Issue #24 - Building strong, healthy relationships in your professional network 🌐

Having a strong professional network is key to success in any industry. Let’s explore some tips and tricks on how to build strong & healthy relationships in your professional network.

Jan 27

Welcome to the 24th issue of 5 Minute Friday from The Backpack CPA! Every Friday I share a short newsletter with tips & resources to help you with your professional & personal growth & development!

Let's start "GROWING" through our human journey instead of just "GOING" through it!

First a few words from a wise person…

“Networking is a lot like nutrition and fitness: we know what to do, the hard part is making it a top priority.” ~ Keith Ferrazzi

Building strong, healthy relationships in your professional network 🌐

Having a strong professional network is key to success in any industry. Not only can it help you land better jobs & more sales, but it also provides opportunities to connect with people who share similar interests, learn new skills, and develop meaningful relationships & even find new lifelong friends. Let’s explore some tips and tricks on how to build strong, healthy relationships in your professional network.

Start With Who You Know
The best way to start building your professional network is by connecting with people you already know. Start by reaching out to peers, former coworkers, classmates, or even friends of friends who work in your field or related fields. It’s important that these connections are genuine and mutually beneficial. Ask yourself what kind of value you can offer each other—whether it’s advice, referrals, or just someone to bounce ideas off of—before reaching out.

Get Social Online
In-person networking events are slowly making a comeback, but there are still plenty of ways to meet like-minded professionals online. LinkedIn is one of the most popular ways to connect with individuals in a similar industry as well as potential employers or clients. Research shows that having a complete profile increases your chances of being noticed by recruiters and potential business partners. Other platforms such as Twitter and Facebook are also great for networking; just make sure that your online presence is professional and appropriate for a business setting. And remember if there is someone online that you want to get to know or connect with and you’re thinking “They don’t know me,” or “How do I get their attention?”, just click that “Send Connection Request” or “Follow” button! Remember, we’re all humans and we all long for human connection.

Be Helpful & Generous
In addition to connecting with others in person or online, make sure you’re actively engaging in conversations and offering advice when appropriate. Helping others succeed shows that you’re invested in their success which will help build trust between both parties over time. Additionally, don’t forget about giving back! Whether it’s sharing posts from other people or commenting on other people’s posts —being generous will go a long way in developing strong relationships within your network. Provide value and don’t worry about the immediate returns!

Building strong professional relationships takes time and effort but the payoff can be huge! Reaching out regularly (but not too often), engaging authentically online, and offering help whenever possible are all great ways to strengthen your professional network over time. Remember that networking isn't just about increasing sales or finding new jobs; it's also about creating meaningful connections with peers who share similar interests and goals! Investing time into building these relationships pays off in the end so don't hesitate - get started today!

P.S. I’ll be presenting A FREE WEBINAR! Would love for you to check it out!

Hosted by The Grove powered by Liscio titled “Mindfulness for The Busy Professional” on February 22, 2023, at 12 PM PST | 3 PM EST.

Webinar Details & Registration Link

📗💡 Learning/Tools

Digital Business Cards
Since this newsletter was about “networking,” I thought it would be relevant to talk about digital business cards.

Digital business cards are a convenient alternative to traditional paper business cards. They can be easily shared via email, text message, or QR code, and can include interactive elements such as links to social media profiles, videos, and more. Digital business cards can also be easily updated with new information, such as a change in job title or contact information. Additionally, many digital business card apps and websites allow you to track who has viewed your card, giving you valuable insights into your networking efforts. Overall, digital business cards are a great way to make a professional and lasting impression while also reducing your environmental footprint.

There are many options out there, but Popl is a popular one! (+plus you get 20% off if you click my link!)

5 Minute Friday - by The Backpack CPA!

Issue #24 - Building strong, healthy relationships in your professional network 🌐

Having a strong professional network is key to success in any industry. Let’s explore some tips and tricks on how to build strong & healthy relationships in your professional network.

📗💡 Learning/Tools