Three Ways to Engage Your Network

Second to your reputation, your network is, perhaps, the most valuable tool in your professional toolbelt. Networks are not simply formed and left to thrive on their own in perpetuity. They must be constantly nurtured in order to flourish. Without nourishment, they quickly wither and become meaningless.

In order to engage your network, you must truly know your network. Keep notes associated with your contacts so that you can easily recall the information you learn about them. What type of business are they in? What's currently on their professional radar? What did they share about themselves personally? This information will enable you to engage with your contacts in ways that relevant to them.

As you travel through each day, keep your network top of mind. How can your experiences help those in your network? How can you nurture and truly enhance the value that you bring to your contacts, which will in turn increase the value that your contacts may bring to you?

1. Introductions – Making introductions among those in your network is invaluable. Helping your contacts meaningfully expand their networks in curated and intentional ways helps them develop new business, meet referral sources, brainstorm opportunities and so much more. Weak ties become strong ties and lead to new weak ties for each of your contacts. Before you make any introductions, however, seek permission from both people, especially in the case when only one of the people will benefit from the introduction. Perhaps they've already been introduced, or there's a conflict present or maybe they just don't have free time currently. Whatever the case, give your contacts the ability to opt-out of the introduction or take a rain check.

2. Invitations – Extending invitations of all kinds is a great way to actively engage with your network. Whether you are inviting contacts to events that you are hosting or events going on in the industry and/or community (regardless if you are attending), your generosity lets your contacts know that they remain top of mind and that you are plugged into things that may interest them. This can include seminars, conferences, roundtable discussions, cocktail parties and everything in-between – both in person (sometime soon) and virtually. It demonstrates that you are in the know and that you are working to keep them equally informed.

3. Information – The conversations you have, news you read and concepts you learn each day create a wealth of information, much of which will benefit your network. Sharing that information makes you a valuable piece of the puzzle information such as new deals on the horizon, changes in law and legislation, new interpretations of longstanding rulings and so on, all benefit your network.

Engaging your network is one of the greatest ways to scale your business. Doing so genuinely and authentically makes that engagement and that scaling more enjoyable and fluid, likely with a greater return. Lean into your network and enjoy the journey with them. It’s sure to lead to great things.