From the course: The Ultimate Guide to Professional Networking

A network that sustains you for years, through careers, businesses, and more

From the course: The Ultimate Guide to Professional Networking

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A network that sustains you for years, through careers, businesses, and more

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- Networking means playing the long game. This means when it comes to building your network, the goal is not to make a sale or simply add someone to your list of potential customers. In fact, don't think of the people in your network as potential customers at all. Instead think of them as potential awesome relationships that could last a lifetime. And out of that mindset will flow all of the future customers, partners, vendors, mentors, and advisors that you'll ever need. You find these folks in your tribe, and if you pick the right places to build and grow your tribe, you'll find that your clan will grow naturally out of that organic process of creating relationships. There are three reasons you want to persevere in building your network. The first is that your business plan will be the very people who will give you the wise advice that you need when you need it. There'll be the ones who refer you business or help you land a promotion or approach you to work for a new business venture. Second, without a great network, you're on your own. You're on an Island. That's not only a lonely way to do business, but it means you're missing out on the true value of a solid network. Finally, your network is going to function like a secret weapon. It will not only give you all the good stuff that comes from camaraderie, but it will also give you access to knowledge as well as people who will be there for you when you need them. If you launch your own business, for example, having a network that you've built over the years will pay off big. And if you want to make a career change, you'll have a host of people there to help you along the way. Be in this for the long haul that means taking notes, caring about the person you're talking to in the moment, taking the time to know what they're all about and knowing them well enough to refer them to a colleague with confidence. It might also be realizing that they really aren't in your tribe, and that's fine to simply focus on the people who are clearly in your tribe and your lifelong network will grow from there.

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