How to Establish a Network

Networking is all about establishing connections. While the term is mostly thrown around in business circles, networking can be advantageous for personal reasons as well. Developing relationships with people in many different businesses, as well as many different cities, states, or even countries, can prove to be a huge benefit in a number of different circumstances.

Case in point: When my son was born, my mother threw me a big baby shower. She invited pretty much everyone I know, and it was a huge baby shower! I had a lot of fun socializing with people I don't see very often, and was so grateful to be provided with almost everything I needed for the baby. After the baby was born, I sent out birth announcements to everyone I know. Several people who had not made it to the baby shower sent presents in the mail, and others came by the house to bring gifts. Since we did not have a lot of money to buy baby supplies, these gifts were incredibly helpful!

So how do you develop a large network of professional and personal connections?

Get Contact Information and Keep It!

When you make a connection with someone (whether you meet them at church, work with them at a job, or do community theater with them), get contact information. Just carry a small address book around with you and look for opportune moments to ask for address, email, and phone numbers. When this information changes, do your best to keep up with this information. Even if your situation changes and you do not spend time with this person anymore, you can keep in contact in the future.

Send Mail! Christmas cards, announcements, etc.

While it may get a bit pricey to keep up with a large network, it is more than worth the benefits. Every year, take the time to send a Christmas card to EVERYONE in your address book (even people you haven't seen in years). You can even take it a step farther and write a letter. My husband and I have started the tradition of sending everyone a letter with our Christmas card, updating them about new things in our life over the past year. People really enjoy this letter, and some people have even written us back. This past year we sent over 100 Christmas cards out. It was expensive, but worth it.

When other exciting events in your life happen, make sure to keep people updated. Having a baby? Send an announcement! Graduating from college? Send an announcement! Moving? Send an address update! Everyone loves getting real mail. People will appreciate feeling connected with you, enabling you to keep your connections in tact.

Email Your Connections

Put as many of your connections into your address book on your email server and take time on a regular basis to send a quick email.

Just writing a quick note, "Hi! I was thinking about you today! How is everything going?" is so easy!

Do Lunch!

Lunch is such an easy, low pressure way of keeping in touch with people. If you work during the day, look for opportunities to have lunch with people who work near you. Try to do lunch on weekends with other people. One of the beautiful things about food is that it is not just for nutrition. It is a part of our culture. Sharing a meal with someone is a semi-intimate way to spend time with them. Eating a meal together says, "I care," in a simple and subtle way.

If you are visiting another city, think of people you know nearby and try to get together for lunch. This is a great way to keep long distance connections in tact.