{"id":76943,"date":"2016-02-16T14:45:47","date_gmt":"2016-02-16T21:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/renewsblog\/?p=76943"},"modified":"2023-08-11T13:47:44","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T19:47:44","slug":"2016-02-16-10-build-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/2016-02-16-10-build-network","title":{"rendered":"10 Simple Actions to Substantially Build Your Network &#8212; Starting Today!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n      <iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/playlist.megaphone.fm\/?e=BIGPOC9284650647\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe>\r\n  \n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cultivating a network of professional contacts is arguably one of the best things you can do for your business &#8212; and for yourself. Working in real estate, my sphere of influence is what drives my business. Whether you are a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/2015\/01\/31\/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2\/\" target=\"_blank\">wholesaler<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/2014\/01\/07\/flipping-houses\/\" target=\"_blank\">flipper<\/a>, or buy and hold landlord, the better you are at networking, the more your business will thrive. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some tips I\u2019ve put into practice to build my network. As&nbsp;with anything worth doing, it takes time, but you will begin to reap the benefits before you know it &#8212; I definitely did! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>10 Simple Actions to Substantially Build Your Network<\/h2>\n<h3>Be Seen.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You know you\u2019ve reached a turning point when you go somewhere, and people you don\u2019t know recognize you from previous events you\u2019ve attended. Just because you can \u201cwork from home\u201d most of the time as an entrepreneur doesn\u2019t mean you should stay at home. Meetup.com is a great place to start. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Go to at least one event per week where you don\u2019t know anyone.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I used to invite friends to events with me in order to use them as a crutch (i.e. have a default person to talk to). I\u2019m already socially awkward enough without showing up somewhere where I don\u2019t know a single soul. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But I force myself to be uncomfortable sometimes, and when I do, I usually end up making new friends with someone else who is there alone (or I run into someone I know that I didn\u2019t think would be there). It\u2019s definitely not fun being uncomfortable, but you won\u2019t be worse for the wear. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-73562\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/real-estate-networking.jpg\" alt=\"real-estate-networking\" width=\"702\" height=\"331\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/real-estate-networking.jpg 702w, https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/real-estate-networking-300x141.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 702px) 100vw, 702px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Related: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/07\/11-reasons-network-equals-net-worth\/\" target=\"_blank\">11 Reasons Your Network Equals Your Net Worth (&amp; 4 Ways to Expand Yours!)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<h3>When in doubt, reach out!<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ever heard of analysis paralysis? For many people, too much thought tends to lead to inaction. This is why when it relates to meeting new people, you should act first, and then think later. Don\u2019t weigh the pros and cons. Don\u2019t look at the opportunity costs of having a conversation. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reach out, whether it\u2019s to introduce yourself or ask someone&nbsp;what they do &#8212; and do the thinking later. Blatantly putting yourself out there can be terrifying at first (especially to those for whom networking seems unnatural), but trust me, it gets easier the more you practice. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Introduce yourself to the person next to you.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I admit, I\u2019m terrible at this one. Most of the time, I\u2019m in my own world, thinking my own little thoughts. And you know what? Sometimes, that\u2019s OK. You don\u2019t have to be \u201con\u201d 100 percent of the time. But if you\u2019re at a networking or social event to meet people, it\u2019s safe to assume&nbsp;that your neighbor probably is there for the same reasons. Start with a friendly, \u201cHey! I\u2019m Tiffany,\u201d and go from there. They&#8217;ll likely be grateful to you for starting the conversation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Strike up a conversation at a coffee shop.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I once met someone very skilled at this. I originally went to the coffee shop to indulge in a mocha and escape the realities of life with a good book. OK, so it was Rick Ferri\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/29Wq8cP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">All About Asset Allocation<\/a> <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8212; a little bit of a different \u201cescape\u201d than what works for most people, but it led to a conversation with the guy in the chair next to me. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Related:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/2014\/10\/03\/the-beginners-guide-to-highly-effective-real-estate-networking\/\" target=\"_blank\">The Beginner\u2019s Guide to Highly Effective Real Estate Networking<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Three hours later, we were still there talking about the intricacies of intelligent portfolio construction &#8212; nerd bliss, I tell you. I learned so much and met another contact I was able to add to my database.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Ask to buy a successful person coffee.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not many people would say no to a free cup of coffee, though I\u2019ve had a few people artfully decline. You know what I did? I went out and asked five more. Anyone who turns that amazing offer down is missing out big time, so don\u2019t even sweat it. Regardless of how rapidly technology changes and robots start replacing jobs, there is nothing, and I mean NOTHING, that will replace an honest to goodness one-on-one conversation. So get out there!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-76967\" src=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/network.jpg\" alt=\"network\" width=\"702\" height=\"336\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/network.jpg 702w, https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/network-300x144.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 702px) 100vw, 702px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Look for common ground.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the process of getting to know someone, you should be asking questions and learning more about them. This will help you identify what you have in common and give you the opportunity to build rapport. Once you do identify this, bring it up! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People feel more comfortable around others who are like them, so even if you, for example, don\u2019t know the first thing about organic chemistry, mention your brother who does. This is why it\u2019s also valuable to cultivate an interest in various topics. You don\u2019t have to be an expert by any means, but being able to converse intelligently about many different things is a great skill to keep sharp. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Make an introduction (or three).<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to get, you must first give. Offer to connect two people who may otherwise not know each other, and do it with the expectation of nothing in return. You\u2019ll get the satisfaction of knowing you are helping your friends, and you will start to become known as the &#8220;connector.&#8221; This will enable you to attract people to you, rather than chase them (a big philosophy of mine). Pretty soon, people will come to you to ask for a referral!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Ask a contact for a specific introduction.<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people are happy to connect two people they know, especially if they are already themselves well-connected&nbsp;&#8212;&nbsp;so don\u2019t be afraid to ask for an introduction. However, make sure that you are also returning the favor in some way and not asking for a connection every week. For example, taking a super-connector friend out to lunch or coffee will be an investment in the relationship that pays dividends. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Say thank you!<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Better yet, send a personal or handwritten thank you note. Expressing your appreciation when others go out of their way to help you is not just good business, it\u2019s just good &#8212; period. Deep down, everybody likes to be acknowledged, so the very least you can do is thank them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Investors: What actions do you take regularly to build your network?<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Leave your comments below!<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cultivating a network of professional contacts is arguably one of the best things you can do for your business &#8212; and for yourself. Working in real estate, my sphere of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5005,"featured_media":76968,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4241,7119],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76943","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-estate-business-management","category-biggerpockets-daily"],"acf":[],"comment_count":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76943","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5005"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76943"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76943\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76968"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76943"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76943"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biggerpockets.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76943"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}