Expanding Your Network In The Time Of COVID (Paying It Forward in the Pandemic)

If you are like me, you have been at home for far too long and Zoom has become a constant companion. You meet people in person only occasionally, and conferences are a distant memory. The Pre-COVID methods for finding new clients and collaborators are long gone. So, what do we do instead?  How do we expand our networks in a time of isolation? How do we make connections when our masks get in the way?
 
The answer is straightforward, and your network holds the key. Every person whom you know, knows hundreds of others. They are connected by alumni networks, social media platforms, and family ties. Send out the bat signal, and they will jump to action.
 
Well, sort of.
 
First, you have to pay it forward. You have to make the first move with an offer of assistance, an offer to do something genuine that will help your friends and business contacts to achieve their goals. It’s a virtuous cycle where you help the people in your network and they do the same for you.
 
For example, a friend recently contacted me because he is developing a new, innovative platform and is seeking investors. He wondered if I knew anyone who would be interested. I replied that I was not enthusiastic about fundraising, but offered to help in some other way. We set up a call.
 
I was expecting a pitch, but didn’t hear it. Instead, he asked me about me. What was I up to? What projects was I working on? Then he offered to help. He said that he would like to make introductions to potential collaborators for ME! After several minutes, we turned to his project. By the end of his short presentation, I easily thought of several of my contacts who might be interested in working with him or investing in his venture. I couldn’t make any promises, but I told him I’d reach out to my business connections to see if there was any interest.
 
Wouldn’t you know, the first person I contacted asked me what I was working on, and offered to introduce me to a potential client! And so it goes, on and on.
 
Making introductions and referrals is critical to expanding your network. but the act of making the introduction shouldn’t be onerous. It can be easy, quick and fun!
 
Connector Street ®️ is a free app that helps you make instant connections. The people that you introduce don’t need the app to open your intro. And, once they do open your intro, they can connect with the other person with just one click. The app keeps a record of all of the connections that you make and receive. So you can keep track and follow up with all of your contacts without missing a beat. This is the quarantine networking app we need right now.
 
We’re all at home now. Reach out to your friends and business contacts. Find out what they’re working on and offer to help. Be generous with your introductions and referrals. And don’t forget to share what you’re working on, explain what you need to be successful, and the types of people who could be helpful. Let your contacts help you by making introductions on your behalf. These are challenging times. We can all succeed together.
 
Find Connector Street in the App Store and Google Play.

Andrea Tinianow is Connector in Chief of Connector Street.