We've all heard it before: It's not WHAT you know, but WHO you know.

Here's the thing: most people SUCK at networking.

That's because it's kind of hard to do effectively. Allow me to make it easy for you.

Over the next few days, I'm going to share some of my principles for effective networking (there's only three, but they're important).

First things, first:

Have you ever gone to a networking event?

No? Lucky you, they're often dreadful. Nevertheless, here's how it usually goes:

• You find out about this cool event led by leaders in your space giving out secrets for success in your arena, and a chance to rub elbows with like-minded people. This sounds like an AMAZING opportunity, so you sign up.
• You're there, and it's kind of...overwhelming. You meet a crap-ton of people, and you don't remember ANY of their names. That's because most of the interactions go something like this:
• "Hi! I'm Doug Dimmadome, owner of the Dimmsdale Dimmadome, home to the Dimmsdale Auto Show, and I'd like to help you with your business needs! I specialize in blah, blah, blah, here's my card. Give me a call"
• You go, "what?". You're probably thinking about what an interesting name this stranger has. They slide you their card, only to disappear into the ether of endless faces. Later on, you realize you barely remember who they are, what they do, or how they can help you.
• Finally, you come home. Your pockets are stuffed with business cards of people for people you don't remember, all of which are destined for the trash.
• The event was a rousing success.

We've all heard the sage wisdom of the internet gurus giving you the keys to life. It goes something like this:

"You're the sum total of the five people you spend the most time with."

That's kind of true. You do take on characteristics of the people you spend the most time with, but it's missing a little something, some...specificity.

I'll change this around a bit: "Your life will mirror the habits & general opportunities of the five people you absorb the most from."

A bit clearer, isn't it?

With this in mind, if you're going to take on characteristics from others, you need to be careful of who you spend time with. More specifically, you need to be strategic in who you absorb from.

This leads to my first principle of effective networking:

Be Specific About What, and Then Be Strategic About Who:

You can't hit a target in the dark. Likewise, you can't get to your goals without knowing exactly what they are, and what you'll need to get there. Somewhere along the path to greatness, you'll need some help from some good people.

Being specific about who means looking at your goal, and figuring out what people are aligned with that goal. This usually includes recruiters, managers, producers, and people in that particular role.

For example, I'm a writer. Screenplays, blogs, news, etc. I've done it all. My career goal though is to be a Creative Producer in film & TV.

With that in mind, I think often about the people that I'd need to know to get there: TV & film producers, recruiters for companies that produce TV & film, writers in the industry, etc.

From there, my strategy centers around connecting with people in these kinds of roles so that I can learn more about the role & what's needed to progress, while also nurturing new relationships with cool people.

This segues into principle numero dos, and honestly, it's just as important if not more than the first:

Connect With The Person, Not The Position.

We'll talk about that one later. This is too long already ;)

Thaaaat's all folks!