Speaker argues that social networks are the primary source of opportunities (jobs, contracts, interviews) because institutions are made of people. Key practical advice: actively use LinkedIn (build profile, follow, post, engage); prefer making a few authentic, memorable connections at events rather than collecting many business cards; be specific and add value to others (share scholarships, jobs, articles) so you stay top-of-mind and generate reciprocal opportunities.
Chapters
The power of social networks. Your social network is super important because that's where opportunities come from. Institutions, organizations, they are not things. They are many, many people inside that thing. And that's what gives you the opportunity. Whether it's a job or a contract or an interview or an opportunity, it is a person that you're trying to connect with. So you know how they say your network is your net worth. That's because opportunities and resources come to you through other people. So it's about effectively networking. The first thing I would say is learn to use link. If you know how to use social media of any kind, it means you can learn how to use LinkedIn. So for your professional career to grow, whether it's a career or it's your business, make sure you're actively using LinkedIn. Learn how to make a profile properly, learn how to scroll efficiently, follow the right people and learn how to post and share and comment and engage. It's a really useful platform. I would also say when networking, it's about being intentional and authentic. Rather than going to a conference and you leave with 30 business cards and you're like, yes, that was effective. Are you really going to email all those people? Are those business card is going to stay in your pocket, on your handbag for the next six months. It's about making three good connections. Sit with them, talk with them, ask questions. Make sure that when they leave the conference, they will remember you. They will think of you. When they get your LinkedIn invitation, they'll be like, yes, I loved meeting that person. They asked me questions. I understood about their life. We had this in common. We both wanted to come to this conference for the same reason. So it's about making those authentic, genuine connections. Because then you are in someone's mind, you're in someone's life. And when the relevant opportunity comes, they might think of you. When you see something that would be useful to them, think of them. Like how we forward all this spam on WhatsApp. Imagine being intentional and sending useful things. Like, I love sending opportunities to the people in my life, whether it's a scholarship or a job or a webinar or a book or an article. I'm constantly spamming my loved ones with. I thought you might find this useful, but I'm quite sure it keeps me in their mind and they know that I like to be useful. So add value to people's lives. That's how you connect in an authentic way. It's not just about going up to someone who you admire and saying, can you mentor me? Can you give me advice? Job? Can we be friends? That's not really useful. You want to be specific and authentic and make sure that you're adding someone to your network and they're adding you to their network. Not just that you are a liability or you're someone who's asking for things. You're adding value. You're making an authentic connection, and that's where you build a genuine rapport. And they'll think of you and they will want to hear from you and catch up with you or go for coffee or make recommendations. That's how you build your network and make sure you're using it effectively.
