In this video, we're going to go over networking, so what we're going to go over is essentially some
networking dos and don'ts, how to go about networking the right way, how to build some connections,
how to develop a powerful network so that you can utilize it for, you know, your career, being able
to get new opportunities and being able to essentially have a network that you can go to for just different
things that come up or that arise depending on where you are in your career.
So let's go ahead and get started here.
So with networking, this is one of the best ways to market yourself as a web developer.
Right.
And it's by building your powerful network.
And a lot of times what happens here is that people go about networking the wrong way.
The best way to go about networking is to take a genuine interest in other people and trying to be as
helpful as possible.
One of the things that I see, you know, people do in networking events that I've gone to in person
and I some that are even, you know, online is that they're always talking about themselves, like,
you know, I do this.
This is what I do.
You know, I sell this, I provide this.
And it's all about me, me, me.
What I do versus a really good networker is somebody who is coming in with a genuine interest as to,
hey, what do you do?
I'm curious, you know, how do you work or what exactly do you provide instead of coming in there with
your own agenda about what you do, how you can help people?
And this is not because what ends up happening is that when you're talking to people, you're asking
them, hey, I'm curious, you know, what do you do?
Or, you know, what is it that you provide?
They're going to talk to you and tell you.
I mean, obviously, because you're not going to hesitate to tell you, hey, I actually do this.
I help people accomplish this or that or whatever service they provide.
Right.
They're going to inevitably tell you.
And so after that, what are they going to do?
Well, they're going to then go off and ask you, well, so then what do you do?
Tell me about yourself.
Notice how they are essentially asking you after the fact that you've already asked them versus you
coming in with your own agenda and just trying to, you know, pitch to them why, you know, your service
is great or what exactly you do.
The roles are essentially reversed where you're asking them, they're telling you.
And then now they're asking you, hey, what are you doing?
Versus you come in just trying to, you know, talk about what you do.
It's a big instead of you coming in, just trying to talk about what you do, notice how there's a huge
difference there and people will, you know, build more of a connection with you.
They'll realize there's a connection there.
And really, you're not really doing anything.
You're just kind of listening.
Right.
And letting it so that it comes natural versus trying to, you know, push your agenda on somebody.
Right.
And so LinkedIn is one of the best places online to network.
This is a great platform where you can build connections.
You can actually build connections with your existing connections.
For example, a good way would be like, you know, you have a connection that's a first here.
And you have, you know, somebody who is a second tier, third tier connection that is connected to
that first tier connection.
You can reach out to them and say, hey, I noticed you and I have similar connections and I notice
you're in X, Y, Z field.
Hey, just wanted to reach out and see if there may be something that we can collaborate on or whatever
that may be right.
Where you're able to build easily connections through your first connections as far as your first level
connections.
And you don't have to go and actually physically meet them.
It's just a fantastic way for you to be able to build connections online through the LinkedIn network.
And as the old saying goes, it's not what you know, it's who you know.
Right.
Because somebody who has a, you know, pretty decent level of experience but may know a lot of people
is oftentimes going to be able to get into really good positions because it's, you know, who they
know and it's the people they know versus somebody who is, let's say, the best developer in the world,
but doesn't have very many connections that have a pretty good network.
Right.
It's going to take them maybe a little bit longer and it'll be a little bit more challenging for them
to actually get a position, a job, because they have to work harder to be able to get their name out
there because they don't have the same level of network.
Right.
So very important there to keep that in mind and then focus on building quality of contacts and not
quantity.
Right.
You don't want to go out there and just connect with everybody and anybody.
You want to make sure it's the right kind of contacts that are going to help you, you know, have mutually
beneficial relationships.
Right.
With people that will benefit the most from actually connecting with you and then also from you being
connected with them.
Right.
So very important to keep that in mind.
And then social media groups such as Facebook groups and LinkedIn groups are also a great resource.
I mean, this is fantastic.
When I was doing a ton of coaching and consulting, Facebook groups were a great way.
For me to go out there and build connections and actually build relationships with people and actually
get clients as well from various Facebook groups, from, you know, being able to be in a similar group
and have the same sort of interest.
Right.
So don't underestimate the power of Facebook groups and also LinkedIn groups so that you can build connections,
relationships and overall have a great network.
So that's going to be here for this one.
And we'll see you on the next one.