Power networking is a life skill and lifestyle habit. It involves going out in a systematic way and meeting new people in order to build a list of contacts. With power networking, you’re meeting people with a clear goal in mind. However, it’s not an activity you do only when you want something. It’s an ongoing process that creates long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.

Beyond Business Networking

When most people think of networking, they think of business networking. But power networking can be used for much more than just business. You can use it to learn what’s new and hot in your industry. By connecting with other people, you can learn new skills and information that helps your business. If you’re a creative person, there’s a great deal you can learn from others in your field. Non-profits can use power networking to spread awareness or seek funding. Activists network to make changes in their communities or society at large.

Many people use networking to achieve personal goals or simply to make new friends. Whatever passion you have in life can be augmented through building a network of like-minded people. With a network, you can accomplish more of whatever it is you do in life.

The Basics of Power Networking

Power networking is based on two fundamental concepts – abundance and reciprocity. Abundance means that there is plenty of everything to go around. When you have a good contact or a helpful skill, you don’t keep it to yourself. You hook other people up, they hook you up, and there’s no sense of competition.

Reciprocity is a fancy word for a simple concept – when you do something good for others, it comes back to you many times over. You help others with no expectations or obligations and their natural response is to help you back. This is the ‘power’ of power networking.

You Are a Resource

The foundation of power networking is the idea that you are a resource for others. Of course, you expect some benefits from building your network, but this shouldn’t be your sole focus. Instead, you are a resource that others in your network can use. When you pay it forward in this way, helping others solve their problems with your knowledge and expertise, they’ll be more inclined to help you.

Getting to Know You

Long before you expect anything out of the people you meet, you simply need to get to know them. There is no short-term gain in power networking. Everything is done for the long-term benefits. First, you build trust, rapport, and good communication with the contacts you meet. It takes time to earn this trust and build this rapport, so you don’t start asking for favors immediately.

Six Degrees of Separation

A major benefit of networking is referrals. This means connecting people within your network who have the skills or knowledge that others need. It’s one of the best things you can do for another person. Likewise, people in your network will introduce you to other people you can help or who can help you. In this way, a network grows exponentially.

Becoming a Great Networker

Good networkers aren’t born. They’re created. Networking is a skill you learn and practice just like playing the piano or touch-typing. One of the great myths about networking is that it’s something you have to be a natural at. Even a total introvert can become a great networker.

The Power Networking Process

The following graphic shows an overview of The Power Networking Process:

As you can see, we’ve broken the process down into 6 stages…

1. Research – This is where you do your groundwork in finding the people with whom you want to network. You’re going to be looking for people who can help you meet your goals.
2. Connect – We’ll be discussing a variety of ways you can connect with the people you identified in your research.
3. Follow-Up – Following up is a critical part of networking and we’ll talk about the best ways to do that to build your relationships.
4. Outcome – At this point, you look at the results of your follow-up to decide on next steps.
5. Measure – You’ll need to frequently measure the results of your networking to see if you’re achieving your goals
6. Refine – As with any planning, you should regularly refine your action plans after checking in on results.

However, before you jump into any type of research, there are a number of steps you need to go through. Let’s get started.