Have you been making regular deposits into your network?

People often tell me they are not getting anything from their networking efforts. They say they have been doing their homework regarding where might be best to network based on their industry, interests and/or geographic location. They tell me they have rehearsed their 30-second commercial to make it intriguing, yet simple enough so that a five-year old can understand it. They tell me they have been attending meetings regularly and getting involved to no avail….i.e., no referrals, no leads, no anything. So I must ask the question, “Have you been making any deposits into your network?

Just like your bank account or your savings account, before you can withdraw any money, you must first make a deposit. So then, since networking is all about building relationships with people, before you begin to “take” from your network, you need to deposit first. Have you given a referral to someone in your network, have you helped someone fill a need they might have, have you provided an answer or a resource to someone who had a question, have you done anything to pay it forward? You get the picture.

It’s all about doing something for someone else, making someone feel special, letting someone know how much you care….even if it is a small gesture. What is important however, is that whatever you do, you must do it because it is the right thing to do and not because you are expecting something in return. As Americans in a capitalist society, it is sometimes hard for us to think this way because we are taught to behave and negotiate such that you NEVER give a concession without getting something in return. I disagree, but I do understand the internal conflict with which our psychy operates. It’s almost as if you’re keeping score subconsciously whereby you start counting how many leads or referrals you’ve passed along with the expectation that you’re going to get that many back from those to whom you passed them. That’s where the disappointment and sometimes even resentment seeds are planted. The moment you do something for someone with the expectation that they “owe” you, you set yourself up for disappointment. Like NIke says, “Just Do It”, but do it because it’s the right thing to do, and you’ll be amazed how those deposits begin to grow with compounded interest.

Cheers to your many networking deposits and to your networking success!

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