The Ultimate Guide to Professional Networking

Become a master networker. Learn where to seek networking opportunities, how to make genuine connections, and what you can do to continually build your networking skills.

Introduction

• How to excel using networking

1. Networking Basics

• How to market the old-fashioned way
• What's wrong with the old way of networking?
• Why network?
• How to network the right way
• Where to look for networking opportunities

2. Networking the New Way

• Real connections: Curiosity
• Real connections: Generosity
• Networks are made up of humans
• A network that sustains you for years, through careers, businesses, and more
• How to do follow-ups that close the loop and open new doors

3. Where to Find Network Opportunities

• Finding unique opportunities to network
• Finding secret places to network that people don't realize
• Leveraging meetup.com
• Looking deeper into your profession to excel

4. How to Leverage Your Job to Expand Your Network

• How to network for you and not just your employer
• Get your networking covered by your job
• Finding what others are doing—and when to avoid that
• Avoid pitfalls

5. Building Skills

• Understanding the goal: Building relationship capital
• Advice for extroverts
• Advice for introverts
• How to practice

6. The Networking Matrix

• The X-axis: What is the means (direct to indirect)
• The Y-axis: What is the focus (me or others)
• The Goldilocks approach to networking

7. Networking Mastery

• Attending a lobbycon
• Advanced meetings
• How to work the trade show to maximize your experience
• How to create a mastermind from scratch
• How to create a networking group of your own

Conclusion

• Your path to excel