{"id":578507,"date":"2023-06-13T10:14:20","date_gmt":"2023-06-13T07:14:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/networking-for-the-modern-entrepreneur-strategies-for-building-your-professional-network\/"},"modified":"2023-06-13T10:14:20","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T07:14:20","slug":"networking-for-the-modern-entrepreneur-strategies-for-building-your-professional-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/networking-for-the-modern-entrepreneur-strategies-for-building-your-professional-network\/","title":{"rendered":"#Networking for the Modern Entrepreneur: Strategies for Building Your Professional Network"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3ccc1954356\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3ccc1954356\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/networking-for-the-modern-entrepreneur-strategies-for-building-your-professional-network\/#Dont_be_openly_transactional\" >Don\u2019t be openly transactional<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/networking-for-the-modern-entrepreneur-strategies-for-building-your-professional-network\/#Be_efficient_not_overextended\" >Be efficient, not overextended<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/networking-for-the-modern-entrepreneur-strategies-for-building-your-professional-network\/#Hone_a_high-value_presentation\" >Hone a high-value presentation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/networking-for-the-modern-entrepreneur-strategies-for-building-your-professional-network\/#Be_active_on_social_media\" >Be active on social media<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/networking-for-the-modern-entrepreneur-strategies-for-building-your-professional-network\/#But_face-to-face_is_still_the_gold_standard\" >But face-to-face is still the gold standard<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/networking-for-the-modern-entrepreneur-strategies-for-building-your-professional-network\/#Have_a_game_plan\" >Have a game plan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/networking-for-the-modern-entrepreneur-strategies-for-building-your-professional-network\/#Cultivate_mentorships_%E2%80%94_from_both_sides\" >Cultivate mentorships \u2014 from both sides<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/networking-for-the-modern-entrepreneur-strategies-for-building-your-professional-network\/#Dont_be_afraid_to_ask_for_help\" >Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/networking-for-the-modern-entrepreneur-strategies-for-building-your-professional-network\/#Dont_forget_to_follow_up_%E2%80%94_and_maintain\" >Don\u2019t forget to follow up \u2014 and maintain<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-inner\"> \n                            \n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The prospect of networking <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/listwithclever.com\/research\/stress-in-america-2023\">can be stressful<\/a>, especially when you\u2019re a new founder, and especially if you\u2019re not a naturally extroverted person. But building up your professional network is one of the most effective ways to spread awareness of your brand, make vital connections, and get access to the resources, expertise, and leadership you need to take your venture to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.realestatewitch.com\/2023-economic-outlook\/\">today&#8217;s economy<\/a>, entrepreneurs need every edge they can get. So how do you forge those important, authentic connections? It\u2019s probably not as difficult as you think. Let\u2019s go over some basic, proven strategies to build your network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_be_openly_transactional\"><\/span>Don\u2019t be openly transactional<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This tip might sound counterintuitive. After all, the whole point of networking is to advance your professional prospects by creating mutually beneficial relationships with people in your field. The phrase \u201cmutually beneficial\u201d itself implies an exchange (i.e., a transaction.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But people tend to react negatively if you make the transactional aspect of networking <em>too<\/em> obvious. The contemporary <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/forbescoachescouncil\/2022\/11\/30\/14-steps-to-take-to-build-a-strong-professional-network\/?sh=57fcc8cd755d\">model of networking<\/a> stresses relationships and helping, and downplays horse trading and asking, &#8220;What have you done for me lately?&#8221; Keep things casual and personal when you\u2019re networking, at least initially. Networking is like any other <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">social<\/a> interaction: Downplaying what you want isn\u2019t deceptive, it\u2019s simple courtesy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Be_efficient_not_overextended\"><\/span>Be efficient, not overextended<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Networking can feel like a burden, especially to the modern entrepreneur clocking 16-hour days. But networking can have such a galvanizing effect on your career that smart founders consider literally moving across the country just to get access to more valuable professional networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many experts suggest allocating a set amount of time per day or week to maintaining and developing your network \u2014 for example, one hour a day when you just touch base with high-value professional contacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>roach has two big benefits. One, you\u2019ll be consistently cultivating your network, and having a predetermined amount of time to devote to networking protects you from the possibility that it\u2019ll encroach on your time. Two, you\u2019ll be forced to concentrate on your most promising relationships, while phasing out less useful ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hone_a_high-value_presentation\"><\/span>Hone a high-value presentation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we mentioned above, effective networking involves forging mutually beneficial relationships. In <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/checkr.com\/resources\/articles\/2023-job-market-survey\">today\u2019s turbulent job market<\/a>, people are especially eager to network if you have something to offer them. Make your value clear by stating your current credentials and expertise on sites like LinkedIn, since that\u2019s where most networking contacts will check you out.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t make things too dry, though. A little personality will go a long way when it comes to making a favorable and memorable impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Be_active_on_social_media\"><\/span>Be active on social media<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many professional contacts will make a point of checking your social media accounts. Use these accounts to convey your professional and personal selves. Offer updates, insights, commentary, humor, and even innocuous content like photos of your pet or lunch. Remember, you\u2019re not just trying to impress people \u2014 you\u2019re also trying to endear yourself to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another tip when it comes to your social media accounts: Try to stay active on your main platforms by posting at least once per week. You want to present yourself as engaged and active \u2014 not mysterious and absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"But_face-to-face_is_still_the_gold_standard\"><\/span>But face-to-face is still the gold standard<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As engaging as social media and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/mailshake.com\/blog\/virtual-meeting\/\">Zoom meetings<\/a> can be, face-to-face networking is still the best way to make connections. So much of human communication is non-verbal, and things like body language and eye contact are as important, if not more important, than the words coming out of your mouth. It\u2019s tough, if not impossible, to forge an authentic connection without face-to-face contact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Have_a_game_plan\"><\/span>Have a game plan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you start networking, think hard about what you want to get out of it. Do you want to find a mentor or a collaborator? Are you trying to raise awareness of a new venture, expand the voice of an existing one, or consolidate your influence?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you understand your \u201cmission,\u201d you can think about who can help you achieve these goals, and what kind of skills and experience those people might have. At that point, it\u2019s just a matter of forging the relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cultivate_mentorships_%E2%80%94_from_both_sides\"><\/span>Cultivate mentorships \u2014 from both sides<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t forget, there are three \u201cdirections\u201d you can network in: upwards (people further along their career paths than you), laterally (your peers), and downwards (people not as far along in their career paths). You shouldn\u2019t neglect any of these levels!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most effective ways to leverage the diverse talents of these groups is through mentorships. Seeking out mentors can get you valuable access to institutional knowledge, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2007\/01\/how-leaders-create-and-use-networks\">leadership<\/a>, and specialized experience, while taking on mentees can give you valuable perspective, and cultivate contacts in the next generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_be_afraid_to_ask_for_help\"><\/span>Don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the more confusing truths about networking is that people don\u2019t like to be pestered or put upon, but they <em>do<\/em>, under the right circumstances, like to do things for people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why? There are a lot of reasons. Beyond the obvious benefit of reciprocity, doing a favor for someone also confers a feeling of virtuousness, and it provides an opportunity to demonstrate and exercise power. Asking someone to do something for you can actually be a great way to seal a new relationship. The trick, of course, is learning how to do it without imposing on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dont_forget_to_follow_up_%E2%80%94_and_maintain\"><\/span>Don\u2019t forget to follow up \u2014 and maintain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you\u2019ve made some contacts, don\u2019t neglect to follow up with them a few days later. Sending them a quick email or text, especially if it touches on something specific that you spoke about during your earlier interaction, is an incredibly effective way to cement your good impression. Social media is a great venue for this \u2014 a like or comment on one of their posts is an easy, low-maintenance way to create a moment of connection and awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But don\u2019t think that following up, or networking as a whole, is a &#8220;one-and-done&#8221; task. You should actively maintain and cultivate your network going forward. This means making regular contact, whether it\u2019s a quick chat at a convention or industry meeting, or an email just to check in on how things are going. If you wait too long between contacts, those connections and relationships you worked so hard to forget will fade away, and you\u2019ll be back at square one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Featured Photo by <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@productschool?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Product School<\/a> on <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/photos\/nOvIa_x_tfo?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText\">Unsplash<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n                            <\/div><br><div class=\"author-inner\">\n<p class=\"bio-name\">Melis Bayram<\/p>\n<div class=\"bio-desc\">\n    <\/div>\n<!-- social-link -->\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/general\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">General <\/a><\/span>category.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.noupe.com\/business-online\/networking-for-the-modern-entrepreneur.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The prospect of networking can be stressful, especially when you\u2019re a new founder, and especially if you\u2019re not a naturally extroverted person. But building up your professional network is one of the most effective ways to spread awareness of your brand, make vital connections, and get access to the resources, expertise, and leadership you need&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":578508,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.noupe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/product-school-nOvIa_x_tfo-unsplash-scaled.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[117,47746,87484,87414],"class_list":["post-578507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","tag-business","tag-entrepreneur","tag-entrepreneurship","tag-networking"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/578507","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=578507"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/578507\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/578508"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=578507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=578507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=578507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}