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I wholeheartedly agree with your post. In my opinion, professional networks are absolutely necessary, particularly for outward facing roles, such as sales, marketing, executive and even for volunteer leadership roles.

In the early days of my career I spent much time building networks through volunteer leadership which introduced me to the people I knew I needed to meet, but would otherwise never be able to cross paths with. I recommend this for everyone, whether you are just starting in your career or whether you are well into your career, but need to build access to a broader network.

Hi Aaron,

I agree with you that forming and growing a professional network is vital. In fact whenever someone asks me for the one thing I know now that I wish I had known then I tell them that I wish I had known how important networking and keeping track of the people in your network is to your success.

Here are some tips I have to share for anyone looking to grow and engage their network:
1. Volunteer! Whether it is for your professional society or a local group volunteering allows you to really get to know people because you are doing something more than just sharing a drink and a mini egg roll with them.
2. Don't be shy! If you volunteer or go to a networking event and don't talk to anyone then you are not helping yourself.
3. Be genuine! I have been to a number of networking events where someone comes up to talk to me and you can just feel there is some sort of an angle. I don't know what it is but something in your gut tells you that this person doesn't really care about getting to know you.
4. Don't spend too much time with the people you know or with any one person. If you come to events and hang with your boys (or girls) all night long then you will never expand your network.
5. Don't over-do it! I am not just referring to the number of drinks. I also mean don't come on too strong. If you push too hard it makes people feel awkward and that is not a good way to get them to talk with you.
6. Follow up! Even if you have not had a long conversation with someone it is important that you follow up to let them know you remember them and that you enjoyed meeting them. This helps cement the relationship.
7. No one is off limits! Don't be afraid to talk to the best looking woman (or man), or the highest ranking person in the room. As long as you don't monopolize their time or slur your words networking events are places where anyone can talk to anyone.
8. Be, and look, professional! No, you don't have to wear a jacket and tie to every networking event (believe me, I don't) but you do need to dress professionally and act professionally. If you don't it will do you more harm than good. Even if the most intelligent, business savvy person in the room if you look unprofessional you will be perceived that way and we all know what happens then.
9. Use your friends! If you are kind of shy, or don't know a lot of people in the room don't be afraid to go up to the folks you do know when they are talking to someone you might want to meet. Don't shadow them all night long unless they know you are looking for them to show you around but don't be afraid to use their networks to grow your own.
10. Use social networking sites! To me this is a given in the world today. If I had to make one recommendation in this area I would say that if you have limited time focus on a few key sites and use only those. Unless you never sleep it is impossible for anyone to take full advantage of all of the sites that are now out there. By selecting only those that make the most sense for you and that have the utility that you want you will get more bang for your buck.

Until my current position I had never really been in sales. When I was doing membership, marketing and circulation getting to know the right people was equally as important, if not more so than it is in my current role as a consultant. I mention this in closing becauwse I firmly believe that networking is important for everyone.

Good post, Aaron - To pick up on Scott's #`10 - I've personally gained quite a bit of benefit from using LinkedIn and Twitter as tools for expanding and leveraging my professional network. One of the keys to each is that they give you the ability to ask questions. As your post suggests, often one of the best ways to engage with and learn from others is simply to ask them about something they know about but you don't. I find that LinkedIn, in particular, makes it easy to connect to people who are likely to know. - Jeff

This discussion is very much pointing to a product call "Forum" that is used very successfully in some very high profile associations like Young Presidents' Organization. Forum is a confidential, structured group of 8-12 peers who meet on a monthly basis to share, learn and grow. I recently read a book written by one of their leading providers of the program. The book is: Forum The Secret Advantage of Successful Leaders by Mo Fathelbab (who has presented at Great Ideas). All I can tell you is we've all been in groups that didn't work before and Mo shows a step by step process for launching and maintaining successful Forums.

Great comments, everyone! Scott, I especially appreciate your “Top Ten” list. Once again, the common theme here seems to be to put yourself out there and to stand out in a crowd. Professional networks don’t grow themselves; they require a significant amount of time and energy. As young professionals – and as association professionals, in general – we need to take advantage of every networking opportunity that’s available to us. Likewise, for those who are less outgoing, social networking sites seem to be an equally viable way to expand your professional network in a relatively easy and less threatening way.