The Lion’s Pride: Networking - Becoming the Hub II: Building Self-Feeding Buzz

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The Lion’s Pride: Networking

Becoming the Hub II: Building Self-Feeding Buzz

In Part One of this series, , we discussed why being a “hub” is a good thing.

But how do you get to be the hub? How do you get to be the go-to person? How do you get people to contact you? Take the steps sequentially.

Law & Order is on 24/7. So are Frasier and Matlock. Unfortunately, watching these shows won’t help you network. Get away from your televised Friends and get involved. Join a civic group, gym, athletic team or league, choir or your local PTA.

Glad hand. Talk to your new friends. Find out what they’re all about. When you get to know people – really know them – you’ll learn what they know and what they need. If you know that someone needs something someone else can provide, then you should take the initiative and connect the two. They will be glad you did. Given you get permission from the provider, both parties will be thankful for the connection.

Make promises and deliver on them. Help people out by promising to do things. Then, do them. Search your existing network for help, then give credit to those who aided you in completion. By raising their perceived stock, you will be raising your own.

Tap your network. This is an essential component to this process for several reasons. First, your goals naturally include getting a good job (or a better job), so you should feel free to ask for help in this regard. Second, studies have shown that people like those who ask them for favors. Third, you will demonstrate that you know that you don’t know everything – and that’s a wonderful way to ingratiate yourself to others.

Rinse and repeat. The process of glad handing, delivering on promises, and tapping your network is not a one-shot deal. You should make this a habit – a way of life. You will have more friends, more professional contacts and more respect from a larger group as a result.

IN THE CARAVAN: Become the hub by getting away from useless activities, delivering on promises and asking for help when needed…and making the process a way of life.

	The Call of the Wild Podcast
	The Lion’s Pride
	The Safari Guide
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Networking

Business Card Pack Rats / Gump-Style Networking / Becoming the Hub Increases Your Brand / Becoming the Hub II: Building Self-Feeding Buzz / Myths and Truisms / Grow Your Network - Go Where The Employers Are! / It's Not What You Know... / Always Be Prepared...Even If You're Not a Boy Scout / How to Make Six Degrees of Separation Work (Even If You're Not Kevin Bacon) / Marketing and Branding Yourself, Part I / Branding II: Your Website or Blog / Finding the Right Contact Person / Give a Little to Get a Little / Why Join Organizations? / First Contact With Mr. Smith, Part 1 / First Contact With Mr. Smith, Part 2: The Winning of The Sally / First Contact With Mr. Smith, Part 3: First Impressions / Asking Mr. Smith for Help, Part 1 / Asking Mr. Smith for Help, Part II: It's Not the Song, It's the Singer / Asking Mr. Smith for Help, Part III: Getting down to business / Networking at Job Fairs / Doing It On the Road / Networking Online / Getting Info From Sally & Co., Part I / Getting Info From Sally & Co., Part II: Asking The Right Questions / Networking Out of Town Part I: Laying the Foundation / Networking Out of Town Part II: Touring for Interviews / Working the Network by Feeding the Network / 'Running' Into Contacts / You Only Get What You Ask For / Press the Flesh II: Small Talk / Press the Flesh Like a Pro / Playing the Percentages / Fishing and the Right Bait / Shrek Style / Get Your Butterflies Flying In Formation / Discover Other People’s Passions / Double Dipping Doing Good / Overbooking Your Way to a New Job / Shaking the Branches of Your Family Tree / Working Your Reunion / Parents of Your Kids' Friends