FP #184: Building Power Connections through Fearless Networking – Adrienne Graham with James Rick
Adrienne is an author, recruiter, show host, and strategist. She was a single, stay-home mom when she started out as a recruiter. What makes her success at networking remarkable was she didn’t have the tools and access that big agencies had. Add to that the fact that she came from a family who taught her not to bother people or talk to strangers so she had to learn how to ingratiate her way to groups of people and communicate with them. In this interview, she gives pointers to entrepreneurs and professionals on how to build networks and leverage them in order to grow and become successful.
HOW TO BUILD A NETWORK
- DIVERSIFY across industries with both width and depth
- Whatever profession you’re in, cross-pollinate and not work only with your same-gender group
- Go to other industries where you can find like-minded people who do similar things that may be a little different from yours
- Network UP or find people who are more successful than you who can help and guide you and be a good connection for you when you need some leads.
- STOP BEING FEARFUL – just start networking with people
- In networking events, get up off your butt, introduce yourself and let people know who you are. Put your face in the place and put a name to the face.
- FOCUS ON BUILDING YOUR BRAND –
- Let people know what you do; they will be your brand evangelist
… Be crystal clear on what you do as well as your skills and background and what you need to get help on
GETTING RID OF NETWORKING ANXIETY
• Don’t overthink it
- Networking is not as hard as you may think
… People are human beings like you who put on their pants one leg at a time
• Look for common bonds or interests that will make you more relatable with the people you want to network with
• Don’t force it – Go with the spirit of giving, not expecting to get something out of it
• Show interest and be present when you talk to people
Adrienne has been on a number of media including MSNBC and Entrepreneur Magazine. You can follow her by going to her website at EmpowerMe.org where you can find lots of resources on fearless networking. If you get a copy of her book, Fearless Networking without Asking Permission, you get a month of free coaching on networking with Adrienne together with free copies of Go Ahead, Talk to Strangers and Little Book of Power Connections, and a free CD of Main Street Matters.
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