Seven Tips for Developing a Solid Networking Strategy from Cracking the
Networking CODE by Dean Lindsay
www.deanlindsay.com 214-457-5656 Copyright 2009
Seven Tips for
Developing a Solid
Networking Strategy
By Dean Lindsay
www.DeanLindsay.com
Author of The Progress Challenge and
Cracking the Networking CODE
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheProgressAgent
Let me start by offering this quick reminder:
Networking is NOT forcing yourself or your products on someone.
Networking IS getting to know people, their lives, and their needs.
Networking is NOT selling your products and services.
Networking IS selling yourself.
Networking is nothing new. Most of our relationships began through networking and
referrals. Heck, Paul McCartney met John Lennon through networking. One of the steps
in effective networking is to Open Face-to-Face Relationships. This involves creating
and sticking to a networking strategy.
Here are seven tips to consider:
1. Proactively seek the right new contacts.
Develop your plan of action and get started without delay. Identify who you want to
meet, where you are likely to meet them, and how you will follow up. Invest quality time
thinking about the people who can best offer you the right information, contacts, and
opportunities. Build relationships with these people by understanding what you have to
offer them.
Seven Tips for Developing a Solid Networking Strategy from Cracking the
Networking CODE by Dean Lindsay
www.deanlindsay.com 214-457-5656 Copyright 2009

Seven Tips for Developing a Solid Networking Strategy from Cracking the
Networking CODE by Dean Lindsay
www.deanlindsay.com 214-457-5656 Copyright 2009
Start by asking yourself:
Where are the best places to make face-to-face contact with them?
Answering this question will help you decide which organizations you should belong to
and which events you should attend. Important point: The organizations that are the best
fit will change over time as your business grows and your career develops.
2. Go with realistic expectations.
You are (probably) not going to land a big account or forge an automatic strong link from
a five-minute encounter. Networking takes patience! Networking takes persistence!
Come to terms with the fact that it is probably going to take more than one meeting for
folks to come to the conclusion that you are amazingly with -it and that you offer progress
for their lives. In fact, it has been proven that it takes most people six to eight positive
impressions to remember and begin to trust a new person.
Keep firmly in your mind that networking may not provide immediate benefits. It may
take years to see the results of your networking efforts, or you could open your e-mail in
the morning and have a cool opportunity from someone you connected with the day
before.
3. Start with people you know and trust.
Shy? Nervous? That’s understandable. Start with people you know and trust. Share
your desire to be introduced to quality individuals who would be good for you to know.
Get connected to the people your contacts know.
4. Vary your activities.
Grow your list of contacts each week. Start now and do not stop. If you’re planning to
hit several networking events in a single day, make sure you take time out to recharge.
Plan your schedule so that you have periods of solitude. Guard against scheduling a full
day of networking activities if you plan to network at an evening event. You’re after
quality, not quantity.
5. Successfully let go.
As you and your network grow, you will need to make some changes. Let go of
organizations and associations you can no longer maintain properly, or that are no longer
relevant. Without forgetting where you came from, allow your network to evolve with
you.
Seven Tips for Developing a Solid Networking Strategy from Cracking the
Networking CODE by Dean Lindsay
www.deanlindsay.com 214-457-5656 Copyright 2009

Seven Tips for Developing a Solid Networking Strategy from Cracking the
Networking CODE by Dean Lindsay
www.deanlindsay.com 214-457-5656 Copyright 2009
6. Have a goal for each event.
Decide what you hope to gain before you go. Write it down. Then get there and work
toward it. Commit to staying until you have met and connected with your predetermined
number or selection of people. Think about it. Set a target and push yourself. This will
keep you from walking aimlessly around the room.
7. Keep a log.
For a month, keep a log of everyone you meet.
Then classify and analyze them.
Which contacts are most valuable?
Where did you meet them?
Who are the takers and who are the givers?
Any time-wasters? Hey, your time is valuable too.
Crack the Networking CODE.
Be Progress.
________________________________________________________________________
Sign up for Dean’s FREE newsletter, The Progress Report, at: www.DeanLindsay.com
Author of The Progress Challenge: Working and Winning in a World of Change
Author of Cracking the Networking CODE: 4 Steps to Priceless Business Relationships
Spotlighted as an OUTSTANDING SPEAKER by the International Association of
Speakers Bureaus.
Recognized as a ‘Sales-and-Networking Guru’ by the Dallas Business Journal.
Dean Lindsay delivers killer keynotes, breakouts, general session presentations, and
interactive boot camps that Empower PROGRESS in Sales, Service and Workplace
Performance.
Dean serves as Guest Lecturer to UCLA and University of Dallas MBA programs as well
as the International Call Management Institute.
Dean Lindsay helps build Priceless Business Relationships.
Priceless Business Relationships are the key to:
Teamwork and Productivity Solid, Customer Care
Servant Leadership Retention and Morale
Organizational Success Quality Referral Generation
Recruiting Quality Professionals and MORE SALES!
www.DeanLindsay.com 214-457-5656
Seven Tips for Developing a Solid Networking Strategy from Cracking the
Networking CODE by Dean Lindsay
www.deanlindsay.com 214-457-5656 Copyright 2009