Your Network Is Not Your AudienceWhat happens after you meet somebody at a networking event?Do you start building a relationship, or accidentally turn them into a marketing target?In Episode 30 of Networking Nuggets, Keith explores the difference between having a commercial purpose for networking and treating every person you meet as a potential customer.He looks at why connection numbers can create an illusion of relationships, why not every conversation needs an immediate outcome, and why networking becomes much easier when we allow people to be people rather than prospects.Because someone doesn't have to buy from you to become a valuable part of your network, and sometimes a relationship doesn't have to produce anything commercially at all.This week's challenge is to choose one person in your network from whom you want absolutely nothing, then do something useful or thoughtful for them with no ask attached.This week's Networking Nugget:You can want networking to create opportunities without expecting every person you meet to be the opportunity.📘 From Awkward to Connected is available now on Amazon.Follow Networking Nuggets on LinkedIn for Keith's weekly newsletter and more practical ideas for building stronger business relationships.
Make Yourself Easy to HelpYour network may be perfectly willing to help you.But have you made it clear what helping you actually looks like?In Episode 29 of Networking Nuggets, Keith explores why vague requests such as “keep me in mind” create unnecessary work for the people around us, and why clear, specific, proportionate requests are much easier to act on.From referrals and introductions to advice, venues and recommendations, the episode looks at how to ask for help without becoming demanding or transactional.Keith also explores why asking isn't the opposite of generosity, why the size of the request should reflect the strength of the relationship, and why good networking always leaves room for someone to say no.The challenge this week is simple: identify one thing your network could genuinely help with, then make the request clear enough that somebody knows exactly what they could do.This week's Networking Nugget:If you want your network to help you, make yourself easy to help.📘 From Awkward to Connected is available now on Amazon.Follow Networking Nuggets on LinkedIn for Keith's weekly newsletter and more practical ideas for building stronger business relationships.
Stop Trying to Meet EveryoneDo you leave a networking event wondering whether you spoke to enough people?Perhaps that's the wrong measure.In Episode 28 of Networking Nuggets, Keith challenges the idea that successful networking means working the room, collecting as many contacts as possible or speaking to everyone before you leave.Instead, he explores what can happen when we slow down, stay present and concentrate on having conversations that are actually worth remembering.Because speaking to 25 people isn't necessarily better networking than having five meaningful conversations.There's also a practical challenge for your next event: forget trying to meet everybody and aim for three conversations worth remembering.This week's Networking Nugget:Don't try to meet everyone. Try to have conversations worth continuing.📘 From Awkward to Connected is available now on Amazon.Follow Networking Nuggets on LinkedIn for Keith's weekly newsletter and more practical ideas for building stronger business relationships.
Who used to be part of your network that you haven't spoken to for ages?There wasn't an argument. Nobody fell out. You simply... stopped talking.In this episode of Networking Nuggets, Keith looks at the relationships that quietly drift away while we're busy concentrating on meeting new people.Networking isn't only about making new connections. Sometimes there are people already in our networks with whom we've built history, understanding and perhaps trust, but life and business have simply got in the way.Keith explores why reconnecting doesn't need an elaborate excuse, why it shouldn't be an opportunity for an immediate sales pitch, and why a simple “I realised we haven't spoken for ages, how are things?” can be enough to restart a relationship.There's also a simple challenge: find one person you haven't spoken to for a while and send them a message - with no sales pitch, no referral request and no agenda other than being genuinely interested in how they're getting on.This week's Networking Nugget:Some of the best people to add to your network may already be in it. You just haven't spoken to them for a while.
“I know someone you should meet.”Those six words can create all sorts of opportunities, but there's more to making a valuable introduction than putting two email addresses into the CC box.In this episode of Networking Nuggets, Keith looks at how to make thoughtful introductions by asking permission, providing context and then allowing the two people you've connected to decide what happens next.He also explores the trust behind a recommendation. Knowing somebody who provides a particular service isn't necessarily the same as knowing them well enough to confidently put them in front of one of your customers or contacts.And sometimes the best introductions are the ones where there's absolutely nothing in it for you.There's also a simple challenge: think of two people in your network who could genuinely benefit from knowing each other. Ask permission, explain why you're connecting them, make the introduction - then get out of the way.This week's Networking Nugget:A referral isn't just an introduction. It's a small transfer of trust.