In order to network effectively and genuinely, you must continuously offer to help others. Once this happens, you will start to build trust and credibility within networking circles. While it may take time to get to this level, it?s well worth the effort.

After you reach this level, people will start to perceive you as a trusted resource and reach out to you for help.

Continuously Offer to Help Others

Offering to help others is one of the most important principles of networking. Before you ask for help, you should ask others about their needs and how you can help them. During your conversations with others, pay special attention to their wants and figure out if your expertise or resources will be beneficial to them.

If you see a fit, reach out and provide your assistance. People will appreciate your kindness and remember you for your good deeds. Of course, if you offer to help others, it?s important for you to follow through. Otherwise, you could tarnish your credibility.

You can help others by consulting, researching, connecting people together and helping with marketing efforts. Over time, you will become respected by others and seen as a credible resource.

Become a Subject Expert

Take the time to develop an expertise on a subject that you are passionate about (whether or not it relates to your profession). Because most people are already subject experts on certain topics, you may not have to put in much additional effort.

When you meet people, let them know that you are very knowledgeable about a certain topic and offer to assist them if your expertise will help them. Try to incorporate this information into your elevator pitch so people immediately know about your special skills and knowledge.

In addition to disclosing to others your expertise, think about putting on your own seminars or become a guest speaker to share your wisdom with others. You can also try to write a regular column for a publication or organization that demonstrates your knowledge.

By getting yourself out there, you will be branding yourself as the go-to person for certain topics and you will become a resource for others.

Continuously Gather Information

Part of becoming a subject expert is to continuously gather information about your area of expertise. You can collect articles, publications, Web site links, organization names and the names of people.

No matter the form of information, choose the most relevant and timely information to accumulate. After you collect this data, organize it in a way that can be easily shared (such as in your own portfolio, database or Web site).

Of course, not all your information will be able to be viewed publicly (such as on a Web site). Therefore, you will need to be organized and let people know that they can contact you for various resources.

Make it part of your routine to gather data and resources on your area of expertise. The effort will be well worth it because you will be able to offer something unique to people who you meet throughout your networking.

Make Connections

One of the benefits of building a quality network is that you can connect people together. It?s important that you develop a variety of relationships with people who work in different industries, have various skill sets or hold a variety of business positions.

With this type of network, it will be easier to find the right people to bring together. Before you connect others, make sure you qualify each person. Otherwise, you may not make the best associations.

You want people to have faith that you are making helpful and worthwhile connections. Once this happens, your credibility will increase and people will use you as a resource to meet certain people.

It?s a good feeling to help others. Share your network when it?s appropriate. Don?t view your network as a resource just for you. Instead, view it as a tool you can use not only to help yourself but also to help others.

Final Thought

Becoming a trusted resource is an honor throughout life and networking. If you spend the time helping others, becoming a subject expert and making connections, people will highly regard you and come to you for resources.

So long as you extend yourself to others, you will be seen as a giver rather than a taker. This is very important in networking circles. Over time, your good deeds will not be forgotten and people will help you when you need them.

Return to Index