Networking Pro-Tip: What You Do Daily Matters Most

“What we do everyday matters more than what we do once in a while” – Gretchen Rubin

Small acts. Done often. That’s the real pro-tip power networking move and life hack – as sensible and lacking in spark as being told to sit up straight.

With all the current buzz around networking (ok, ok, some are not calling this most essential of human activities that, instead preferring to refer to as engaging or connecting or cultivating or relationship building or or or, but facts are facts, it’s networking - as much as that term may be reviled), I thought I’d dish out some timely – and rather timeless – networking truths, lifted from the pages of Build Your Dream Network.

You don’t build a strong network by showing up once with fanfare. You build it by showing up consistently — often quietly, in unobtrusive ways.

An email signature that helps someone remember who you are. A follow-up question sent after a panel is the bridge to deeper conversation based on mutual, genuine interest. A check-in, with nothing more, maintains connection. These are the relationship bond building reps that really count.

📌 Your next networking move:

Networking is every single human interaction – which means, there is a whole lot of relationship building already going on in your day, and if you added just a smidge more care and attention to each encounter, imagine what could happen!

Hey, I acknowledge that "routine interactions = networking" may not be headline-grabbing advice, but guess what? I don’t care! What I know is showing up daily is effective. Highly f’g effective. Your one big needy networking ask won’t matter a damn to your network if you’ve ghosted every small chance to connect.

“Whether it is funding a start-up, finding a job, landing a board seat, learning more about your child’s school, getting the name of good trainer, launching your business, or asking for restaurant recommendations— all of these activities depend on networks.”

✅ What daily networking looks like in the Build Your Dream Network universe:

Consistency wins the race.
Networking is like sit-ups — boring, unsexy, and only effective when done regularly. Sorry, if there was better way to build a network (or a six-pack) I’d be share to tell you.

“Consistent actions produce results more often than serendipitous encounters.”
📖 BYDN @ page 15

Be a master of micro-networking.
You don’t need to allocate more time to networking — instead, see and use the time you already have, well.

“Networking is part of your daily routine... school pickup, soccer sidelines, lunch dates.”
📖 BYDN @ page 43

Small, steady touch-points beat big moves.
If you’re networking for buy-in (or downloads), go for a regular nudge, not a one-time knockout.

“Startups with consistent updates get more investor engagement than those who stay silent.”
📖 BYDN @ page 183

Build your network before you need it.
Waiting until “you need to” network (say, a layoff or sales target or other professional crisis) is a particularly lousy social capital strategy. If you’ve not been there for your network, why do you imagine they will suddenly be there for you???

“Never hit pause on the relationship-building machine.”
📖 BYDN @ page 214

All you can control are your actions.
How you participate matters. People notice who’s fully present (and who’s just going through the motions) – so set yourself apart by being intentional as to where you spend your IRL networking time.

“Don’t show up half-heartedly — choose to put in the effort instead.”
📖 BYDN @ page 24