The Networker #46: How To Maximise Your Network (Or Not Networking) In December
December is a funny month for networking.
Social events ramp up.
Traditional networking events slow down.
With many other occasions filling your diary (’silly season’ has become it’s name), you can still create opportunity from and utilise this shorter, more sociable month.
Whether that’s recognising the networking opportunity in these occasions.
Or taking advantage of a quieter period for you to get ahead for next year.
You can arrive into January full of opportunity, whatever your circumstances.
It could be by considering one or a number of these approaches:
- Seeing networking opportunities in the social occasions
- Finding inventive ways to engage your network
- Reviewing your networking
- Focusing on personal development
- Getting organised to hit the ground running in January
- Recharging your networking batteries
Let’s make December a productive month of networking and building.
Social Occasions Present Different Networking Opportunities
There will be chances to network.
Albeit with events taking on a more sociable and less formal format.
But sometimes, the best relationships are built in these kind of environments.
You can see others in a different light. On a more human level.
Use it as a chance to ask:
- What are their plans over Christmas and New Year?
- How will they be they spending their time?
- How would they assess their year overall?
- What ambitions and plans do they have for 2024?
It’s a great opportunity to learn something about them away from work. Or look at the bigger picture.
You could get to understand dynamics about their family, hobbies, interests, or professional plans.
Finding new ways to connect and relate.
Remember with networking, you’re building a human relationship first, business second.
Engage With Your Network In Inventive Ways
Use the time you would normally invest in attending events, to nurturing existing relationships.
Think creatively, or way to not be another message or email:
- Send a card – websites like Thortful make this easy (and have some very entertaining options)
- Send a gift – this could be something small, personalised based on their interests, or even a useful branded item
- Send a personalised video – using Loom or similar tool
Personally, I’m a fan of using Loom all year round.
You talk directly to the individual, it’s personalised, they can watch and respond in their own time.
Best of all, you stand out from the mass of emails and message they get.
I’ll be using it in the coming weeks to engage prospective partners and attempt to arrange a meeting in January.
The responses you get to these are great too.
Perform a Network Review
Take this networking downtime to review your activity from the past 11-12 months.
Similar to the weekly 12-4-1 networking system I’ve shared.
Ask yourself:
- What events are you going to that charge you up? Rather than drain you.
- Which events are you reluctantly going to?
- Who did you meet?
- Are you meeting the right people directly and indirectly?
- Where might new or other opportunity be to consider for next year?
These will start to unearth answers around where you can spend more of your time, and less of your time.
Because if you’re doing the same thing next year, you’ll likely get the same results.
Great, if your networking is working.
Not so much if it’s not.
Upskill To Enhance Your Networking
As a reader of The Networker, I know I’m talking to the right kind of person here.
Why not use December to dedicate to your own growth to aid your networking.
For example, you could:
- Take an online sales course
- Learn about LinkedIn content strategy
- Read a book on nurturing relationships – here’s my #1 recommendation
- Go back and read previous editions of The Networker
- Join the waiting list for The Networkers Playbook (I couldn’t resist)
Your future networking self will thank you.
Get Ahead For January
Yes, you’ve got targets to hit.
But don’t lose sight of January.
Don’t kill opportunity chasing a deal that will still be there in 3-4 weeks time.
Keep yourself remembered and in a positive light.
Yes, you’re likely to be on the receiving end of; “can we pick this up in the New Year?”
Yes, it’s frustrating.
By all means tackle the objection (I respect the hustle).
But rather than push hard and force it, empathise with them, with an aim to get a meeting in January or early 2024 locked in.
It will be here before you know it.
Recharge Your Networking Batteries
Don’t underestimate the psychological toll networking can take on you.
I don’t know about you, but can get home from events exhausted.
The mental load and energy networking requires adds up.
Networking burnout is a real thing.
Use December to recharge your batteries.
Ready to get back to it in January fresh.
The Wrap Up
Fast forward yourself to the start of next year.
You’re refreshed, new goals, ready to hit the ground running.
Whatever path you choose to take in December, the choices you make now can make a big impact.
Happy Networking.
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.
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