Building Yourself = Building Your Network

Useful people gravitate towards useful people

Your net worth is your network. Who you know is how you earn. Your life depends on it. Who you surround yourself with says a lot about who you are as an individual. It also does something else, it gives you access to places you normally wouldn’t step foot in on an average day.

Back in the day, our parents and grandparents had physical Rolodexes. Basically these were things that sat on their desks at home in and in the office and they could flip through a bunch of index like cards with names, numbers, and addresses on them. Personal phone books replaced these before cell phones became a thing but they had the same concept. People would keep them in their pockets and purses so they could have access to all of their contacts everywhere they went so they could use pay phones etc. In corporate America, these things were goldmines. People didn’t change their numbers much, cell phones weren’t really a thing for most people, and everyone had a landline. Your phone book or Rolodex was how you did business. It was how you survived. Probably where the phrase “I got a guy for that!” came from.

To be honest, we can’t be everywhere at once. We can only master so many things, know so many people, and have experienced so many different opportunities… The world is endless. That’s why it’s a bonus to have a friend that’s a pediatrician and another friend that served in the military, a friend that’s a beekeeper, a friend that’s an oral surgeon, another friend that’s a university professor, and maybe another friend that has experience working with special needs children. All of these people bring different backgrounds, experiences, and personalities to the table. It’s not all about money. It’s about being able to interact with people that have different perspectives and outlooks on life. Your friend that’s a special needs teacher has experience working with the system and probably has a lot of knowledge and experience of what ADA is and how to navigate the American healthcare system as it pertains to that. Your friend that went through 4 years of undergrad + 4 years of dental school and has been working in their own practice for a few years now can probably give you a good rundown on the costs of things like a simple cleaning, or what the best insurance to have is. Honey at the grocery store is expensive, your beekeeper friend has a better price and it’s fresher. Plus, they have a neighbor that sells eggs. Your friend that works that boring teaching job at the state university can help you and your kids navigate the college admissions process.

You get where I’m going with this? Life is about who you know and the connections you can make. Useful people like other useful people. The beekeeper is more likely to befriend the guy that has chickens and practices carpentry as his profession versus the guy that has nothing to offer but everything to gain from the friendship. This is not to say that all relationships are transactional. THEY ARE NOT.. BUT USEFUL PEOPLE GRAVITATE TOWARDS USEFUL PEOPLE. People with expansive rolodexes like to meet other people that are useful and can be added to it. A good plumber would love to take the number of a good carpenter or drywall specialist. A good used car salesman would love to know a few good mechanics and vice versa.

What A Good Network Can Do

Having a wide and diverse network in both business and personal relationships is crucial for several reasons. Here’s why it matters:

1. More Opportunities & Growth

• Career Advancement – Many jobs and business deals come through referrals rather than applications. It’s all about who you know and oftentimes this overshadows what you know.

• New Business Leads – A broad network increases chances of meeting potential clients, partners, or investors. A lot of successful people just happened to be in the right place at the right time. The right party, the right lunch, invited to the right sporting event and just so happened to be in the right suite with the right introduction. Your network sets up moments like this. The gym you go to. The places you frequent in general.

• Industry Insights – Staying connected to different industries helps you anticipate trends and pivot when needed. You want to invest in real estate but know nothing about real estate. That’s why it's a plus to have a real estate investor/agent/broker/appraiser friend.

2. Access to Different Perspectives & Knowledge

• Innovation & Creativity – Exposure to different viewpoints sparks new ideas and problem-solving strategies. New people bring new perspectives and ways of looking at things.

• Learning from Others’ Experiences – A diverse network gives you access to advice from people who’ve been where you want to go. They also made mistakes you don’t want to make that you can learn from.

• Avoiding Echo Chambers – Being surrounded by people with varied backgrounds challenges your thinking and helps you grow. People with only your background will think like you.

3. Increased Resilience & Support

• Help During Uncertain Times – Whether it’s job loss, business struggles, or personal issues, a strong network provides emotional and professional support.

• Diverse Problem-Solving Resources – Different people bring different skills and can help you tackle challenges in unique ways.

4. Better Personal & Professional Branding

• Stronger Reputation – A good network enhances your credibility and makes you the go-to person in your field.

• Word-of-Mouth Influence – People in your network can advocate for you, whether for business deals, promotions, or personal projects.

5. Staying Ahead in a Rapidly Changing World

• AI & Tech Disruption – As industries evolve, knowing people in various fields helps you adapt and transition smoothly.

• Cross-Industry Collaboration – Many breakthroughs happen when people from different fields work together (e.g., tech + healthcare, finance + AI).

How You Meet Useful People

The key to all of this is you don’t actively go and seek these people out, you stumble upon them while building yourself in your lane and naturally you all gravitate towards each other by default. If you’re a carpenter, you will naturally meet other people that participate in the full build of a building or house. Eventually you will know plenty of roofers, plumbers, painters, other carpenters, and the list goes on. You do this by building yourself up. Good lawyers want to work with other good lawyers. Defendants want to hire good defense attorneys. Bad attorneys don’t get constantly hired for lucrative cases. Good lawyers don’t want to work with bad lawyers. So how does a bad lawyer expand their business and be successful? They have to become a good lawyer, someone people want to work with.

You want a better rolodex? A more diverse network? Become someone you want to see in your rolodex.

1. Build Genuine Relationships (Not Just Contacts)

Networking is about building trust and mutual value rather than just collecting business cards or LinkedIn connections.

• Be Interested, Not Just Interesting – Ask thoughtful questions and listen actively.

• Offer Value First – Share useful insights, introduce people, or help without expecting immediate returns.

• Stay in Touch – Follow up periodically with a simple check-in or by sharing relevant content.

2. Diversify Your Network

A strong network includes people from different industries, backgrounds, and experience levels.

• Expand Beyond Your Industry – Connect with professionals from tech, finance, healthcare, creative industries, and beyond.

• Cross-Level Networking – Build relationships with both senior executives and rising talents.

• International Connections – A global network offers unique business opportunities and perspectives.

3. Leverage Social Media & Online Platforms

• LinkedIn: Engage with content, comment on industry discussions, and connect with professionals in your field.

• Twitter & Reddit: Follow industry leaders and participate in discussions to increase visibility. Twitter + Reddit is where I bump into a diverse field of experts across many industries.

• Meetup & Eventbrite: Find local networking events, webinars, and workshops. If you’re into a certain hobby or subject, this is where you can and will find your tribe. EVENTS.

• Slack & Discord Communities: Join groups related to your industry to exchange knowledge and opportunities. Personally, I use discord. This allows me to connect with people all over the world 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. It’s well segmented too. They have servers for gamers, people on the job hunt, and 90 million other niche communities.

Pro Tip: When connecting with new people online, personalize your message instead of sending a generic invite. People like real stories from real people, not something that looks like it came from a robot.

4. Attend & Participate in Networking Events

In-Person Networking:

• Conferences & trade shows

• Industry meetups & business mixers

• Join clubs and other groups, example: don’t know any other carpenters, join Home Depot rewards program and hang around lumber yards until you find your tribe.

Online Networking:

• Webinars & virtual summits

• Twitter Spaces, LinkedIn Live events

• Clubhouse or similar audio networking platforms

Pro Tip: Don’t just attend—engage. Ask questions, introduce yourself, and follow up after the event. Even if the meetups after the event don’t have anything to do with what you want initially, this is how you build those relationships long term.

5. Master the Art of Follow-Ups

After meeting someone new:

• Send a quick thank-you message within 24–48 hours. “It was nice to meet you.. look forward to talking again!”

• Reference your conversation to keep the connection meaningful. Build on that first conversation you had. Mention/ask about things they initially told you about themselves.

• Find ways to stay in touch, like sharing an article or inviting them to another event.

Example Follow-Up Message:
"Hey [Name], it was great connecting at [event]! I really enjoyed our chat about [topic]. Here’s an article I thought you might find interesting. Looking forward to staying in touch!"

6. Give More Than You Take

A strong network is built on reciprocity and goodwill. Instead of always asking for help, be the one who:

• Introduces people in your network to each other

• Shares job opportunities or business referrals

• Supports others’ projects or content on social media… showing up to events you’re invited to does wonders

Pro Tip: When networking, think long-term. The more you help others, the more valuable your network becomes.

7. Stay Consistent & Authentic

• Schedule regular networking time (e.g., making yourself available for meetups and things like job fairs in your industry a few times a month.

• Be yourself—authenticity attracts meaningful connections. Don’t try and posture and be something you’re not. People can smell fake a mile away.

• Stay open to unexpected opportunities—sometimes, the best connections come from unlikely places. Have an open mind. Anyone you meet can be the key to unlocking doors to wild adventures. Stay positive!