The real way to build a social network: Reids Rules

Reid’s rules

In the next day: Look at your calendar for the past six months and identify the five people you spend the most time with — are you happy with their influence on you?

In the next week: Introduce two people who do not know each other but ought to. Then think about a challenge you face and ask for an introduction to a connection in your network who could help.

Imagine you got laid off from your job today. Who are the 10 people you’d e-mail for advice? Don’t wait — invest in those relationships now.

In the next month: Identify a weaker tie with whom you’d like to build an alliance. Help him by giving him a small gift — forward an article or job posting.

Create an “interesting people fund” to which you automatically funnel a certain percentage of your paycheck. Use it to pay for coffees and the occasional plane ticket to meet new people and shore up existing relationships.

Here is a set of rules to live by if you want to seriously network. These rules will help you to have the right group of friends, and how to open yourself up to new opportunities. It is very important to get out and network and meet new people and here is how to build relationships that will last through jobs, moves, career moves, whatever may come your way.