The Networker #42: Tracking Your Networking (and how to get started)
How do you know if your networking is working?
Like any marketing and sales activity, it needs tracking.
In this edition, we explore why that’s important, and how to get started.
Tracking your networking can take you from drifting from event to event seeing what sticks.
To knowing where to spend more of your time, who you spend it with, and what networking activity to dial up and down.
As well as less connections going cold.
Ever had that moment where you remember someone you met 6 months ago, had a great conversation, but you’ve not stayed in touch?
Or struggled to remember a person you had a conversation because you didn’t keep their details?
Tracking can help avoid that.
Meaning you network smarter, not harder
With a tool keeping you accountable and on track.
Unfortunately, many drift through their networking, latching onto any opportunity they can.
Not nurturing relationships properly. Lacking any kind of system.
And missing out on opportunity that could be staring you in the face.
Today, my aim is to help you get started with tracking to avoid that being you.
Why Is Tracking Your Networking Important?
This could be the biggest unlock to your networking.
But is the hardest for any networker to navigate.
As a networker, the challenge is that it’s your responsibility to track and assess your networking.
With other forms of marketing, you can outsource to an agency, use freelancers, or employ someone in-house.
They will set objectives, track your activity, report what is and isn’t working, and take action accordingly.
You cannot outsource your relationship building.
Tracking your networking can be done in this way too.
But many don’t know where to start.
Not your fault.
You’re not taught this when you’re advised to go out and network.
(Another reason why The Networkers Playbook is coming soon.)
Tracking your networking means:
- You’ll learn the impact of your current habits – what is and isn’t working
- You’ll soon start being able to set some networking goals and objectives
- Your network will be more engaged and connections won’t go cold
- It makes your life remembering who you meet along your networking journey much easier!
And after only a short period of tracking, you’ll be able to:
- Refine your goals
- Adjust your habits
- Learn what’s been working – so you can do more of it
- Learn what’s not been working – so you can do less of it!
How to Track Your Networking
I suggest breaking it down into two categories:
1 – Events you’ve attended
Tracking events allows you to spot trends and see if there’s a particular event or group that is fulfilling your networking needs more than others.
Be it meeting the right people, creating learning opportunities, driving referrals etc.
2 – People you’ve met
Tracking who you meet should be obvious. Here you can store information about those individuals.
It’s not just a name, it’s information about that individual you gather over time to help you nurture a relationship with them.
With information like:
- Insights into their business – who they work with, any potential synergy etc
- Personal interests outside of work – hobbies, family etc
- Key contact details and preferred method (email, phone, LinkedIn profile etc)
- Latest news or updates in their business
This information will form your personalised follow up, or be a reference as you keep that connection engaged in your network.
But how do you get started?
Where you store this information should be a dynamic document and tool you keep updated.
You can do this on an Excel or Google doc, on your CRM if it has the capabilities, or another programme that works for you.
My suggestion is ensuring this document or tool is available remotely, so you can update this as soon after an event as possible on the move.
Perhaps on your walk back to your car or the station. Or when you first get into the car before setting off.
To do this only requires 5-10 minutes.
Soon the conversations and finer details will be a fading memory.
The Wrap Up
It’s all well and good tracking your networking.
But you’ve got to put it to work.
Couple this new habit with the 12-4-1 System, and you’ll never let a connection go cold again.
I challenge you to do this for a 30 or 60 day period.
By month after next, you’ll have created a new networking habit.
Your future self and network will thank you.
What Is The Networker?
The weekly newsletter to help business owners and sales leaders network smarter.
1 networking tip, trend or tidbit – every Wednesday morning.
Connect With Me
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