Becoming a successful serial entrepreneur takes more than just good business ideas and the willingness to take risks. It requires building a strong network of people who support and advise you on your entrepreneurial journey. As someone who constantly starts new ventures, having contacts you rely on for strategic guidance, referrals, industry insights, and even funding opportunities is invaluable.
Identify your needs
First, analyze where you currently stand in your entrepreneurial path and determine what kind of network would be most beneficial. Are you looking to brainstorm fresh concepts, validate and improve current business models, receive introductions to influential people in an industry, get insight into raising capital, or something else? Outline your goals and the types of individuals who could help you get there. Your needs will likely evolve as you progress from one venture to the next, so regularly re-evaluate.
Build genuine relationships
Resist the urge to grow your network solely for selfish gain. Nurture real connections with people you like and respect, not just those who immediately do something for you. When people sense your authenticity and willingness to contribute value without an agenda, they’ll be more inclined to voluntarily share their knowledge and connections. Mutually beneficial relationships develop organically over time.
Expand your circles
David Lolis Poker often limits networking to events like association meetings and conferences. While these have value, also look to less obvious avenues that tap into different networks. Engage intelligently on social media channels popular among the types of people you’re looking to connect with, paying attention to influencers in your niche. Attend industry trade shows and chat people up. Reach out for informational interviews to pick the brains of experts and get referrals to others. Brainstorm creative ways to expand your circles and meet new contacts.
Add value
Figure out what skills, knowledge, or resources you have to offer, and actively look for opportunities to provide value to others in your network. Can you make useful introductions between people with complementary interests? Share an insightful article or piece of news relevant to someone’s work. Offer advice to aspiring entrepreneurs just starting? Look for gaps you fill instead of always trying to get something. Adding value builds meaningful relationships.
Make an effort to regularly communicate with your most important contacts, not just when you need something. Share interesting updates you think they’d appreciate. Congratulate them on their achievements. Follow up if you haven’t connected in a while. Staying top of mind while also showing you care about more than just advancing your own goals strengthens bonds in your network over time.
Listen and learn
When interacting with experienced entrepreneurs and industry veterans you admire, ask lots of questions about their career journeys and lessons learned. Listen intently to understand their perspectives before pushing your agenda. Successful people usually enjoy sharing hard-won knowledge, as long as they feel you’re genuinely interested in learning from their wisdom, not just trying to buddy up to get ahead. Once you’ve attained a level of success yourself, make it a priority to pay it forward by mentoring up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Offer them advice, give feedback on business ideas, and introduce them to influential contacts who could help them. Not only is supporting others the right thing to do, but mentees may eventually become valuable members of your network.
