Professional Network Expansion

Stop networking like it's your first day on the job Whether youre an entrepreneur, employee, student, stay-at-home parent, or job seeker, we all need a network. Think of it like a garden youve got to nurture it to see it grow. Here's how to build yours: 1) Find Your People Look for groups with common interests: business networks, entrepreneurial circles, mums' groups, volunteer organisations, or sports teams. Show up in-person or online and get to know everyone. 2) Master the Art of Conversation Master your one-minute intro: Who are you? What do you do? Whats your business about? And who do you serve? Ask questions and show genuine interest in their lives, work, hobbies, and dreams. People love talking about themselves! 3) Be the Helper Dont be the person who shoves business cards and sales pitches at everyone yuck! Find ways to help: introduce them to useful contacts, share valuable insights, or promote their business on social media. You could even answer questions in groups with your expertise, not a sales link or "DM me" reply. The Result By consistently being that person who helps or offers value, you build trust and strengthen your relationships. You will find that this approach naturally leads to others advocating for you, even without direct requests. The best part? When you eventually do need support, you'll find a network eager to assist. What's your best networking tips? to boost your network with these tips!

I watched a talented professional send 127 follow-up emails after interviews. Got replies from 3 companies. 2.3% response rate. Then she showed me what she was writing. I immediately knew why recruiters ignored her. Here's the truth about follow-ups: Most people remind recruiters they're desperate. Not that they're valuable. The typical follow-up: "Just checking in on my application..." "Any updates on the timeline?" Translation: "Please don't forget I exist." Recruiters read anxiety, not confidence. After years of coaching professionals, I've noticed: The follow-ups that get responses don't ASK for updates. They DELIVER value. Stop following up on YOUR need. Start following up with THEIR solution. Think: What problem did they mention? What insight can I share? How can I make their decision easier? One client rewrote her follow-up: Instead of: "Any updates on the position?" She wrote "Hi [HR Manager Name ], been thinking about the bandwidth challenge you mentioned. Found an approach that might helpsimilar to what I used before. Would love to share if useful. Recruiter replied within hours. She shifted from "remember me?" to "I'm already solving your problems." The difference between ignored and responded follow-ups? One reminds them you're waiting. The other reminds them why they need you. Your follow-up isn't about checking their timeline. It's about them seeing you as the solution they can't ignore. People who add value get calls back. People who add pressure get silence. Stop checking in. Start showing up as the answer. PS: For more such content subscribe to my newsletter. Check out my feature section.

What if the most powerful business connections arent made behind a screen, but in the energy of a handshake? Why I stepped out from Behind the algorithm: My NIA Networking Experience! As a founder obsessed with impact over noise, Ive always believed in the power of digital networking. But today, standing at Network In Action (NIA), I was reminded:offline networking isnt just a throwback, its a strategic advantage. In a world where LinkedIn algorithms, hashtags, and DMs drive our daily connections, its easy to forget the irreplaceable value of face-to-face interaction. Heres what I learned from stepping into the room: Authenticity is magnetic:Online, we optimize for impressions. Offline, we optimize forimpression. Every handshake, every genuine conversation, forges trust at a speed no DM can match. Serendipity drives growth:Algorithms show us what we should see. In-person events introduce us to what wenever knew we needed, unexpected partnerships, fresh perspectives, and real-time feedback. Community > Contacts:Its not just about collecting business cards or LinkedIn connections. Its about building a network that roots for your growth, shares your vision, and challenges your thinking. Online vs. Offline Networking: A Quick Reality Check Online Networking -Algorithm-driven visibility -Scalable, global reach -Quick connections, slow trust -Data analytics Offline Networking -Human-driven credibility -Deep, memorable engagement -Instant rapport, lasting impact -Emotional intelligence Both worlds matter. But if you want to build a brand thats unforgettable, blend digital reach with real-world relationships. My takeaway for founders & leaders: If youre building a business in 2025, dont just chase metrics, chasemeaningful moments. Show up where your industry gathers. Shake hands. Share stories. Let your presence do the talking. The future of business networking isnt just virtual or physical, itshybrid. And those who master both will own the next wave of growth. How are you blending online and offline networking to fuel your business? Drop your best tips or stories below, Im all ears! #BusinessNetworking #Leadership #PersonalBranding #Entrepreneurship #GrowthMindset #NetworkingEvents #LinkedInGrowth #FounderLife #pactOverNoise

Years ago, I watched one of the best enterprise salespeople I've ever known lose a million-dollar deal simply because " ' ". This brilliant, capable professional was letting million-dollar opportunities slip away because she was afraid of seeming aggressive. Sound familiar? Here's the reality I've found after analyzing thousands of sales interactions: The average B2B purchase requires 8+ touches before a response, but most salespeople give up after 2-3. ' -' . Working with clients across industries, I've developed what some have called the "Goldilocks Sequence" not too aggressive, not too passive, but just right for maximizing response rates without alienating prospects. It starts with how we view follow-ups. Stop thinking of them as "checking in" and start seeing them as opportunities to deliver additional value. For each client, we build what I call a "Follow-Up Content Library" with 5-10 genuinely valuable resources for each buyer persona a mix of their content and third-party research addressing likely challenges. Having this ready means follow-ups can pull the most relevant resource based on the specific situation. The sequence itself has a rhythm designed to respect the prospect's time while staying on their radar: is the initial value-focused outreach with a specific insight (never generic "I'd like to connect" language). Around , we send a gentle bump, forwarding the original email with: "I wanted to make sure this reached you. Any thoughts on the [specific insight]?" It's brief and assumes positive intent. By , we shift to an alternative channel like LinkedIn, with a personalized note referencing the insight, but still no meeting request. Around comes the pure value-add sharing a relevant resource with no ask attached: "Came across this [article/case study] that addresses the [challenge] we discussed. Thought you might find it valuable regardless of our conversation." brings what I call the "pattern interrupt" a brief email with an unexpected subject line and single-question format that's easy to respond to. Then, around Day 18, we send the "permission to close" message: "I'm sensing this might not be a priority right now. If that's the case, could you let me know if I should check back in the future? Happy to remove you from my follow-up list otherwise." This sequence generated a 34% response rate for an enterprise software client compared to their previous 11% using traditional methods. The key difference? Every touch adds legitimate value rather than just asking for time. And because it's systematic, it removes the emotional weight of deciding when and how to follow up. What's your most effective follow-up technique? I'm always collecting new approaches to share with clients. #SalesFollowUp #OutreachStrategy #PipelineGeneration

. I learned this sitting at a board dinner in Sydney - the only woman among twelve men. The chairman mentioned they couldn't find female directors. Days earlier, I had met five board-ready women actively seeking directorships. This disconnect revealed everything wrong with how we approach professional advancement. A few truths about real networking: Casual connections rarely create opportunities Random events waste valuable time Most networking advice focuses on quantity over quality determines advancement more than talent. Our research shows fewer than 5% of ASX and NASDAQ companies have balanced leadership. This persists because: The system serves itself, not talent. Generic networking preserves existing hierarchies. Good networkers often make terrible leaders. Here's what actually works: Start with your end goal Identify specific decision-makers Create value before asking favors Track every promising connection One champion outweighs 100 contacts Quality of connections beats quantity Measure results, not activity Help others reach their goals Build reputation through results Create new pathways to leadership At Ellect, we tested this framework: Results after 5 events: - 3 women secured board interviews - 2 received executive offers - 90% made advancement-focused connections . . The difference drives everything. https://lnkd.in/etjAFXks

"I hate networking." I hear this all the time. And I get it. The idea of walking up to strangers at events, making small talk, and asking for favors feels forced and uncomfortable. But here's the truth: networking doesn't have to feel like networking. Here's how to build genuine connections without being awkward: Start with warm connections. Don't cold message strangers on LinkedIn. Start with: Former colleagues Alumni from your school Mutual contacts who can introduce you People you've worked with before These conversations are easier because there's already a foundation. Lead with offering value, not asking for favors. Don't start with: "Can you help me find a job?" Start with: "I saw your post about [topic] and thought you might find this article interesting." Or: "Congratulations on your new role! I'd love to hear how it's going." Give first. Ask later. Use LinkedIn to build relationships before asking for anything. Don't send a connection request and immediately ask for something. Instead: Engage with their posts (thoughtful comments, not just "Great post!") Share their content when it's relevant Send a message just to catch up, no agenda Build the relationship over time. When you do reach out, make it easy for them. Don't say: "Can I pick your brain?" Say: "I'd love to hear about your experience at [Company]. Would you be open to a 20-minute coffee chat? I'm happy to work around your schedule." Be specific about what you're asking for and respect their time. Schedule "informational coffee chats" instead of calling it networking. Reframe it in your mind. You're not networking. You're: Learning from someone's experience Having a conversation about your industry Building a relationship with someone interesting Take the pressure off yourself. Follow up and stay in touch; don't just reach out when you need something. After the conversation: Send a thank you note within 24 hours Share an article or resource they might find useful Check in every few months (congratulate them on wins, share updates) Stay on their radar in a genuine way. The best networking doesn't feel transactional. It feels like building real relationships with people you respect. And those relationships? They're the ones that actually lead to opportunities. Save this post so you're ready to network without the awkwardness.

The most effective networkers understand a fundamental principle that distinguishes meaningful professional relationships from transactional interactions: they prioritize contributing value before seeking assistance. Effective networking strategies focus on mutual benefit: Pre-Event Research: Identifying attendees and understanding their professional challenges, recent achievements, or industry focus areas where you might offer insights or connections. Value-Forward Conversations: Initiating discussions around industry trends, sharing relevant resources, or offering introductions to valuable contacts rather than immediately discussing personal career needs. Strategic Follow-Up: Connecting post-event with thoughtful resources, articles, or introductions that address specific challenges discussed, rather than generic LinkedIn requests. Long-Term Relationship Building: Maintaining consistent, value-driven contact with your network through sharing relevant opportunities, insights, or connections throughout the year. This approach transforms networking from a series of favor requests into genuine relationship building that creates reciprocal value over time. Professionals who consistently offer value before seeking assistance develop networks that actively support their career advancement because those relationships are built on mutual benefit rather than one-sided need. The strongest professional networks emerge when individuals position themselves as resources for others' success rather than solely focusing on their own advancement needs. What strategies have you found most effective for creating mutually beneficial professional relationships? Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #networking #professionalnetworking #relationshipbuilding #careerstrategist

Founder-Led Sales Bootcamp #18: The anti-follow-up follow-up Lets face it - most follow-ups are awful You know the one: Just checking in to see if you had a chance to review Its lazy, adds no value, and gets ignored. And yet, we all do it. Heres the truth: deals dont die because of price or competition nearly as often as they die because people just dont follow up well. Not consistently, not creatively, and definitely not with empathy. Your follow-up should remind them of the value, not just remind them you exist: 5 Follow-Up Tactics That Actually Work: 1 The Insight Drop Send something actually useful. "Thought of you when I read this piece on X - lines up with what you mentioned re: [pain]. Let me know if you'd like me to break down how this applies to your team." 2 The Reverse Close Happy to pause here if priorities have shifted - I know how things move internally. Let me know either way. By giving them an out, you remove pressure and often get a faster reply. 3 The Value Tease Would a short walkthrough focused just on [specific goal] be helpful for you or others internally? 4 The Close the Book This ones powerful when things have dragged out: "I havent heard back, so Im going to assume timing isnt right and close the book on this for now. If things change, Im always here. Its respectful, confident, and creates positive tension. Youll be shocked how many replies start with, No wait, sorry for the delay... 5 The Mutual Action Reminder If youve got a Mutual Action Plan or shared plan in place: Circling back on our shared timeline - still makes sense to aim for [milestone]? Quick Action Plan: Stop saying just checking in. Forever. Create a 3-email follow-up flow. One value-add, one soft ask, one Close-the-Book if needed. Add a reminder into your CRM 3, 7, and 14 days post-demo. Most founders give up way too early. Buyers arent ignoring you because they hate your product. Theyre just busy. Be the one who makes follow-up frictionless.

One Follow-Up Trick That Transformed My EA Workflow One of the simplest EA habits Ive ever implemented has also been one of the most transformative: I BCC myself on any email that requires a follow-up or an action from me. Every single time. No exceptions. It sounds almost too basic, but this one practice completely changed how I stay on top of my responsibilities. Once the email is sent and drops into my inbox, I immediately file it into a red highlighted folder titled Follow Up. That folder becomes my single source of truth. No sticky notes all over my screen. No half-remembered mental reminders. No frantic searching through my inbox trying to recall who I owe a response to or what I promised to do. Everything that needs my attention lives in one place, waiting for me. The real magic, though, happens on my calendar. Every day, I block 30 minutes at the beginning of the day and 30 minutes at the end of the day specifically to review that Follow Up folder. That blocked time is non-negotiable. Its protected just like a meeting with my executive would be, because itisa meeting with my commitments, my accountability, and my future self. This daily rhythm ensures nothing slips through the cracks and keeps small tasks from turning into big problems. When a task is complete, it's removed from the Follow Up folder. About ten years ago, I made a conscious decision to stop writing everything down in notebooks. While notebooks felt productive, they were fragmented, easy to misplace, and impossible to scale as my role became more and more complex. Implementing this email and calendar system brought structure, consistency, and clarity to my days. It removed the constant low-level stress of wondering if I forgot something because if its not in my Follow Up folder, it doesnt exist. For me, following up isnt just about being organized. Its about trust. Its about being reliable. Its about knowing that when I say, Ill take care of that, I absolutely will. This system allows me to show up calm, prepared, and in control even on the busiest days. If youre drowning in notes, reminders, and mental to-do lists, consider this your sign to change the system because the way you follow up may be the very thing holding you back from operating at your highest level. #ExecutiveAssistant #EACommunity #EATips #FollowUpMatters #InboxManagement #TimeBlocking #CalendarManagement #ProductivitySystems #EAWorkflow #WorkSmarterNotHarder #ProfessionalOrganization #OperationalExcellence #BehindTheScenes #EAExcellence #AdministrativeProfessionals #TrustAndReliability #ProcessOverChaos #SystemsNotStress #CareerGrowth #ModernEA #EfficiencyAtWork #OwnYourRole

Your Biggest Flex Is Your Community You can buy clothes, skills, and status But you cant buy a community. You build it. Every single day. I was reminded of this at the IMPA National Conference earlier this month as I stood in a room full of people who have helped shape my career and genuinely rooted for me. When your network is strong, you have people you can turn to for advice, reality checks, and emotional support. And that changes everything. The irony is, we talk endlessly about personal branding and not enough about personal bonding. The first thing to remember is that it isnt about handing out cards or collecting followers. Its about people. And people are simple, they support the people they know, like and trust. So instead of theory or corporate rules, Im sharing five real habits that helped me build a community. 1. Start with Small Talk It isnt filler, its a bridge that opens doors formal conversations never can. Everyone rushes into professional talk. But the magic usually starts with: Where are you travelling from? What did you take away from that session? How long have you been part of this club? Small talk builds comfort comfort builds trust trust opens doors. 2. Contribute Before You Consume Networking isnt How can you help me? Its: Hey, I know someone you should meet. Let me share a something that might help you. So dont begin with asking what a community can do for you. Show up with what you can offer. Your contributions make people remember you, and want to help you back. 3. Build Authentic Connections, Not Contacts Stay Curious About People, Not Titles. Ask people questions like: What are you passionate about right now? Whats one challenge youre solving this year? People open up when you are genuinely curious, not when you chase roles. 4. Follow Up Dont leave an event thinking, Ill connect someday. A simple, Great meeting you. Loved our conversation. Lets stay connected validates the connections, builds trust and future access. Relationships start on message 2, not meeting 1. 5. Be Consistent, Not Convenient Show up, support, engage. Even when you dont need anything. Relationships require time and effort. Comment on peoples posts. Share their wins. Check in. Clap for them when theyre not in the room. This makes you part of a community not a one-time visitor If even one of these helps you network easier, Ill be happy. And if you have networking habits of your own, do share them. And to my own community, thank you. My biggest flex isnt being self-made, its being community-made. #networking #community #presence #trust #impanationalconference2025 Image Management Professionals Association