"Pull the thread" networking

When I advise people on how to network and build relationships, I tell them to start with their current network.

This means they should reach out to people they already know: friends, co-workers, clients, etc. Maybe not enemies.

The reason I do this is because cold networking, while useful, has a much lower success rate. E-mailing 10 people you don't know and only getting one response back (which is normal) can be discouraging.

But what happens when you run out of people that you know?

It's simple. You ask them to introduce you to people they know!

The key is to be specific.

If, in the course of the conversation your co-worker mentions a friend who works at a different company doing similar work as you, you can ask "hey, if you're not too uncomfortable with this, would you be open to making an e-mail intro?"

If you just ask for an introduction to anyone they won't do it. It's too vague.

Now not everyone will be willing to introduce you to their network. That's okay. But if you pull on enough threads your efforts will eventually pay off.

Want the full playbook? Check out Going 1099.