Growing Your Network & Net worth
- Malique Popkin
- May 2, 2020
- 2 min read
Many people say that your net worth is your network, so how do you continue to build it? It can definitely be a challenge, as you can easily get stuck in a routine with the same friends, same co-workers, and the same network. Building valuable relationships lead to the opening of many doors for you! Here are a few of our favorite suggestions.
Joining Your College Alumni Club
This is a great opportunity to connect with people across various industries that graduated from your college. Not only will you connect with people your age, but you will also get to meet recent grads as well as graduates several years your senior. You’ll be able to connect with individuals via various mediums such as luncheons, games, and happy hours. Most schools offer opportunities for alumni to connect at school games, social events, and community service initiatives. You never know what these relationships could turn into, you may meet your future client, business partner, or employer!
Utilizing LinkedIn
Last week we talked about creating a perfect LinkedIn profile, now we can utilize our profile to grow our network. LinkedIn gives you access to millions of like-minded professionals. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your connections and ask about their work experiences or career paths. You can even utilize LinkedIn to reconnect with previous contacts that you may have lost contact with overtime.
Expanding your Social Circle
Not all of your networking has to be so targeted and premeditated. Sometimes the best way to grow your professional network is just by making friends! So how do you go about making “friends”, I promise it won’t be like middle school! As a young adult, you can join an after-work kickball team, start or join an affinity group at work, join a book club, or start a club that appeals to you as well as others. Making new friends is one of the best networking tools, they’ll be able to open doors for you through introductions and other connections!
Knowledge is Key
Last but not least, knowledge is key! I know what you’re thinking, how can being knowledgeable grow my network? Well staying sharp and well informed in your industry will lead to people seeing you as an expert or a trusted source of information. You never know what conversations your name will come up in! You can grow your knowledge base by subscribing to a podcast, or newsletter!
Summary
Many see networking as a daunting task, but if you do it the right way, it can be very rewarding! Your network can, in fact, impact your net worth, the jobs you get, and the schools you attend; however, it’s deeper than that. Marketing expert Porter Gale said it best, “The new form of networking is not about climbing a ladder to success; it’s about collaboration, co-creation, partnerships, and long-term values-based relationships.” As you go on and make those connections and grow in your professional careers, it’s both what you know and who you know!
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