network running. No matter how good you are at networking, there's
always a little something extra you can try to help the people around
you and encourage them to think of you when leads and opportunities
arise. Here are a few to try.
Checking in with People
Our acquaintances are the people who are most likely to bring us the
most opportunities, because they connect us to the world outside our
inner social circle. But how do we keep up with all of those various
people? Here are some ways to keep yourself in people's minds:
1. Check in with them. Whenever you think "I wonder how so and so is
doing?" or "Whatever happened with that project they were working on?"
send that person a short email. Keep it simple, tell them they were on
your mind, and ask them a question or two about themselves. It's also
a good idea to tell them something small about what's happening with
you.
2. Have a party. Every so often, have a casual cocktail party and
invite all of your friends and acquaintances. It's a great chance to
see people you don't have time to visit with one-on-one, and even if
people can't attend they'll be flattered by the invitation.
3. Share your good news personally. When something big happens in your
life, like a new job, home, or baby, share the news in personal emails
or calls. It's a great opportunity to check in, and make people feel
like they're a part of your life. Always remember to ask people how
they're doing, too, to invite a response.
Passing on Leads
What goes around inevitably comes around. When you help people get a
job, date, or an apartment, they're going to remember you when they
hear of a great opportunity that has your name written all over it. So
whenever an opportunity comes your way that you can't take advantage
of, make sure you pass it on. Here's an example of how to keep your
social karma working for you:
1. Say you meet someone great who's looking for love, but you're
currently in a relationship or not interested. Make a mental list of
everyone you know who's single and who seems like a good fit.
2. If possible, try to focus first on people who've helped you in the past.
3. Give one of the lucky people on your list a call, and offer to set
something up if they're interested. Don't be pushy; just tell them you
met this great person who might be a good match for them. Offer to
have a dinner party, or invite both of them to join you for coffee or
a cozy dinner out.
4. Don't feel responsible for the outcome. You're just sharing
opportunities out of the goodness of your heart. You can't make
something happen; all you can do is help something happen if it's
meant to be.
Memorable Thank Yous
When someone does you a favor, don't forget to say thanks. In fact,
it's always a good idea to go the extra mile and do something special
to show someone how much you appreciate their help. It'll make them
much more inclined to help you again in the future, and besides, it's
the polite thing to do. Some favors are bigger than others, so if
someone gets you your dream job, don't just shoot off an e-mail saying
thanks. Here are some ways to say "thank you" in a way they'll
remember:
1. For special favors: Send them a gift that's personalized to the
favor. If they hooked you up with the love of your life, send them
some romantic CDs or a gift certificate to your favorite romantic
restaurant. If they connected you with the realtor that helped you
find your first home, buy them something nice for their home. This
way, when they see the gift, they'll remember that it was in return
for their act of kindness.
2. For acts of kindness: If someone gives you support during a
difficult time, or comes through for you, give them a more intimate
gift. It doesn't have to be expensive — a copy of a favorite book or
CD, some nice bath salts, or some pretty flowers can be a great way to
show someone that you appreciate them coming through for you.
3. For tiny favors: Everyone loves receiving a handwritten note or
card in the mail. In today's electronic world, sending a thank you
they can hold is a nice way to set your thanks apart.
