52 F
Oxford

Heaton: How to Build a Professional Network

Build-your-Network-Large
Building a professional network is — well, hard work. If it was easy, Bill Gates and Hugh Freeze would be in everyone’s phone. There is an art to building a network, here are the five steps to building yours.
Step 1: The ten roles your network needs

  1. Mentor: a person who fills your knowledge gaps and allows you to ask the “stupid” questions.
  2. Coach: a person to help you through challenges with a great degree of honest assessment.
  3. Industry Insider: a member of industry (or group) that has limited (or restricted) access.
  4. Trendsetter: someone who starts trends, is an early adopter, or the catalyst for popular trends.
  5. Connector: a person who breaks down barriers by using their eclectic contacts.
  6. Idealist: someone who sets the priority of ideals and principles over career objectives.
  7. Realist: a person who is concerned primarily with the success or failure of objectives.
  8. Visionary: a person of imagination and original ideas.
  9. Partner: a friend who shares a common interest in, or participates in, achieving a common goal
  10. Aspirant: an ambitious person who strives for high career goals or recognition.

Step 2: Find the individuals to fill those ten roles LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are excellent tools for finding out who knows who and making connections. Pay special attention to Linkedin’s groups and Facebooks’s pages. Find your Alumni groups and websites. Look online for articles and use online news search features to stay updated on your target network individuals. It’s very important to use all of the media types for research. Use your connections from the list to target the unfilled roles in your network.
Like Linkedin, your connections may be broken down into three tiers:1106-connect_standard_600x400
Tier-One Contacts These are the people you know best – colleagues, alumni, people who you have befriended or done community service. Note: when you make contact, have a goal. Be brief: requesting that you would appreciate advice, assistance, recommendations or referrals. Don’t ask for a job. Don’t send a resume unless asked. If a resume is requested, make sure you include a cover letter that outlines your goals. Always send a “thank-you” note.
Tier-Two Contacts These are people you know casually. Fill in the knowledge gaps with research from Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter and web-searches. Your conversation will be more formal than with your tier-one contacts, but your objective is the same — to quickly communicate advice wanted in an informal setting. Always send a “thank-you” note.
Tier-Three Contacts Ask your tier one contacts if they can recommend someone to fill a specific role in your network. If not, use Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, other social media, and web-searches to find common interests and connections. Try reaching out one role at a time by all means: email, phone, social network and snail-mail. Find out what is important to your target person so that you may contribute to what is important to them. Set daily goals for contact, but know when to back off. Always send a “thank-you” note.
Step 3: Have a Networking Campaign Plan
As with most endeavors, you will be more successful if you have a plan, A campaign plan will also help you keep track of what you’ve promised, and what you’ve accomplished.
Some important tips:

  • The best network has both business and social connections from varied backgrounds.
  • Observe high standards of networking etiquette and manners.
  • Find the preferred contact method (phone, email, Facebook, etc) for each contact.
  • Always respect your contact’s privacy.
  • Get approval before you use a person’s name as a referral.
  • Make sure you call people at times that are convenient for them.
  • Ask your network contacts for their help or advice, not for a job.

shutterstock_94209826Managing your campaign with a network database
Don’t panic! The “database” can be a stack of index cards, but it’s vital to do this. Once you’ve developed your list of contacts and determined how to connect with each individual, set up a system to track all your calls, contacts and follow-up commitments. It can be PC-based, on paper, or a combination. Warning: you will get lost in the process and consequently lose contacts right off if you don’t have a network database. Remember that first impressions are key so that you don’t want to forget about commitments you have made.
Note: all social media have prime times. The best time to communicate with LinkedIn and Twitter is Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. Facebook’s prime time is the weekend, 6 to 8 a.m. and 2 to 5 p.m.
Networking is a challenge. The biggest part of it is psychological. Keep in mind that: “It can’t hurt to ask”. Most people enjoy being asked for help and are flattered to be asked for advice — if not, then it’s time to look for another person to fill that role. Easy enough!
Step 4: Making contact
Using your research, you will be able to offer your skills, expertise, and other contributions to your target connection. Share what you know and your resources. Offer insights, perspective, and feedback. Ask people in your existing network if they are aware of individuals with similar interests or who have what you are looking for, then ask if they would make an initial contact on your behalf.
Some Important Tips:
Give first, and keep giving. You should know by now what is important to your target connection, so begin reaching out to help them. This will prove that you are one of them. The people you want in your network will determinately find out how to help you too.
Be patient — it will take time to establish yourself. As you build your network of contacts make sure that you are generous with those who deserve your time. Observe high standards of networking etiquette and manners.
Pay it forward. Offer help to others and it will come back to you ten-fold. Always do your best work, even pro-Bono, because it’s your reputation. Show your contacts at every level that you are a talented and generous professional.
Project professionalism so that you will attract like-minded professionals. As you gain experience over time, you’ll quickly learn how to weed out the “takers” from the “givers.” The professionals will be the givers and the ones you want to keep as contacts.
Make it easy for people to find you. Spend the money for professional business cards. A true professional’s business card is simple and clean. No fancy icons or logos—just contact information.
Just as the people in your network have their preferred communication methods, they have preferred ways to save your contact information. Make sure you have all your contact information on all social media.
Avoid These Mistakes:
Asking for help before you need it, and not knowing what you need. Learn patience and focus on professionalism and giving. You never know where helping your contacts will lead.
Over contacting. It’s a fine line to know how much is too much. But, it helps if you make detailed notes on when / how the person prefers to be contacted by making note of the times that person got back to you. Everyone has their preferences, this is where your network database is important.
Step 5: Keep in contact
The real challenge is to take those casual relationships and build them into a network that is a strong fan base for you. Make it about others. Share other people’s stories. Promote other people’s projects. Volunteer for other people’s visions. Assist in other people’s ambition. Put other people first. Trust me – making your network about paying it forward will make it grow powerful.
Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others. Hold volunteer positions in organizations. Stay visible and give back to groups that have helped you. Be a powerful resource for others. When you are known as a strong resource, people remember to turn to you for suggestions, ideas, and help. This keeps you visible to a multiplier effect of people outside of your current network.
Remember that good manners, etiquette and “thank-you” go a long way. A powerful network isn’t about numbers — it’s about the relationships behind those numbers. Be a genuine, thoughtful person so that your ten networking roles are filled by your highly motivated fans.
Final Tips
It helps to have a firm handshake, good eye contact, be well-read, up on current events, curious, energetic, entrepreneurial, adept in social situations, have a positive attitude, and to know a couple of good jokes. There is one social skill that stands above the rest: the ability to empathize with whomever you’re speaking. The people you want in your network will determinately find out how to help you too. Remember the five Ups: Sign Up! Read Up! Show Up! Listen UP and Follow UP. It’s never to early to start.
Acknowledgments
Harold Burson’s wisdom on the importance of building a network was the inspiration for this article. Mr. Burson is an Ole Miss Alumni, the Founding Chairman of the Burson-Marsteller firm, and is regarded by his peers as “the most influential Public Relations figure of the 20th century.” For more of Mr. Burson’s insights, visit his blog.
Tim Heaton is a HottyToddy.com contributor and can be reached at tim.h.heaton@gmail.com.

Most Popular

Recent Comments

scamasdscamith on News Watch Ole Miss
Frances Phillips on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Grace Hudditon on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Millie Johnston on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Binary options + Bitcoin = $ 1643 per week: https://8000-usd-per-day.blogspot.com.tr?b=46 on Beta Upsilon Chi: A Christian Brotherhood
Jay Mitchell on Reflections: The Square
Terry Wilcox SFCV USA RET on Oxford's Five Guys Announces Opening Date
Stephanie on Throwback Summer
organized religion is mans downfall on VP of Palmer Home Devotes Life to Finding Homes for Children
Paige Williams on Boyer: Best 10 Books of 2018
Keith mansel on Cleveland On Medgar Evans
Debbie Nader McManus on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: The Last of His Kind
Richard Burns on A William Faulkner Sighting
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Ruby Begonia on Family Catching Rebel Fever
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
jeff the busy eater on Cooking With Kimme: Baked Brie
Travis Yarborough on Reflections: The Square
BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH on Oxford is About to Receive a Sweet Treat
baby travel systems australia on Heaton: 8 Southern Ways to Heckle in SEC Baseball
Rajka Radenkovich on Eating Oxford: Restaurant Watch
Richard Burns on Reflections: The Square
Guillermo Perez Arguello on Mississippi Quote Of The Day
A Friend with a Heavy Heart on Remembering Dr. Stacy Davidson
Harold M. "Hal" Frost, Ph.D. on UM Physical Acoustics Research Center Turns 30
Educated Citizen on Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
Debbie Crenshaw on Trump’s Tough Road Ahead
Treadway Strickland on Wicker Looks Ahead to New Congress
Tony Ryals on parking
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
C. Scott Fischer on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Sylvia Williams on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Will Patterson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Rick Henderson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
George L Price on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
on
Morgan Shands on Cleveland: On Ed Reed
Richard McGraw on Cleveland: On Cissye Gallagher
Branan Southerland on Gameday RV Parking at HottyToddy.com
Tom and Randa Baddley on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
26 years and continuously learning on Ole Miss Puts History In Context With Plaque
a Paterson on Beyond Barton v. Barnett
Phil Higginbotham on ‘Unpublished’ by Shane Brown
Bettina Willie@www.yahoo.com.102Martinez St.Batesville,Ms.38606 on Bomb Threat: South Panola High School Evacuated This Morning
Anita M Fellenz, (Emilly Hoffman's CA grandmother on Ole Miss Spirit Groups Rank High in National Finals
Marilyn Moore Hughes on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
Jaqundacotten@gmail williams on HottyToddy Hometown: Hollandale, Mississippi
Finney moore on Can Ole Miss Grow Too Big?
diane faulkner cawlley on Oxford’s Olden Days: Miss Annie’s Yard
Phil Higginbotham on ‘November 24’ by Shane Brown
Maralyn Bullion on Neely-Dorsey: Hog Killing Time
Beth Carr on A Letter To Mom
Becky on A Letter To Mom
Marilyn Tinnnin on A Letter To Mom
Roger ulmer on UM Takes Down State Flag
Chris Pool on UM Takes Down State Flag
TampaRebel on UM Takes Down State Flag
david smith on UM Takes Down State Flag
Boyd Harris on UM Takes Down State Flag
Jim (Herc @ UM) on Cleveland: Fall Vacations
Robert Hollingsworth on Rebels on the Road: Memphis Eateries
David McCullough on Shepard Leaves Ole Miss Football
Gayle G. Henry on Meet Your 2015 Miss Ole Miss
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Neely-Dorsey: Elvis Presley’s Big Homecoming
Jennifer Mooneyham on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Wes McIngvale on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
BARRY MCCAMMON on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
Laughing out Loud on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Dr.Bill Priester on Cleveland: On Bob Priester
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
paulette holmes langbecker on Cofield on Oxford – Rising Ole Miss Rookie
Ruth Shipp Yarbrough on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Karllen Smith on ‘Rilee’ by Shane Brown
Jean Baker Pinion on ‘The Cool Pad’ by Shane Brown
Janet Hollingsworth (Cavanaugh) on John Cofield on Oxford: A Beacon
Proud Mississippi Voter on Gunn Calls for Change in Mississippi Flag
Deloris Brown-Thompson on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Sue Ellen Parker Stubbs on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Karen fowler on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Don't Go to Law School on Four Legal Rebels Rising in the Real World
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
Joanne and Mark Wilkinson on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Mary Ellen (Dring) Gamble on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Cyndy Carroll on Filming it Up in Mississippi
Dottie Dewberry on Top 10 Secret Southern Sayings
Brother Everett Childers on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Mark McElreath on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Bill Wilkes, UM '57, '58, '63 on A Letter from Chancellor Dan Jones
Sandra Caffey Neal on Mississippi Has Proud Irish Heritage
Teresa Enyeart, and Terry Enyeat on Death of Ole Miss Grad, U.S. Vet Stuns Rebel Nation
P. D. Fyke on Wells: Steelhead Run
Johnny Neumann on Freeze Staying with Rebels
Maralyn Bullion on On Cooking Southern: Chess Pie
Kaye Bryant on Henry: E. for Congress
charles Eichorn on Hotty Tamales, Gosh Almighty
Jack of All Trades on Roll Over Bear Bryant
w nadler on Roll Over Bear Bryant
Stacey Berryhill on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
John Appleton on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Charlotte Lamb on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Two True Mississippi Icons
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Jeanette Berryhill Wells on HottyToddy Hometown: Senatobia, Mississippi
Tire of the same ole news on 3 "Must Eat" Breakfast Spots in Oxford
gonna be a rebelution on Walking Rebel Fans Back Off the Ledge
Nora Jaccaud on Rickshaws in Oxford
Martha Marshall on Educating the Delta — Or Not
Nita McVeigh on 'I'm So Oxford' Goes Viral
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on How a Visit to the Magnolia State Can Inspire You
Charlie Fowler Jr. on Prawns? In the Mississippi Delta?
Martha Marshall on A Salute to 37 Years of Sparky
Sylvia Hartness Williams on Oxford Approves Diversity Resolution
Jerry Greenfield on Wine Tip: Problem Corks
Cheryl Obrentz on I Won the Lottery! Now What?
Bnogas on Food for the Soul
Barbeque Memphis on History of Tennessee Barbecue
Josephine Bass on The Delta and the Civil War
Nicolas Morrison on The Walking Man
Pete Williams on Blog: MPACT’s Future
Laurie Triplette on On Cooking Southern: Fall Veggies
Harvey Faust on The Kream Kup of the Krop
StarReb on The Hoka
Scott Whodatty Keetereaux Keet on Hip Hop — Yo or No, What’s Your Call
Johnathan Doeman on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
Andy McWilliams on The Warden & The Chief
Kathryn McElroy on Think Like A Writer
Claire Duff Sullivan on Alert Dogs Give Diabetics Peace of Mind
Jesse Yancy on The Hoka
Jennifer Thompson Walker on Ole Miss, Gameday From The Eyes of a Freshman
HottyToddy.com