A secret cheat code for better Networking [Storytime Saturdays]
When it comes to meeting interesting people, few activities beat this.
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As the old adage goes, your network is your net worth. Whether personally or professionally- business is conducted with other people. Being able to establish and leverage connections with other people is non-negotiable:
When we studied 165 lawyers at a large North American law firm, for example, we found that their success depended on their ability to network effectively both internally (to get themselves assigned to choice clients) and externally (to bring business into the firm). Those who regarded these activities as distasteful and avoided them had fewer billable hours than their peers.
In today’s post, I will be sharing one of the most powerful methods for networking with people. Use this to skip the awkward small talk at networking events, directly establish deeper personal connections, and meet some awesome people. I use this modality for networking a lot, and it works even with my nomadic lifestyle. And unlike sports (where much of the relationship building happens off the field)- you can have conversations while engaging in this modality. Thus, from a networking perspective, this modality hits all the right boxes-
It will help you meet the right people.
It will allow you to establish relationships quickly.
It’s time efficient.
And you will feel good about it.
So, what is this super amazing technique? And how can you get started? Let’s get right into it.
The best way to network
What is it- Simply put, it’s volunteering. Wherever you are, find a group of people who meet up regularly to tackle something that you care about. It can be feeding the homeless, cleaning up locally, advocacy for an issue, gardening/food safety, etc.
Why Volunteering is a hack for networking- There are several interesting features around volunteering that make it such a potent networking tool-
Sample Selection bias- The people volunteering are more likely to be helpful, better off financially, and share passions with you. Them volunteers is high-quality people,
Biology- When we do something good for others, it makes us feel good. When people feel good around you, they will associate you with positive feelings. This means that even if you’re not particularly charming (personally, I can be a bit of a recluse), people will still like you by association.
Conversation Starter- You can use the organization you’re volunteering at to open a few doors. You can reach out to any business/group in your area, tell me them that you are hoping to raise awareness/support about your group, and use that to setup 10–15-minute conversations with the supervisors/employees. Want a referral at one of the big tech companies? Try this trick out to connect with some of the employees (this was one of the secrets to how I grew AI Made Simple so quickly).
What to look for- If you want to use this to network professionally, keep in mind that not all volunteering groups are created equal. You want to look for groups with the following properties-
They meet regularly (atleast once a week) at a consistent time/place. This will allow you to build relations with the same people (aka making friends).
The people there comprise of lots of volunteers as opposed to being employees of the charity/advocacy group. That way you can directly interact with a wide array of professionals.
While I would not recommend picking activities only for their ‘networking value’, it helps to be smart with the activities you pick. Try out a bunch of groups and evaluate their demographics.
What to do- Once you have figured out where/when you will be volunteering, do the following steps-
Aim for a few connects- As with all things, quality »quantity. Don’t try to be best friends with everyone there, it probably won’t happen. Instead prioritize building deeper relationships with a few people there. These are the people who will do more for you.
Show up regularly- Relationship building can’t be rushed. You will have to build up some familiarity before you can start calling in favors. Don’t be in a rush to get returns.
Go offsite- To build deeper relationships, you will need to spend more time with people. This can be accomplished by asking people to join you in external activities. If possible, make these group activities with multiple people. I am extremely introverted, so long social interactions can be tiring for me. Group activities allow me to retreat inwards and significantly reduce the burden of socialization on me.
Volunteer genuinely- So far, I’ve presented a mostly sociopathic argument for volunteering. But keep in mind if you’re only there to sell, you will turn people off. As with my advice around developing technical skills, doing what you find interesting will allow you to stick to things long term.
If you’re not doing this already, make sure you give volunteering a shot. It will bring all kinds of benefits into your life.
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