A short advisory monologue (YouTube) by Mark Evans DM about how to approach networking and community relationships. The speaker urges conscious intent when connecting with people—distinguishing genuine relationship-building from transactional outreach—and recommends transparently monetizing referrals and affiliate opportunities when appropriate.
I'm not saying connect for free. I'm just saying be conscious of what your result, what your goals are, and more importantly, what your actions are. Talking to individuals, how many calls are you making a week to forge relationships? What are you doing when you forge relationships? Are you talking about what you do and trying to get them to pay you? Or are you forging real relationships, saying, man, that's awesome. Do you know this person? Do you know that person? Connecting them with your people, connecting with your audience? And it's okay if you make an affiliate commission, if that's what you're doing, just be transparent about it. If they ask or if it even matters. There's lots of people I generate revenue from that. I'm like, if I can't help you, I know this person that can. And they'll pay for that. They'll pay for that referral, right? So setting up those types of deals, and I see so many good people not monetizing or maximizing their opportunity inside of communities.
