The most effective networking practices are those that are built into your daily routine, says Allison Graham, the London, Ont.-based author of From Business Cards to Business Relationships: Personal Branding and Profitable Networking Made Easy.
Those special events that are meant to grow your network might increase the number of contacts you have, but they do not produce deep relationships. More meaningful connections develop through easy, routine actions you can take throughout the week.
Here are three ways to make networking a part of your daily schedule:
> Call for a quick chat
A 15-minute phone call can help maintain your relationships. These “random” calls work best with individuals you already know, Graham says. Stick to people you’ve become familiar with over a few encounters, as opposed to suddenly calling someone you just met.
Also, keep in mind that a spontaneous phone call should still have a purpose. You’re not calling just to say “Hi.” Instead, think of a question to ask that can spark a conversation.
For example, you are a member of a local charity’s board and you missed a recent meeting. Take the opportunity to call a fellow board member and ask for an update as a way to start the conversation.
> Check on LinkedIn
Use LinkedIn as a tool to find new people you would like to meet. Go through your contacts’ connections to see if you would like to be introduced to any of these individuals.
Choose connections with whom you are familiar enough to make the request. Someone who knows you well enough to engage in a conversation with you is more likely to agree to provide an introduction.
You can also use LinkedIn to gather details about contacts you will be seeing at upcoming networking events.
For instance, if you know you will be encountering certain individuals at a charity gala, take 20 minutes to look up them up on LinkedIn. You will learn more about their career path, education and personal interests.
Says Graham: “This information gives you more content to guide a conversation [and] find those genuine connections.”
> Set aside specific days for networking
Look through your calendar and schedule a full day of networking that will take place outside of the office.
Graham makes sure to organize her own schedule this way by having one or two weekdays during which she has a breakfast meeting, a lunch date, an afternoon meeting and an after-work drink.
When possible, build this networking day around an event. For example, if you know you are going to be out of the office next Monday to attend a chamber of commerce lunch, build a day of networking around that event.