How to Build a Profesional Network From Scratch - The Muse
1. Join (or Start) Your Local College Alumni Club ... College alumni clubs are a great way to start building a network in your city. Most put on a combination of ...
build a network
Most people put forth their best effort to <anchor>build a network</anchor> when they’re actively looking for a new job. But even if you’re not currently lining up interviews, adopting the job-searching mindset can help you boost your networking game.
How to Grow Your Network Fast | The Muse
How to Grow Your Network Fast \| The Muse

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# 9 Easy Ways to Grow Your Network Right This Second

by

[Lily Herman](/author/lily-herman)

Updated

6/19/2020

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The idea of building a network seems long, time-consuming, and incredibly draining. After all, not many people have the time to go to coffee meeting after coffee meeting or attend industry conferences on top of a full workload.

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The good news, though, is that networking can be quicker and easier than you’re making it out to be. Growing your network only takes a little bit of extra effort during the week. If you need some help getting started, check out these suggestions.

1. Do an introduction swap: In exchange for [connecting a friend](http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelsimmons/2013/08/22/how-the-worlds-top-relationship-builder-makes-introductions/) to one of your contacts, your friend will do the same with one of his or hers. _(Forbes)_
2. Building on the idea of the introduction swap, never underestimate the power of [doing smaller favors for other people](http://lifehacker.com/how-to-skip-the-sleaze-and-build-a-real-professional-ne-510256651). It’s a quick way to build a reputation and (ultimately) a network. _(Lifehacker)_
3. Finding common ground with new connections can be daunting. One group that [might be easier (and faster) to approach](http://blog.linkedin.com/2012/09/20/the-best-way-to-network-with-alumni-on-linkedin/)? Alumni. _(LinkedIn)_
4. You might feel like you know everyone on LinkedIn, but with just a few short messages and a couple of clicks, you can start working on [those valuable second degree connections](http://www.jobjenny.com/the-blog/2014/1/12/how-to-strike-gold-with-2nd-degree-linkedin-connections.html). _(Job Jenny)_
5. If you prefer to meet people virtually (or just feel way too drained to go to an in-person networking event), [hit up a Twitter chat](https://blog.bufferapp.com/twitter-chat-101) and start connecting with like-minded people. _(Buffer)_
6. Social media is a great way to connect with people, and [even Instagram](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kim-garst/business-networking-with-_b_3150717.html) can make for an awesome networking tool. _(The Huffington Post)_
7. Nourishing and growing your network starts in your own office. [Go to lunch with co-workers](http://www.examiner.com/article/10-unwritten-rules-of-eating-lunch-with-coworkers) and make sure you get to know them well, too. _(Examiner)_
8. This tip takes a little bit more planning, but it’s definitely worth it: Attend [a speed networking event](http://www.fastcompany.com/3015824/dialed/confessions-of-a-speed-networking-virgin)! _(Fast Company)_
9. One of our writers increased her LinkedIn profile views by 425% just [by writing a couple of insightful comments on groups](https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-i-got-425-more-page-views-on-linkedinand-you-can-too). How’s that for simple? _(The Daily Muse)_

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