I hope you’re following along as we countdown the final 100 days of 2022 - you can join us anytime. Learn more about the program HERE.

In our fourth and final segment on networking, we’re going to focus on giving back.  It takes time to build a strong and effective network, one that supports you in many ways.  One of the quickest ways to lose your network is to only take from it and not give back.  

So, let’s explore some of the common reasons people have not given back to their network:

• No one has reached out and asked you for anything lately.

• I don’t know what they need if they don’t tell me.

• I try and connect with people as often as possible.  I’m not sure when the last time was.

• I just get busy and it’s hard to prioritize it.

In most instances, the lack of connection to valuable network contacts isn’t intentional.  But when we need those people, we want them to be there for us.  Reciprocity is really important.  Let’s look at the reasons and how we can counter them:

• No one has reached out and asked you for anything lately.  

  • This could be the case, or it could be that they don’t know what value you might be able to add.  Hearing from you more often lets people know you’re there for them.

• I don’t know what they need if they don’t tell me.

  • But…have you asked?  Some people find it hard to ask for help, but it doesn’t mean they don’t need it.  Reach out to catch up for a few minutes, even if it’s in an email.  A phone call is always better!  You just might catch them on a day when they could really use your support. 

• I try and connect with people as often as possible.  I’m not sure when the last time was.  

  • If you can’t remember, or know that it’s been more than 90 days, it’s probably been too long.  

• I just get busy and it’s hard to prioritize it.

  • Everyone is busy.  We make time for what’s important.  If you utilize “time blocking” on your calendar to keep up on important tasks, this is an easy way to keep it in front of you.  Sending handwritten notes to people in my network is very important to me.  I commit to five per week.  I have a 30-minute time block on my calendar, one morning each week, to keep my commitment.  It’s on my calendar, I don’t ignore it, and it happens.  We make time for what’s important!

If you have people in your network who have not heard from you in a while, now is the time to step into showing you care about the relationship.  Reach out today and give back.  It will come back to you tenfold.