Networking and Building Effective Relationships
Aired on Sunday, April 26, 2020
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WHAT IS NETWORKING?
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
HOW TO DO IT EFFECTIVELY
WHERE TO NETWORK
SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
TAKE ACTION
WHAT IS NETWORKING?
“Your network is your net worth.” - John Maxwell
Think of networking as establishing and building genuine long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.
Adam Small, CEO of the Strategic Business Network, underlined the importance of networking by describing it as the “single most powerful tactic to accelerate and sustain success for any individual or organization”.
Remember “work” is part of the word.
Real networking never happens by taking. It happens by giving.
Networking is not merely the act of two people exchanging business cards, shaking hands and making a toast while drinking together. It is a far more complex activity, which is why many approach it with caution and a lot of care.
In business networking, it is not rare to hear the word “connections” being used. You may have often heard this sentence used: “It’s not WHAT you know; it is WHO you know”.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
You can't do everything on your own
Music is a social business.
It can increase referrals and opportunities for professional development
Helps you build authority and create lasting impact
Improves self-worth by learning to help others
Develops life-long friendships and bonds
Networking allows you to learn the dynamics within the industry, particularly of the industry that you or your business belongs to.
HOW TO DO IT EFFECTIVELY
Set networking goals.
Understand your target and know where to do networking. Meeting the right people “quality over quantity” (SEE NEXT SECTION FOR MORE)-
Take the first step by reaching out.
Invest your time, money and energy into relationships.
Provide as much value as you can - mutually beneficial Be an energy charger rather than an energy drainer.
Develop the habit of introducing people and make an effort to connect others.
Remember that networking is not just about you - stop talking and listen! Focus on helping to reduce their suffering in some way.
Be open-minded - not everyone is in the same headspace as you, and be open to the idea that strong connections may show up in ways you don’t expect.
Personalize encounters as much as you can.
Re-introduce, remind, check in, and follow up.
Give them some space - don’t be a stalker!
Remain visible.
Improve your products and services.
Build and maintain a good business reputation.
Network in all directions.
Ask for help in networking.
Be grateful and don't take people for granted. Learn to appreciate others, even in the smallest ways. Say thanks and congratulations
Be conscious of the long-term cause-and-effects of your actions.
Document networking efforts.
Manage yourself - you are the face of your brand
Practice the Golden Rule - Treat others the same way that you'd like to be treated
Make networking a habit.
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” - Jim Rohn
The people you spend the most time with shape who you are. They determine what conversations dominate your attention. They affect which attitudes and behaviors you are regularly exposed. Eventually you start to think like they think and behave like they behave. As Darren Hardy writes in The Compound Effect “According to research by social psychologist Dr. David McClelland of Harvard, [the people you habitually associate with] determine as much as 95 percent of your success or failure in life.” The lesson here is to actively construct your social environment.
WHERE TO NETWORK
So many people wear multiple hats; everyone and anyone could possibly be a networking opportunity. However, just like targeted search engine traffic, the more targeted the networking the higher the chance of success. Think of quality over quantity. ‘Targeted’ networking offers the most potential. Target the places you go for networking, research who will be there, and target specific people who would be good to know. Here are sample “targets” for the music world.
Social media websites
NAMM Show
GrammyPro
Local jams and shows
Venues
Music and industry conferences and events
Music nonprofit groups
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
Balanced Breakfast meetups
Events through your PRO (performing right organization)
SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
Six degrees of separation is the idea that all people are six, or fewer, social connections away from each other. Also known as the 6 Handshakes rule. As a result, a chain of "a friend of a friend" statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps. It was originally set out by Frigyes Karinthy in 1929 and popularized in an eponymous 1990 play written by John Guare. It is sometimes generalized to the average social distance being logarithmic in the size of the population.
Thus, it’s a professional and business practice based on the creation of a solid and useful network of contacts. In addition, because networking is a fairly effective way to get a job; then, it’s highly encouraged among university students hoping to integrate into the job force. At this point, the six degrees of separation theory comes into play. It’s a way to establish interesting and profitable professional relationships.
TAKE ACTION
What are some of your career goals?
What kinds of people could be helpful in achieving those goals?
Write down three people you have already met and should reconnect with.
Send them a genuine message/email/text checking in and following up
Write down three people you would like to connect with.
Send them a genuine message/email/text introducing yourself.
RECOMMENDED LINKS
NETWORKING ARTICLES
23 Networking Tip for Building Effective Relationships (Cleverism.com)
The New Networking: 8 Strategies for Building Real Relationships (Entrepreneur.com)
5 Steps to Rock Any Networking Event (Entrepreneur.com)
10 Powerful Business Networking Skills to Build Rapport Quickly (Entrepreneur.com)
3 Quick Tricks to Networking for People Who Hate Networking (Entrepreneur.com)
Here's How To Build A Win-Win Networking Relationship (ForbesWomen)
Networking vs. Relationship Building (LinkedIn)
What is Relationship Networking? (PowerHomeBiz.com)
How Leaders Create and Use Networks (Harvard Business Review)
NETWORKING SITES
Women in Music - www.wim.org
MUSIC INDUSTRY EVENTS
ASCAP Experience (formerly ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO (for songwriters)
#mindyourbusiness #networking #yournetworkisyournetworth #musicbusiness
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