Your network determines your net worth, and the fastest way to grow it is counterintuitive: be a giver.
People who look for ways to help others, without keeping score, build deeper and wider networks than people who are always asking. This curriculum covers how to meet people, build rapport, and stay generous.
Watch the videos, do the readings, and practice.
The Videos
Video 1 of 8: Adam Grant's TED Talk, Are You a Giver or a Taker?
Video 2 of 8: Networking Panel Discussion, Michigan Summer Series
Video 3 of 8: 10 Simple Tips to Be a Professional Networking Superstar
Video 4 of 8: How to Talk to Anyone and Become a Master Communicator (animated summary)
Video 5 of 8: Who Do You Know That I Should Know?
Video 6 of 8: How to Exchange Business Cards
Video 7 of 8: Networking Tips in the US
Video 8 of 8: Get a Networking Wingman and Know Why You're Going There
Required Readings
- Pay It Forward With the Five-Minute Favor (Forbes, on Adam Grant's idea).
- 5/25/150: The Secret of the Best Networker I Ever Met (Sean Johnson).
- The Magic Rapport Formula® (Joe Polish's nine steps).
- How to Write a (Successful) Cold DM (Justin Welsh).
- How to Become Insanely Well-Connected (First Round Review).
Resources
- Foundations of Being More Relatable course (use code MALLOY).
- Branding, Interviewing, and Accelerating Your Career (Aaron Wolff's free guide).
- Best Ways to Talk to Anyone (slides).
- 92 Ways to Talk to Anyone, book report (based on Leil Lowndes).
- Networking With Purpose (slides).
- The Fine Art of Small Talk, our summary of Debra Fine's book.
- 257 Questions to Ask Your Friends (Science of People).
Where to Go Next
Related: The Go-Giver on why generosity wins, the 5×7 Rule for turning contacts into friends, and reasons to keep in touch after you've followed up. For deeper one-on-one outreach, try Informational Interviews.
If a stronger network is really about growing revenue, Talk to our Team about putting fractional sales leadership in place.