« Facebook and the luck of the valley | Home | The Venture Process When You’re Outside the Valley (Part II) »
How To Network Outside the Valley
By Rob | April 12, 2007
Join the Outside the Valley Network! Send your email address to linkedin-at - outsidethevalley.com and we will send you an invitation to our LinkedIn group.
The best way to get things done is to know the right people. That sounds easy, but it’s not. When you live in the Valley and you need a Java programmer willing to work for equity to help build your startup, you can probably find one. If you live in Nashville, TN, you probably know more amateur musicians than programmers.
Work is just one part of your life, but to you, the entrepreneur, it’s a very important part. You want to be successful, but the California housing prices and hyper-ADD Valley lifestyle aren’t worth the move. So how do you network without moving to the Valley?
To understand how to network, you have to consider why you are doing it. As an entrepreneur, you are extremely busy and networking probably seems like a waste of time. But you have to remember one important thing - you can’t build your business alone.* You need employees. You need strategic partners. Most importantly, you need customers. Your network is a resource to help you get things done, just like your knowledge, your experience, your skills, and your capital. You should build your network for the same reason you build these other things - to improve your performance and increase your opportunities. Are you on board? Then follow these points to help make it happen.
1. Look at it as an investment. - Don’t go to random events. Don’t talk to random people. Do some research. Set goals. Measure your progress and performance. Keep a log of events you attend, the people you met there, and your overall rating of the event.
2. Become a local gatekeeper. - People in North Carolina, Kansas, and Michigan seek out expertise just like people everywhere else. The Valley is full of expertise. Many other places aren’t. If you set yourself up as the local expert on something (particularly something tech), people will find you. The community will send people your way, and you will have to do less work to meet the interesting movers and shakers in your city. Some great ways to do this are to start a local niche blog, give a presentation at an event, or do some free work for a major local company that can recommend you to others.
3. Take advantage of the local culture. - In smaller cities, the entrepreneurial community is often close knit and open to new people. When you live in a startup hub, everybody has an idea. When you live somewhere else, people will find your idea exciting. Get out and talk about it.
4. Go virtual - You may not find everything you need locally, but with the world becoming ever “flatter,” you should be able to meet plenty of valuable contacts online. Participate in a few key blog communities by leaving insightful comments or asking good questions. Hang out in some tech forums and loan your expertise to others. But keep rule #1 in mind. You want the most bang for your buck, so don’t keep patronizing communities with no return.
5. Find the key nodes - It’s always good to know the local consultants and recruiters. They know everybody, because knowing everybody is how they get business. Connect to these well connected people and you expand your network much faster than if you network with a few isolated techies.
6. Make your goals clear - Do you want to make contact with a certain investor or venture capital firm? Do you need to know someone at a large local company that may want to buy your product some day? Your goal shouldn’t be generic. Don’t try to “meet more people,” try to meet the right people.
7. Strategically attend events- Events can quickly steal away your time, so attend them strategically. If something isn’t a fit, don’t go back. If the crowd isn’t one that is beneficial to you, don’t go back. Find the events that maximize your exposure while minimizing your time.
8. Give your time - If all you do is suck information from your network, you’re and asshole and everyone will see that. Give back to your network. Make important connections. Don’t fall become complacent about it. Actively ask people if there is anyone they would like to meet, or anyone you can introduce them too. Everybody has problems at their business. Help put them in touch with the right people.
9. Take advantage of the region - Louisville, KY is within a one day drive of 60% of the U.S. population. I keep track of events in places like Indianapolis, Nashville, Chicago, and Atlanta. Occasional weekend trips can provide a nice break, and can lead to a significant expansion of your network.
10. Do cool stuff - When you do interesting things, other people who are interested in those things tend to find you. That lets you expand your network without really networking.
A strong social network will give you the resources you need to find talent, expertise, and customers faster and with fewer false starts. Warm leads are always easier to deal with, and most people will be glad to help you out. The bottom line - effective networking will make you a better entrepreneur.
Resources
How to Network Effectively
How to Network - For Introverts
Networking for People who Hate Networking
How to Network
The Ripple Effect
*Gabe Riviera may be the exception to this rule
Topics: Ideas |
April 13th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Thanks–I think I’ll do just that! Starting tonight
April 14th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Great article Rob! You offer some key points that anyone can adopt.
I have said many times in the past: Know your strengths so that you can find other people who are good your weaknesses.
For instance, I am great at understanding the big picture, but I suck at details. So I found a business partner who excels at focusing on details..