5 Ways To Connect With New People Without ‘Networking’
Expand your network even if you hate networking.
Let’s face it. The olds ways of networking weren’t working for a lot of people. Attending an event where you don’t know anyone, forcing yourself into awkward small talk, and passing out business cards with the hope that someone might follow up (which rarely ever happened).
Even for extroverts, traditional networking was fraught with perils. Driving to a place often early in the morning or after work could be difficult to balance with other priorities.
Luckily, there are other ways to expand your network with meaningful connections. Here are five alternative ways to build your network without networking.
Reconnect with past connections
There is so much value we can find from reconnecting with people from our past. Former colleagues, friends from school, past acquaintances, teachers or leaders we have learned from in the past. A simple note to reconnect could lead to new opportunities or at least a nice experience reminiscing about old times.
Ask for introductions
Chances are you know people who know people. Referrals can be great if you are looking to connect with a specific type of person. Introductions can also be helpful when you want to simply meet more people like the ones you already know.
Cold email or direct message
If you are brave and clear why you want to connect with a particular person, it has never been easier to reach out. Whether you send an email, submit a contact form on a website, or DM using your preferred social media tool, you may be surprised how accessible people can be.
Social media comments
We all want engagement in the content we share online (otherwise we wouldn’t share it). It can be a great way to support someone who you want to connect with and show your interest in them and their work. Once you feel comfortable that there is a rapport forming through comment and response, sending a direct message becomes less intimidating.
Go out with friends
Often the people who become the most important to us are introduced through chance encounters. This is why networking events have worked in the past. A chance encounter can happen in any place that people are out together. So grab some friends, head to a coffee shop and keep an eye out for interesting connections.
