the beer. My dad wouldn’t like that. 🙂

    Reply
  16. Mike says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:53 PM

    Okay, one of my most admired colleagues. How’s that?

    Reply
  17. ME Strauss says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:54 PM

    That’ll work, if you’ll accept that it goes both ways. 🙂

    Reply
  18. Mike says

    February 22, 2007 at 3:57 PM

    As I told Karin earlier this week, I’m not one shun a compliment, and I consider that a very great one! Thank you.

    Reply
  19. ME Strauss says

    February 22, 2007 at 4:04 PM

    You’re welcome.

    Reply
  20. Dan and Jennifer says

    February 22, 2007 at 5:04 PM

    Liz,

    Excellent post, love your insights as always.

    Rob, I was just proposing SOBCon Dallas to Liz a few days ago! 🙂

    Have an awesome day!
    Dan

    Reply
  21. ME Strauss says

    February 22, 2007 at 7:17 PM

    Dan and Jennifer,
    If you could get sponsors and site in Dallas for SOBcon, you would have to be on the platform . . . then we’d probably have to invite Brian Clark who lives down the street, don’t you think? This could be fun!! I know a restautant there in Turtle Creek that has the best White Burgundy and the food, and the food. Deliciouso!!

    Reply
  22. Renée says

    February 22, 2007 at 7:37 PM

    Oh Liz,

    I feel so guilty for not getting in contact with you after recieving that “behind-tht-scene” email. At least I could do was to congrat you guys. Please excuse my manners.

    How can I make it up to you?

    Reply
  23. Carolyn Manning says

    February 22, 2007 at 7:46 PM

    Liz, the new header is beautiful!

    Is there a reason you don’t have a trackback URL? (Or am I totally missing it?)

    Gotta go now. It’s time to put you into Blogs du Jour.

    Carolyn

    Reply
  24. ME Strauss says

    February 22, 2007 at 8:03 PM

    Renée
    What’s this with guilt? Thank you for the congratulations! Spread the news and let the world know that something exiting is going on! No guilt allowed. It’s just not necesary. 🙂

    Reply
  25. ME Strauss says

    February 22, 2007 at 8:04 PM

    Hi Carolyn,
    On wordpress themes, trackback are same as permalinks. You just click the title and take the address from the URL line of the browser — it’s that easy. 🙂

    Reply
  26. Renée says

    February 22, 2007 at 8:26 PM

    That’s very sweet of you!

    Will do that, Liz! I wish I could come, seriously! Just reading blogs is not enough, meeting outstanding bloggers like you guys certainly take blogging to the whole new level.

    Reply
  27. ME Strauss says

    February 22, 2007 at 9:11 PM

    Ah Renée !
    That would be so cool if you could be there. Your stories and your insights add so much to every discusstion that you take part in. Thank you for me bring my blog to a new level!

    Reply
  28. Renée says

    February 22, 2007 at 9:41 PM

    No Liz, It’s me to Thank You!

    You give me the opportunity to shine. You sure I deserve the credits and attention! 😉 I gotta be careful though, my petite frame might not be able to carry the weight of my head. hahaha!

    Reply
  29. ME Strauss says

    February 22, 2007 at 10:23 PM

    You don’t need to worry, Renée, you’re not prone to such self-indulgences. I know that you don’t your own PR too seriously. 🙂

    Reply
  30. Carolyn Manning says

    February 23, 2007 at 1:39 AM

    Boy, oh boy, is my face red. Didn’t realize it was that easy. Thanks, Liz.

    Reply
  31. irishlass says

    February 23, 2007 at 1:49 AM

    How great to come across your 5 point strategy. I was just at web pro world arguing that targeting the people you want to work with is better than seeking random traffic and you much more eloquently made my point. You are judged by the company you keep. Strive to connect with quality people and be generous with them and they’ll be good to you.

    Reply
  32. ME Strauss says

    February 23, 2007 at 4:37 AM

    Hi Carolyn!
    How wonderful to see you!
    It sounds easier than it is, but YOU have a great start with one author we both know! 🙂

    Reply
  33. ME Strauss says

    February 23, 2007 at 4:41 AM

    Hello Irishlass!
    Welcome!
    We are judged by the company we keep, aren’t we? Well said to remind us. I often say “We slowly become what we look at most.” That seems to go along with what you are saying.

    Targeting (not fond of that word — we need a new one) the people we want to work with only makes sense if we’re after true quality relationships. That’s sort of the same as researching companies we might invest in. 😛

    Reply
  34. Karin says

    February 23, 2007 at 5:02 AM

    Morning all (11 am here).

    Really to the point post Liz. Specially ‘smiled’ when I read point 3: short and snappy expaling what is sooo important in networks (and gives me the best ‘handle’ I ever found to explain my love for networking to my partner).

    Re point5: yep, found my great mentor (and good friend) through a network, would never have encountered him – in this ‘role’ – otherwise. I wasn’t looking for a mentor, realised with hindsight he offered all what he offers freely at the exact moment in time I needed it.

    Reply
  35. ME Strauss says

    February 23, 2007 at 5:10 AM

    Hi Karin,
    You know that you made this post happen by what you said yesterday. I had been thinking about it, but your comment mad it a certainty. I switched my scheduled to make it happen.

    #3 Who knows WHAT you know . . . is the crux of networking. the people who know and can tell other folks are those who can help or hurt us as we establish ourselves.

    Regarding your mentor — it’s hard to miss how highly you think of him. I’ve come believe that nearly all, if not all, mentors are around us waiting to be noticed, standing with their generosity. Not needing to have the role of mentor unless we need one, totally content to be a buden sharing friend.

    That mentor is a friend with more experience.

    Reply
  36. Karin says

    February 23, 2007 at 6:18 AM

    Amen

    Reply
  37. ME Strauss says

    February 23, 2007 at 6:21 AM

    I’m smiling. I wish you were in Chicago. Even more I wish I had an excuse to fly to London. 🙂

    Reply
  38. Mark Goodyear says

    February 23, 2007 at 9:03 AM

    Re “targeting people” for relationships–that does make it sound like we are going to shoot them rather than hang out with them.

    Re Karin’s mentor, I’m jealous.

    Reply
  39. Karin says

    February 23, 2007 at 9:10 AM

    Lol Mark (and thinks: and so you should be, but his mine, all mine)

    Re targeting people: I do imagine ‘shooting’ arrows of conversation attempts, the starting point (oh, that’s a thought) of any relationship

    Reply
  40. ME Strauss says

    February 23, 2007 at 9:14 AM

    Hi Mark!
    I know about “targeting people.” We also “shoot down candidates,” and say “I could kill you for doing that.” We have lots of violent words in what we say every day.

    Regarding Karin’s mentor . . . we grab right now — she’s between us — and hold her hostage until he agrees to meet us. 🙂

    Reply
  41. Karin says

    February 23, 2007 at 9:15 AM

    Oh no you don’t

    Reply
  42. ME Strauss says

    February 23, 2007 at 9:18 AM

    Oh darn! Slipped right through our fingers.
    Curses foiled again. 🙂

    Reply
  43. Mark Goodyear says

    February 23, 2007 at 9:39 AM

    I’m from Texas. We’ve got plenty of duct tape.

    Reply
  44. ME Strauss says

    February 23, 2007 at 9:46 AM

    I think she’s on to us. 🙂

    Reply
  45. Karin says

    February 23, 2007 at 9:47 AM

    Well, I’m from The Netherlands (originally) and we are used to ‘slipping’ through 😉

    But don’t worry, I promise I will share my mentor’s insight and knowledge with you all.

    Reply
  46. ME Strauss says

    February 23, 2007 at 9:50 AM

    Oh Mark, I guess, we’ll have to count on that.

    Thanks, Karin, we have you and that’s all that really counts! 🙂

    Reply
  47. Karin says

    February 23, 2007 at 9:52 AM

    Blush

    Reply
  48. ME Strauss says

    February 23, 2007 at 9:56 AM

    Oh Karin, there you go again, looking good in that color. 🙂

    Reply
  49. Karin says

    February 23, 2007 at 10:06 AM

    Nope, I look better in blue 🙂

    Reply
  50. ME Strauss says

    February 23, 2007 at 10:42 AM

    One is not exclusive from the other. 🙂

    Reply
  51. Karin says

    February 23, 2007 at 10:45 AM

    Your right (as always).

    Liz, sorry to ‘abuse’ your blog for this, but Mark: can’t find an email address of you (thank you for the trackback, but post is gone/not published yet?)

    Reply
  52. ME Strauss says

    February 23, 2007 at 10:56 AM

    Karin,
    i would never mind that from a regular reader like you. 🙂

    Reply

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