Connecting with People
There is no doubt that taking one step towards connecting with more people will improve your influence, build your roster of friends, and make you relevant. This means more than having someone follow you on social media. It means going the extra mile and reaching out to people, sometimes helping them using any means possible, and other times just talking to them.
It is such a simple concept, yet one that eludes a lot of people. Too often, the focus of connection is to try and sell or get something in return. This should be the last possible motivation when making connections. There is nothing wrong with trying to make some money using your connections or to get something in return. Primarily, in return for your friend, you will get support, attention, and friendship in return.
Give More Than You Take
The operative word when connecting with others is give. Always be willing to give way more than you take. Become the person everyone wants to contact for answers to their questions. Learn what people are looking for and give it to them if you can. Send them a personal email stating that you found what they were looking for. Step out of yourself, your comfort zone, and be a courteous friend.
Reach Out
When you take the extra measure to reach out to people on a personal level, they take notice and let others know about it as well. The more this happens, the more you become the resource that people will rely on. Another unintended consequence (a good one) that will happen as you increase your influence, is that you can help others to do the same. When you find people who are trying to build their connections and they are doing so in the manners described here, you can help them along by sharing your connections. They will be grateful for your efforts in this regard. Connections. Contacts. Support. Don’t live in isolation. Be a friend. Get a friend.