Networking for people who do not network
I am not a natural networker, so I was glad to find this practical breakdown on the topic. While I recognise the benefits, it is an area where I would like to grow. The article from Stay SaaSy, “Networking For People Who Don’t Network”, offers some excellent, down-to-earth advice.
They compare networking to working out: a small, consistent effort can yield significant benefits.
The #1 missed opportunity in networking is failing to take the achingly simple steps to build a network from people you work with every day.
A summary of their heuristics
Here is a scannable summary of their main points:
- Start with your coworkers: This is your most accessible and high-quality network. Be competent, a good teammate, and positive.
- It is a numbers game: Meet many people without the pressure of making every connection a deep one.
- Find what works for you: Choose events you genuinely enjoy, whether that is small dinners or specific meetups, rather than forcing yourself into environments you dislike.
- Nurture your network: A simple “thinking of you” message or a semi-regular in-person meeting keeps relationships alive.
- Do not act weird: Avoid common pitfalls like asking someone to be your mentor on the first meeting or bragging.
I also found this point about workplace positivity very true:
Winners are inspired by ambition and shared victories, and complaining is pretty much the polar opposite.
Stay SaaSy has many other great posts, so their site is worth exploring. They also publish a newsletter on Substack.
