The Networker #51: Build 1000 Relationships A Year, In 3 Minutes Per Day
How could you nurture 1000 relationships this year?
Jesse Itzler will.
In under 3 minutes a day.
How?!
Itzler shared his approach on a podcast that he uses to build relationships (watch the clip here).
It proves how simple it can be to build your existing connections.
With real practical application.
Unfortunately, many networkers build or nurture their network only when they need something.
That’s the worst time to do so.
Or they are unsure when or how to reach out.
Below, I dive into his method where you can essentially give out 1000 ‘permission slips’ a year.
And build relationships authentically – in 3 minutes a day.
Firstly, who is Jesse Itzler?
A fascinating individual and serial entrepreneur.
I dived into a rabbit hole after watching the video and listening to the podcast.
He’s an entrepreneur, author, and rapper. Co-founder of one of the largest private jet companies in the world, a partner in Zico Coconut Water, and one of the owners of the Atlanta Hawks NBA team.
So you could say he’s done ok for himself.
Oh, he’s also married to Sara Blakely, the Founder of Spanx.
Power couple alert.
What’s his method?
Itzler realised he could send a thoughtful message to someone in his life in less than 1 minute.
So if he did that three times, he could send 1000 messages per year (in just three minutes per day).
This could be anyone, for example:
- Clients
- Referrers
- Connections
- Suppliers
- Friends
- Leads
But what do you say?!
Itzler explains just how easy this can be.
What does he send to them?
Itzler recommends the 3 C’s.
You choose from three types of messages, where you either:
- Compliment
- Congratulate
- Console
If your message hits one of those three Cs, you authentically connect with that person and build on the relationship.
I love this – as here’s where most get stuck, myself included.
I’m so often thinking what I can say in a message other than “hey just checking in”.
Or ‘what are you currently working on?’
This framework removes the feeling like you’re just ‘checking in’.
Doing so in an authentic way, without a hidden agenda.
When does he do this?
I like the way he says he does it as he’s waiting to pick up his kids from school.
An excellent example of habit stacking.
I’m sure you can find a point in your day to do this?
- Picking the kids up from school
- On the train during your commute
- Waiting for your morning coffee
3-5 minutes a day needed.
Compounded over weeks, months, years – the impact would be immense.
Compared to that 3-5 minutes you’re likely doom scrolling Facebook or Instagram…
The Wrap Up
I tried this a couple of days last week.
And it’s addictive.
Warning: the addictiveness gets worse when you get a response.
Three messages can easily become four or five.
But maybe you don’t want to build 1000 relationships. To focus on quality rather than quantity.
That’s fine.
Look at it this way instead.
1000 opportunities to build 500 relationships twice.
1000 opportunities to build 250 relationships four times.
1000 opportunities to build 100 relationships ten times!
You catch my drift.
Whilst you might not reach 1000 (you might exceed it), I strongly believe we all have 3 minutes a day to reach out to someone with one of the three C’s.
Or don’t have capacity to do this daily? Start weekly.
Consider it a condensed version of the 12-4-1 Framework.
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1 networking tip, trend or tidbit – every Wednesday morning.
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