The famous American writer Steven Pressfield wisely noted, “The problem with our society today is our tendency to live superficially. We are like the Platte River, a mile wide and an inch deep.” This observation rings true in many aspects of life, especially when it comes to building relationships and expanding our professional networks. Oftentimes, people attend networking events with the sole purpose of amassing business cards, hoping to follow up later for potential short-term gains. While this approach can yield some results, its effectiveness has dwindled over time.

It’s not the most effective networking strategy to simply gather a stack of business cards. A more fruitful approach involves identifying common ground and establishing a foundation for a relationship before making any requests. This shift from quantity to quality necessitates a change in mindset. Instead of focusing on personal gain, invest your time and energy in uncovering shared interests and understanding their aspirations, ultimately assisting them in achieving their goals. Don’t settle for superficial connections. Seek out high-caliber individuals who pique your interest and offer opportunities for learning, collaboration, and companionship. They exist, and here are seven networking strategies to bring you closer to them.

1. Explore guest posting opportunities

Guest posting involves writing and publishing an article on another person’s blog or website. It’s a powerful method to connect with a new audience, enhance credibility, and increase brand visibility. While highly beneficial for the guest poster, it also provides the host site with valuable, engaging content at no cost. In essence, it’s a unique chance to collaborate with minimal risk, potentially paving the way for future projects.

The nexus-security Blog has its own set of guidelines for guest posting_!_ While starting with guest posting might seem intimidating, there’s a risk-free approach that consistently yields excellent results. Once you’ve identified your target audience, you need to craft a compelling pitch. The key is to simplify their decision-making process by conducting thorough research and groundwork beforehand. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Utilize tools like Ahrefs or BuzzSumo to identify past successful content ideas and relevant keywords.
2. After completing your research and brainstorming content ideas, focus on crafting captivating headlines.
3. Pitch these headlines without writing the full article, saving time and effort if they don’t respond or decline. That’s all there is to it! Repeat this process and follow up consistently for optimal outcomes. When you secure your first guest post, prioritize value-driven content over direct sales pitches for your product.

2. Seek interviews or quotes

While guest posting is effective, publishing on your own blog can be equally impactful with the right approach. If you’re developing high-quality, foundational content like a blog post or an infographic that you anticipate will be popular, you can leverage it to forge new connections. A straightforward way to achieve this is by reaching out to an expert in the field for an interview. They likely have valuable insights to share and would appreciate the free brand exposure. In certain situations, requesting a quote might be more appropriate for initial contact, as it requires less time commitment from them. Additionally, consider asking for a brief bio, a headshot, and a link to their website or a specific piece of their content to include in your post. This not only provides them with added exposure but also enriches your content and bolsters its credibility by featuring a subject matter expert. Alex Birkett, Sr Growth Marketer at HubSpot and co-founder of Omniscient Digital, attributes a significant portion of his professional network to this content collaboration strategy. “During my time writing for CXL, I consistently reached out to the most brilliant minds in the conversion optimization world, individuals I admired and considered role models,” he explains. “They almost always generously contributed, significantly elevating the quality of my articles. Consequently, I’ve formed close friendships with many of them.” This strategy extends to other media formats as well. Consider inviting guests for your podcast, collaborating on vlogs, or hosting joint Q&A sessions on social media platforms. The more you involve others in collaborations, quotes, and do interviews, the more likely they are to reciprocate or partner with you on future endeavors. People generally enjoy being interviewed and discussing their professions. It also provides valuable content for your blog. A prime example of this is the Wordable’s Content Crafters series.

In this series, the hosts interview leading content experts, simultaneously generating engaging content and networking with individuals in their target audience (prolific content creators). It’s a mutually beneficial situation.

3. Collaborate on contests and giveaways

Nothing captivates an audience more than the allure of winning something valuable. Therefore, the prize must be genuinely worthwhile. If it’s insignificant, uninteresting, or commonplace, it’s likely to be disregarded. A simple way to enhance your prize offering is by partnering with other companies and professionals who can contribute their own offerings. Similar to guest posting, you can reach out to fellow marketers, share your giveaway and contest ideas, and gauge their interest in participating. Depending on your industry, the prizes can be provided at little to no cost to either party. It could be as straightforward as a strategy call with an expert or a year of free access to your SaaS product, or as extravagant as an all-expenses-paid trip. The possibilities are limitless!

Once you’ve finalized your giveaway prize, it’s time to spread the word. Simplify the process for your new connection by providing them with email templates, custom graphics, and sample copy for their marketing channels. The easier you make it, the higher the likelihood of securing their partnership.

4. Attend networking events

Although a traditional tactic, face-to-face interactions offer a quick and effective way to break the ice and elevate your networking game. Identify industry conferences, trade shows, growth conferences, or TED talks, and make an effort to learn something new. Utilize opportunities like happy hours, meet-and-greets, and scheduled breaks to connect with other attendees. Remember, after selecting an event with the right target audience, prioritize building quality relationships over quantity.

Image source Don’t flit around the room, monopolizing people’s time and distributing your business card indiscriminately. Conduct thorough research to identify key individuals you want to connect with and come prepared with something valuable to offer, whether it’s industry insights or promising partnership opportunities. Most importantly, enjoy the experience.

5. Host a party

This one might come as a surprise. Whether you’re new in town or a well-established professional, secure a venue and choose a reason to celebrate. You could even host a quarterly “thank you” event for community professionals, inviting both existing contacts and individuals you aspire to connect with. A successful party hinges on the guest list. Leverage social media, cold emails, and networking events to spread the word. Additionally, ensure a balanced mix of activities that encourage interaction in a relaxed atmosphere. You could opt for a lively karaoke night with catered food, or keep it simple with backyard games and a food truck. The choice is entirely yours. If party planning isn’t your forte, consider collaborating with someone or hiring a professional planner.

6. Request introductions

Bypass awkward introductions and dive straight into business discussions through a trusted intermediary. Your existing network likely includes individuals who know people you’d like to connect with. Start there, or utilize platforms like LinkedIn, which are ideal for introductions as they visually display connections between your network and your target contacts.

Image source To further mitigate awkwardness, consider asking your mutual contact to facilitate an in-person introduction. They can help break the ice by initiating conversation and highlighting shared interests you might not be aware of. Additionally, they can provide valuable insights about your prospective connection beforehand. When requesting introductions, always ensure a clear purpose for the meeting. Connecting simply for the sake of it feels insincere. Define your objective, conduct thorough research, and come prepared with something valuable to offer.

7. Explore cold outreach

Sometimes, the most effective approach is also the simplest. A well-crafted cold email or call can yield significant results. However, always initiate contact with something valuable to offer the potential partner. While you can opt for the traditional method of manually drafting emails, consider leverage the right tools to maximize efficiency. For instance, tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator or DiscoverOrg simplify the process of identifying relevant contacts. Once you’ve curated your list, platforms like VoilaNorbert can help locate email addresses using basic information like name and company. When you’re ready to reach out, tools like Mailshake can assist in creating compelling email templates for guest post requests or party invitations, and automate follow-ups based on your preferred schedule. The right combination of tools can expand your reach and facilitate conversations. From there, it’s all about identifying the right connections and cultivating deep, meaningful relationships that will benefit you for years to come.

Start implementing these networking strategies today!

Networking doesn’t have to be intimidating. The adage “It’s not what you know, but who you know” still holds true. What’s changed is the approach to building that network—quality trumps quantity when it comes to relationships. The most effective strategy is to go narrow and long, fostering deep connections with a select group of individuals and nurturing those relationships over time.