Posted By Donna Fisher on April 8, 2009

Everyone has a vast and powerful network. And yet without action, your network is like a field of grain that never gets harvested. Your network consists of a wealth of information, ideas and contacts that can be of tremendous value to yourself and others.  To harvest your network requires taking appropriate action to access the information and pass it along to the right people in a timely and professional manner. 

Action steps for effective networking include:

· Introducing people to one another. Introducing people to one another is like planting the seed. You take the initiative to connect two people together and they have the potential to grow the connection into new possibilities.

· Making requests. Ask for information, names, ideas, support, encouragement, recommendations and so on.  

· Sending notes. Sending cards, letters, and emails help you stay in touch with people and keep the networking links open.  It is also a way of nurturing the “seed” that you have planted so that the relationship can grow into more networking opportunities.

· Attending community, professional and networking events. Step up and show up.  Be engaged in what’s going on in your community and industry.

· Exchanging business cards. Have the exchange of business cards be a natural part of the conversation.

· Giving information, contacts and referrals.  Be proactive and look for ways to give and share the information that you have with others.  

· Placing profiles on online social networking site. Choose where you want to network online and set up your profiles so that it is easy for people to connect with you.

· Responding to people’s requests. Listen to what people are saying and pay attention when they make a request so that you can tap into your network of resources to help them make a powerful connection.

Nurture your network with offers, introductions, requests, and thank you notes and you will start to see your network grow and blossom into new opportunities for yourself and others.

Categories: Networking
Tags: business cards, Networking, networking events, profiles, social networking