Example of Networking in the Real World

In case you didn’t know what I did for a living, I’m a writer. I’ve written a book, articles, press releases, web copy, print copy, and other stuff. Words are my bag, and they’re the best bag I’ve ever had. Love it.

There’s this site I’m part of where I write things for money. It’s not anything cool like a national magazine, but it’s fast money and I’m a bit of a hooker cheerleader for things like fast easy money. But everything I knew about the company I knew from vague reports on writing forums. What to do?

I perused the company blog and found a conference call that was recorded and on the blog. I listened and found out the name of the person that was in charge of new people at the company. This person said, “call me” about four times in a row toward the end of the interview.

This is the part where you remember I said networking is about reaching out and making a stranger your friend. I’m just refreshing your memory…

I left a friendly message stating I was new, I was excited, and asking what I need to do to make her love me.

Yes I did say it just like that. That’s how I am. Use the example and make it your own. *grin*

She called back and I was assigned two lucrative assignments through the company within a week. All because I sucked it up and picked up the phone. Don’t think I’m a genius at leaving messages either. I leave the worst voicemail messages in the universe. They’re choppy, they sound like I’ve been drinking most of the time, and I get cut off a lot. People laugh and have coworkers listen to them, they’re that bad.

After I submitted one of the huge assignments wicked-early on Tuesday morning, and with the other huge project on hold because the client is reviewing and determining if they want us to go forward, I get a phone call. Someone has bailed on a project and they need my help. Can I do a really huge project by Monday?

I’d be happy to, of course. (Did I mention the easy, fast money aspect? I thought so.)

So now I’m going to write frantically from now until Monday and have oodles of money sent to me – even better – now I’m on the radar as being the go-to person for projects before they’re displayed on the company job board.

I’ve gone from nobody to the go-to girl in two and a half weeks.

Because networking is that powerful.