The author describes how he initially tried to maximize connections at events by handing out many business cards but made no real connections. He then adopted a targeted "six touch point" system of following up with interested contacts at least six times through different means like Twitter, email, and LinkedIn. This approach helped him build a valuable relationship with Sam Smith that later led to him getting a job managing a $500,000 student venture fund.

1. How I Hustled My
Way To Managing a
$500K Fund

2. Hi. I'm Matt. And if I listen to another person chat with me about how they can "work the
room," I might puke.
I'll admit - I get it. All the so-called-top-tips on how to become a networker involve schmoozing
it or losing it. So when I first started attending different events and conferences, I'd walk around
trying to "work the room," too.
After a brief elevator pitch lacking in context and abrupt in nature, I handed out business cards
like the total business gangster I thought I was. I went home with a lighter pocket of business
cards and high level of excitement for all the people I'd just connected with. I anxiously
refreshed my inbox that whole week, wondering who among my new connections would email
me first.

3. No one emailed me.
I later realized that I hadn't actually made any real connections. Although I followed all the text
book advice of meeting as many people as possible, printing a full stack of business cards, and
ensuring my elevator pitch was pristine ... my conversations were as good as nonexistent. Then I
thought about it more in different scenarios ...
So why do we treat professional relationship building any differently?

4. Since then, I've adopted a targeted, six touch point networking system.
Rather than maximizing on the power of numbers, I maximize on the power of targeted
connections. Before an event, I make a list of the people I want to connect with - or types of
people I want to connect with. I'll follow the event hashtag, public RSVP list, or any other means
of attendee discovery and figure out who to actually approach.
After that initial introduction, I ensure I continue to engage with each individual I found
interesting at least six times. These touch points can be exercised in various ways -
 Twitter: While I tweet as frequently (but not-creepily) as possible with my desired
contacts, I only include two tweets in my list of six touch points.
 Email: I could spam a contact to the heavens. Instead, if I do email interact, I count up to
two emails in my overall six.
 Face-to-Face Conversation: This is a must in the mix of six touch points. To be clear, I
see this as a casual conversation happening at an event or conference. I haven't yet earned
the right to have a private coffee.
 Live Interaction: If I'm trying to connect with a speaker / panelist, I'll ask a question
during the Q&A and ensure I state my name before posing it. When this is possible, I'll
count it as one touch point.
 LinkedIn Request: Connecting on LinkedIn is typically counted as one touch point.
However, if a connection has a new job or work anniversary that you "Like" or comment
on, I'd count that as a second.
While all these touch points may feel unnecessary, following this model has built the foundation
of many valuable connects. Rather than focusing on quantity, my focus on quality ensures I have
actual people to lean on for advice, hiring, investing, or so on.
This six touch point system came into full swing when I met Sam Smith.
I was at a conference in NYC and spotted a woman who was seemingly in charge. I figured as an
organizer, she would be a valuable person to connect with. When the opportunity presented
itself, I exchanged a brief conversation. I later found out that she was on a team of student VCs
at the Dorm Room Fund, a student-run venture firm that invests in student-run companies. My
initial gut of her importance was spot on. Touch point one - ✔.

5. The next day, the conference included a breakout session where each group had to work together
to provide a solution to a problem. After learning more about the Dorm Room Fund the previous
evening, I targeted the group Sam was in. Now we had the opportunity to converse naturally
without the stress of figuring out what to discuss. Touch point two - ✔.

6. On the final day of the conference, I made it a point to say goodbye. I thanked her for all her
work putting the event together. Although a brief moment, it was still a face-to-face interaction,
reminding her of who I am. Touch point three - ✔.
After the conference, I connected with virtually by -
 Following her on Twitter (touch point four ✔)
 Adding her on LinkedIn with a short message (touch point five ✔)
 Commenting on a blog she authored (touch point six ✔)
At this point, I felt as if she was truly a member in my network - someone I could go to if
needed. I continued to engage with her online from time-to-time to keep the memory of me
natural and fresh.
Two years after our first touch point, this connect paid out big time.
I found out that the Dorm Room Fund was coming to Boston (where I was residing), so I reached
out to Sam for advice on how to make it on to the team. Not only was she kind enough to lend
advice, she ended up being among the people interviewing me. In fact, during the interview she
said something along the lines of, "I'm such a huge fan of yours!"
Turns out all the time I spent investing in my relationship with her was enough for her to take
just as much interest in me in return.
When I first met Sam, I had little insight into how our relationship would benefit me in the
future. But I knew I wanted her in my network. Now, I manage a team of 11 student partners for
Boston's Dorm Room Fund, overseeing a $500,000 fund for student-run companies - and love
every minute of it!

7. Market to
Bluetooth
enabled android
phones 100m
from you. Find
out more Here: