The Networker #51: Build 1000 Relationships A Year, In 3 Minutes Per Day

24 Jan, 2024
Read time: 2 minutes & 11 seconds

How could you nurture 1000 relationships this year?

Jesse Itzler will.

In under 3 minutes a day.

How?!

Itzler shared his approach on a podcast that he uses to build relationships (watch the clip here).

It proves how simple it can be to build your existing connections.

With real practical application.

Unfortunately, many networkers build or nurture their network only when they need something.

That’s the worst time to do so.

Or they are unsure when or how to reach out.

Below, I dive into his method where you can essentially give out 1000 ‘permission slips’ a year.

And build relationships authentically – in 3 minutes a day.

Firstly, who is Jesse Itzler?

A fascinating individual and serial entrepreneur.

I dived into a rabbit hole after watching the video and listening to the podcast.

He’s an entrepreneur, author, and rapper. Co-founder of one of the largest private jet companies in the world, a partner in Zico Coconut Water, and one of the owners of the Atlanta Hawks NBA team.

So you could say he’s done ok for himself.

Oh, he’s also married to Sara Blakely, the Founder of Spanx.

Power couple alert.

What’s his method?

Itzler realised he could send a thoughtful message to someone in his life in less than 1 minute.

So if he did that three times, he could send 1000 messages per year (in just three minutes per day).

This could be anyone, for example:

  • Clients
  • Referrers
  • Connections
  • Suppliers
  • Friends
  • Leads

But what do you say?!

Itzler explains just how easy this can be.

What does he send to them?

Itzler recommends the 3 C’s.

You choose from three types of messages, where you either:

  • Compliment
  • Congratulate
  • Console

If your message hits one of those three Cs, you authentically connect with that person and build on the relationship.

I love this – as here’s where most get stuck, myself included.

I’m so often thinking what I can say in a message other than “hey just checking in”.

Or ‘what are you currently working on?’

This framework removes the feeling like you’re just ‘checking in’.

Doing so in an authentic way, without a hidden agenda.

When does he do this?

I like the way he says he does it as he’s waiting to pick up his kids from school.

An excellent example of habit stacking.

I’m sure you can find a point in your day to do this?

  • Picking the kids up from school
  • On the train during your commute
  • Waiting for your morning coffee

3-5 minutes a day needed.

Compounded over weeks, months, years – the impact would be immense.

Compared to that 3-5 minutes you’re likely doom scrolling Facebook or Instagram…

The Wrap Up 

I tried this a couple of days last week.

And it’s addictive.

Warning: the addictiveness gets worse when you get a response.

Three messages can easily become four or five.

But maybe you don’t want to build 1000 relationships. To focus on quality rather than quantity.

That’s fine.

Look at it this way instead.

1000 opportunities to build 500 relationships twice.

1000 opportunities to build 250 relationships four times.

1000 opportunities to build 100 relationships ten times!

You catch my drift.

Whilst you might not reach 1000 (you might exceed it), I strongly believe we all have 3 minutes a day to reach out to someone with one of the three C’s.

Or don’t have capacity to do this daily? Start weekly.

Consider it a condensed version of the 12-4-1 Framework.

What Is The Networker?

The weekly newsletter to help business owners and sales leaders network smarter.

1 networking tip, trend or tidbit – every Wednesday morning.

Connect With Me

Previous Editions

The Networker #55: 4 Ways To Improve Your Conversations

The Networker #55: 4 Ways To Improve Your ConversationsRead time: 3 minutes & 22 secondsWhen someone recommends a book to me, I don’t rush to buy it right away. Here’s what I do. Search for the author on Spotify to find podcasts they’ve appeared on. What you find...

The Networker #54: What Time Of Day Is Best For Networking?

The Networker #54: What Time Of Day Is Best For Networking?Read time: 2 minutes & 12 secondsMorning, afternoon, or evening? What’s the best time to network? Today I talk through this old age conundrum with networking. Because networking becomes more enjoyable and...

The Networker #52: How To Increase Your Enjoyment From Networking

The Networker #52: How To Improve Your Enjoyment From NetworkingRead time: 1 minute & 20 secondsNetworking and playing golf have a lot in common.  Before I lose you, you don’t have to like or play golf to understand this edition. Replace golf with any sport you...

The Networker #50: 7 Networking Lessons From 50 Editions

The Networker #50: 7 Networking Lessons From 50 EditionsRead time: 3 minutes & 46 secondsA year ago, I committed to writing a weekly networking newsletter. As I hit 50 editions, I reflect and realise there are lessons and principles that can be applied to...

The Networker #47: Best Editions of 2023

The Networker #47: The Most Shared Editions of 2023Read time: 3 minutes & 44 secondsI spent a white trying to think of a quirky acronym for these awards. The NOTYA’s 2023 is the best I’ve got. The Networker Of The Year Award 2023. Where I recognise the editions...

The Networker #46: How To Maximise Networking In December

The Networker #46: How To Maximise Your Network (Or Not Networking) In DecemberRead time: 3 minutes & 44 secondsDecember is a funny month for networking. Social events ramp up. Traditional networking events slow down. With many other occasions filling your diary...

The Networker #44: My #1 Book Recommendation For Networkers

The Networker #44: My #1 Book Recommendation For NetworkersRead time: 2 minutes & 44 secondsI had a friend doing some work for me in the garden recently. He was a landscaper for over 10 years. But last year he changed industry into the world of sales and customer...

The Networker #43: Your Network Trust Battery

The Networker #43: Your Network Trust BatteryRead time: 3 minutes & 42 secondsThe Networker is all about helping you network smarter. Some editions are practical. Some offer a new way to think about your networking. Today’s edition is one of the latter. As I dive...

The Networker #38: The 12-4-1 Follow Up Framework

The Networker #38: The 12-4-1 Follow Up FrameworkRead time: 4 minutes & 11 secondsThe magic of networking happens between the events. And with the 12-4-1 Follow Up Framework, you can become a networking magician. Unfortunately, many believe following up after an...

The Networker #37: Amateur v Elite Networkers

The Networker #37: Amateur v Elite NetworkersRead time: 3 minutes & 43 secondsIn any discipline, you’ll have amateur and elite level individuals. It’s not genetics that differentiates them. It’s how they think, how they behave and approach their skill. From their...

The Networker #34: 6 Tools That’ll Support Your Networking

The Networker #34: 6 Tools That'll Support Your NetworkingRead time: 4 minutes & 15 secondsNetworking has evolved far beyond the traditional exchange of business cards. Truth be told, I can count on my hands how many times I’ve given out a business card this year....

The Networker #28: Joining Conversations at Networking Events

The Networker #28: Joining Conversations at Networking EventsRead time: 5 minutes & 27 secondsIn my time I’ve witnessed (and been on the receiving end of) some very dubious methods to joining conversations. From the bull-in-a-china-shop style entrance. To the...

The Networker #27: Visual Networking Lessons [Part 2]

The Networker #27: Visual Networking Lessons [Part 2]Read time: 2 minutes & 32 secondsToday's edition is part two following on from edition #12​. With some more visual networking lessons. Whilst I love to write and share networking nuggets and my musings,...

The Networker #24: The Power of an Accountability Networker

The Networker #24: The Power of an Accountability NetworkerRead time: 3 minutes & 22 secondsI touched on this concept in edition #2 of The Networker. And received a number of replies acknowledging. The premise of finding an ‘accountability networker’. And how it...

The Networker #23: Will AI Be The Death Of Networking

The Networker #23: Will AI Be The Death of NetworkingRead time: 2 minutes & 58 secondsWill AI be the death of networking? My opinion is - the opposite will happen. Let’s dive in.In recent years, the use of AI has significantly increased. And this year it seems AI...

The Networker #20: 30 Minute Weekly System to Engage Your Network

The Networker #20: 30 Minute Weekly System to Engage Your NetworkRead time: 2 minutes & 41 secondsToday I’m introducing something brand spanking new. A practical model and system I hope can truly help you become a smarter networker. Consider it a 30 minute workout...

The Networker #19: Craft The Perfect Networking Introduction

The Networker #19: Craft Your Perfect Introduction at Networking EventsRead time: 1 minute & 22 seconds (+ watch time)“So what do you do?” The most common question you navigate at a networking event. And my guess is your answer ticks one (or more) of these:...

The Networker #18: The Networking Event Sandwich

The Networker #18: The Networking Event SandwichRead time: 2 minutes & 41 secondsThe sandwich. A staple in the diet of so many… From school days spent tentatively waiting to find out which filling you’ve got in your lunchbox… To your on-the-go supermarket meal...

The Networker #17: Leaving Conversations at Networking Events

The Networker #17: Leaving Conversations at Networking Events - Without Feeling RudeRead time: 3 minutes & 15 secondsToday I address the challenge 1 in 5 of you have shared to the question I pose when subscribing to The Networker - “what is your biggest networking...

The Networker #16: You Get What You Pay For With Networking

The Networker #16: You Get What You Pay For With NetworkingRead time: 4 minutes & 49 secondsWhy pay to go networking? Straight out the gate I’m going to address this. “But of course you’re going to say you should pay to go networking, you run a company that...

The Networker #14: Building Networking Habits

The Networker #14: Building Small (But Impactful) Networking HabitsRead time: 3 minutes & 22 secondsGoals give you direction and a destination. Habits help you get there. Last week I explored setting realistic networking goals. Today it’s connecting some healthy...

The Networker #12: 6 Networking Lessons [Visuals]

The Networker #12: 6 Networking Lessons [Visuals]Read time: 2 minutes & 55 secondsToday's edition is a more visual edition. As I share some of my most popular graphics from the #VisualiseNetworking content series on LinkedIn I've shared over the past 9-10 months. ...

The Networker #11: Why Going to The Gym is Like Networking

The Networker #11: Why Networking is Like Going to The GymRead time: 4 minutes & 39 seconds Summer is on its way. Maybe a New Year’s Resolution was to workout more - and you’re still going strong…right? (Virtual pat on back to you if so). I’ve just relocated to...

The Networker #9: 7 Books to Supercharge Your Networking

The Networker #9: 7 Books to Supercharge Your NetworkingRead time: 4 minutes & 48 secondsMany factors are at play when networking. First impressions.  How you listen.  What you say. How you say it. Your approach.  Networking is a skill. One you can continually be...

The Networker #8: 4 Habits For After a Networking Event

The Networker #8: 4 Simple Habits as You Leave a Networking EventRead time: 2 minutes & 55 secondsYou walk out of a networking event. Great. The real work starts now. Amateur networkers walk out of an event and move onto the next thing right away. They get their...

The Networker #6: The One Thing To Not Take Networking

The Networker #6: The One Thing To NOT Take NetworkingRead time: 4 minutesBusiness cards, check. A pen for notes, check. Positive attitude, check. There’s a lot of talk about what to take to a networking event. But rarely about what not to take. Today, I’m focusing on...

Join The Waitlist

The Networkers Playbook - a self-paced online course for networkers wanting to network smarter, more effectively, and drive better results (released Spring 2024).

Arming you with the mindset, tactics, frameworks, and more, to get more from your networking.

You're on the waitlist! Check your emails (including your junk/spam folder) to double check you're in.