There are many successful ways to network. But most successful systems usually consist of 1) building off your existing network and 2) exposure to high degrees of randomness to add new people to your network.

The end goal of networking is strong two way relationships that are mutually beneficial for both people. Ideally traversing both personal and work topics.

There are number of ways to increase your exposure to randomness. In this post I’ll look at the topic of effectively networking at events.

Plant The Seeds

When I go out to an event the main goal is to plant as many seeds as possible. Think of it like speed dating, you’re trying to meet people you like and set up as many dates as possible. Get to the point where you both agree you’d like to stay in touch and exchange business cards. Connection happens at a different venue.  But before moving on  if you have rapport with the person, it is a good idea to ask them if there’s anyone there who they think would be good for you to meet. Take advantage of the high concentration of people all in the same room at the same time. Try to introduce to them to someone as well. The more you give the more you receive. Great, you’ve got a large stack of business cards, but don’t celebrate yet, that was the easy part. Remember, the end goal is strong connections. Don’t be the guy who just knows a lot of people and doesn’t actually do anything. This strategy will be most effective for good people, doing good work and could benefit from a stronger network.

Water The Saplings

When you get home if you’re not too exhausted shoot off quick e-mails to the top three people. The speed of your follow through will separate you from the all the other people they gave their business cards to. Develop a boilerplate email to speed up the process but also make sure to personalize all your emails. You’ll get a much a higher response rate. If you can come up a with small request to ask of someone that can increase response rate as well. The psychology behind the ‘small ask’ is very solid. If someone goes out of their way to help you often they will unconsciously rationalize that they must like you.

Bask In Sunlight

In the ensuing 24 hours send an email to everyone you’d like to stay in touch with and add them on facebook and twitter. Pull them into your sphere of ambient awareness and show over time that your someone worth knowing. (This tip is worthless if you don’t use twitter and facebook effectively). Be persistent with people you’d really like to continue a connection with. Acknowledge that they’re busy but be adamant about keeping in touch.

After an exchange or two attempt to set up a time to meetup face to face for a more involved extended discussion. This is where the real game begins.

Cut The Weeds -> Make Room For Roses

Eventually you’ll need to start being selective about who you meet face to face with. If you’ve done a good job planting seeds there will be more people worth meeting face to face than you have time for. Take care to select the people you’d like to get to know the best. The reason you can’t meet face to face with everybody who is interesting, is because in the larger scheme of things the end goal is creative contribution, and networking is just one tool to be optimized to that end.

Grow A Garden

Always keep your eye on the big picture. This post is about optimizing networking. But the overall goal is to optimize life.

A lot of people get to the point where they don’t even need to go to events to network anymore. After cultivating enough deep connections a self sustaining flourishing garden will develop. I’d like to get to that point someday but for now consistently meeting new people at events is essential for getting where I want to be.