Reconnect with Contacts You Already Know

Find ways to nurture relationships. Here are a few hints. I know I’m repeating myself, yet these are vital to your networking success:

• Listen and learn. Everyone likes to talk about themselves. When you listen, you will learn who they are, what is important to them, how you can help them, and how they can help you.
• Make connections. Help people connect with others you know who can help them.
• Follow up. When you promise to do something, keep your promise and do it in a timely fashion.
• Stay in touch. After an initial period of follow-ups, even if no business has resulted from those initial contacts, find ways to stay in touch. This way, you’ll continue to build a network of long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.