What do you do to build strong relationships with your network?

[MartinsMillers]

Hey guys. I've recently realised that I have a problem with keeping in touch with my network. I go to loads of networking events ( well I did before COVID), I have a load of contacts, but I've never nurtured those relationships. They just sit there in my wallet or LinkedIn. And I feel weird to message them out of blue when I need something from them. What do you do to nurture your relationships with your network? Could you give me any tips? Thanks.

 

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[Lex DeVille]

Hey guys. I've recently realised that I have a problem with keeping in touch with my network. I go to loads of networking events ( well I did before COVID), I have a load of contacts, but I've never nurtured those relationships. They just sit there in my wallet or LinkedIn. And I feel weird to message them out of blue when I need something from them. What do you do to nurture your relationships with your network? Could you give me any tips? Thanks.

Wish I had an answer for you, but I'm terrible at this. So I'll be following to see how others approach it.

 

[WillHurtDontCare]

Hey guys. I've recently realised that I have a problem with keeping in touch with my network. I go to loads of networking events ( well I did before COVID), I have a load of contacts, but I've never nurtured those relationships. They just sit there in my wallet or LinkedIn. And I feel weird to message them out of blue when I need something from them. What do you do to nurture your relationships with your network? Could you give me any tips? Thanks.

Did any of the people talk about things that genuinely interested you?

If they are working on projects that you find interesting, call them and ask about them. Plenty of people like to brag a little to captive audiences. Give them the opportunity. Hell, there are probably people who would be grateful to have someone new to talk to after all of these lockdowns.

Beyond work, do any of the people strike you as interesting? Like if you're a history buff and you bumped into another history buff, call said buff to talk about history.

Think about what you want out of life and how people you've met harmonize with it. There are so many people in the world to pick from that it's absurd to spend time with any of them simply for the sake of staying in touch.

Connect with people who connect with your purpose - and it sounds like you need to clarify what your purpose is. If, say, you knew that God wanted you to build the most beautiful church in history and that is why you were put on this planet, you would naturally be reaching out to architects, painters, donors, sculptors, people with land, engineers, glass artisans, and so on. And you'd do this without having to think about it.

 

[ZCP]

1. Be a good solid person that cares. (am guessing you already are)
2. block time in your schedule to connect and follow up with people (put them in your personal database and update when you talk to them) .... hit everyone up at least once a year ... (simple crm's are great for this!)
3. provide value at each connection
4. treat them like the gold that they are!
5. do like my uncle and send a vulgar joke every other day ...... lol

 

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[Andy Black]

Hey guys. I've recently realised that I have a problem with keeping in touch with my network. I go to loads of networking events ( well I did before COVID), I have a load of contacts, but I've never nurtured those relationships. They just sit there in my wallet or LinkedIn. And I feel weird to message them out of blue when I need something from them. What do you do to nurture your relationships with your network? Could you give me any tips? Thanks.

Instead of “nurturing relationships” or “message them out of the blue when I need something from them”, how about coming from a place of trying to help them?

Think of them as people with hopes, fears, dreams, and worries, just like the rest of you.

How can you help each one?