Networking can be a super intimidating term for many people. It involves putting yourself out there and connecting with all sorts of individuals, whether they’re familiar faces or complete strangers, through various events or countless other means.
But here’s the thing: is it really that difficult?
Sure, we often hear about the importance of knowing the right people to some extent, but the true value of networking lies in who YOU are as a person.
Yes, you heard that right! It doesn’t matter how much effort you put into impressing a potential employer if you haven’t built your own personal brand first.
This idea is inspired by Austin Kleon’s book “Show Your Work!”, which explores strategies for embracing and sharing your creative journey.
In “Show Your Work!” Kleon emphasizes that networking becomes more manageable if you know how to nurture your talents, fuel your passions, and let your unique creativity shine, all while building a name for yourself.
My post on how to actually build a brand for yourself will soon be up.
So what is the requirement?? Know how to build a BRAND for yourself
So, let’s dive into why this is so incredibly important!
1. Quality work= Networks can’t help but notice YOU
Whether you’re an artist or a premed student, chances are you’re engaging in activities that are pushing you closer to your goals. (I assume this because you’re literally reading a blog post on networking).
To effectively network, it’s crucial to focus on honing your craft in a way that naturally garners attention.
Let’s say you’re a premed student, just like me! You should invest time in developing your work by pursuing a passion project or creating something unique within an extracurricular activity.
For instance, if you aspire to launch a nonprofit organization centered around a cause you deeply care about, dedicate yourself to its growth and ensure it has a significant impact.
By undertaking such developmental efforts, networking will become effortless because you’ll have established a distinctive personal brand bound to open doors for you.
2. Everyone has an audience!!
Here’s an important reminder: each and every one of you has an audience!!
Sometimes, it may seem like people won’t understand or appreciate your work. But guess what? That’s okay! Not everyone will resonate with what you do, and there will be networks you reach out to who may not be particularly interested.
And you know what?
That’s actually a good thing. It means you’re doing something right!
As long as you have a clear vision for what you want to achieve, you’ll naturally filter out those who don’t recognize your potential and instead attract those who see your brilliance and share your vision.
It’s not about knowing a large number of people; it’s about knowing the right people who can truly support you and bring you what you’re seeking.
When you consistently produce unique and high-quality work, you’ll draw the most amazing individuals to your side when you do decide to network. :))
3. Failure=success (cliche for a reason!!)
DO NOT BE AFRAID OF FAILURE!
SERIOUSLY!
Failure is significant and a part of growth so don’t be afraid to step out of your shell and try new projects
If you want to accomplish amazing things in your life and reach a stage where you can network with the powerful brand you’ve built, it’s important to recognize that failure is a common experience for anyone who has achieved success.
Think about it, can you name a single person who has had a flawless journey and effortlessly made it to the top?
If you can… they lying for real…
The truth is, to grow and truly distinguish your project, you must be able to quickly recover from setbacks or situations where your enthusiasm wanes.
If you’re a college student, remember that you’re still so young!
You have plenty of time to continue working, pushing forward, and eventually achieving desired results. Persistence and hard work are the real winners when talent isn’t making a move.
You have the potential to achieve great things! As long as you identify and stay persistent in pursuing your goals, I promise you will see results.
Those results will be lasting and leave a beautiful impression on your future employees and the vast networks you will soon acquire!! Wishing you the best of luck on your journey!
