What do you do if your professional network is weak and you're an entrepreneur?

One thing that has always been true for me is that in a networking situation you need to be able to open up first. Don't expect others to approach you and be able to tell you what you need to hear. Prepare that introduction, make it short, AND put a place in it for a response. Robert Cialdini would call this the principal of Reciprocity. Once you provide something, others will reciprocate in kind. Now that you have them talking you move towards your goals. Also keep an open mind during your conversation. You will never know what the other person is dealing with and how you may be able to help! Would a reciprocal arrangement work for your purposes? As Zig Ziglar would say, look for the person in the room that you can honestly help.

Cualquiera sea el perfil profesional y el entorno profesional que tengamos, es importante que no nos limitemos a ser consumidores de contenido. Pensemos en cuál es el valor que le ofrecemos a nuestras redes, qué de nuestra experiencia podría ser útil a los demás. Pensemos que recibir es tan importante como dar y es de esta manera que enriquecemos nuestras interacciones y fortalecemos nuestras relaciones.

Begin with the end in mind! As an entrepreneur, it's important to clarify your long-term vision. What impact do you want to make in your community? How do you want to grow your business? What personal development do you want to achieve? Your vision will guide your networking efforts and help you connect with the right people. So take the time to reflect on your goals and aspirations, and let them be your compass as you navigate the entrepreneurial journey.

I saw many founders struggle because they networked without a target. Is it customers, industry experts, or just validation? Having a clear goal is key. For example, YC founders often find their first customers from other YC founders. Target your network and focus on building relationships that deliver value for both sides. This approach is way more efficient than random coffee chats.

Think outside the box when considering networking events. Attending conferences and workshops that are related to your field, but don't necessarily address your particular job, can be helpful. For example, voice actors can consider e-Learning conferences as a way to make connections. Networking is about building genuine connections and relationships, so be authentic, professional, and proactive in your networking efforts.

Targeting is everything in networking. When I'm mentoring startups, I tell founders to forget spray-and-pray outreach. Instead, research your ideal customers or partners. What online spaces do they frequent? Twitter threads, niche Slack communities? Find them there, engage authentically, and provide value. It's way more effective than cold emails.

Forget the sales pitch. When you talk to anyone, be authentic and supportive. Offer real insights, connect folks, be a resource. That's how trust gets built, doors open, and magic happens.

Crear y generar valor y confianza requiere esfuerzo, tiempo y constancia en cualquier mercado, pero incluso más si es online. Hay mucha competencia y si no tienes unos valores claros, puede resultar muy dificil. Creo que mostrar empatía, humanidad, personalidad y respeto por lo que haces de diferentes formas puede ayudar a aproximarte al cliente y generar importancia.

De acuerdo con mi experiencia, siempre es bueno estar en contacto con tus propios clientes, estudiantes e interesados. Incluso para enviarles experiencias gratuitas, de esta manera, muestras respeto por tu negocio e interés verdadero en que aprendan.

Founders underestimate the follow-up. You make a connection, great! But then it dies. No bueno. Be respectful of their time, sure, but a quick email with a specific question or asking for an intro to someone relevant shows initiative.

Don't just collect connections, activate them. Ask your network for intros or recommendations. Join their groups. This is way more effective than cold outreach. But it's a two-way street. You can also build authority by creating content - blog posts, podcasts - that showcase your expertise.