TIP 1
Don't burn bridges.
The professional world is smaller than it looks. The person you dismiss today may be hiring tomorrow.
TIP 2
Start before you need to.
The best time to build your network is when you don't need anything. The second best time is now.
TIP 3
Give before you ask.
Share an article, make an introduction, offer a referral. Generosity opens more doors than any pitch.
TIP 4
Be specific in your ask.
"Can I pick your brain?" is not a request. "Can I ask you two questions about breaking into nonprofit communications?" is.
TIP 5
Follow up within 24 hours.
A quick note after a meeting cements the connection. Wait too long and the moment passes.
TIP 6
Keep it short.
People are busy. A three-sentence email gets more responses than a three-paragraph one.
TIP 7
Research before you reach out.
Know what they do, what they've worked on, and why you're reaching out to them specifically.
TIP 8
Connect on LinkedIn immediately.
Don't let a good conversation disappear into a business card pile. Connect while the interaction is fresh.
TIP 9
Have a clear one-liner.
Know how to describe what you do and what you're looking for in one confident sentence.
TIP 10
Ask for introductions, not jobs.
"Do you know anyone I should talk to?" is far easier to say yes to than "Do you know of any openings?"
TIP 11
Send value, not just updates.
When you check back in, bring something — a relevant article, a congrats on their news, a shared contact.
TIP 12
Warm up cold contacts.
Comment on their posts, share their content, or reference their work before you reach out directly.
TIP 13
Don't neglect weak ties.
Acquaintances — not close friends — are often where the best opportunities come from. Stay in touch with the periphery.
TIP 14
Personalize every message.
Never send the same message twice. Even one specific detail shows you paid attention.
TIP 15
Accept help gracefully.
When someone offers to help, say yes. Letting people contribute builds the relationship.
TIP 16
Be honest about where you are.
You don't have to have it all figured out. People respond to honesty and clarity about what you're working toward.
TIP 17
Follow through on what you say.
If you say you'll send something, send it. Reliability is memorable.
TIP 18
Stay in touch even when nothing's happening.
A quick "thinking of you" or "saw this and thought of you" keeps the relationship alive without an agenda.
TIP 19
Treat every conversation as practice.
Not every contact leads somewhere. That's fine. Each one makes the next one easier.
TIP 20
Say thank you. Always.
A genuine thank you — specific, timely, and brief — is one of the most underused tools in networking.