Networking Strategy

---
name: networking-strategy
description: "Creates strategic networking plans with target contacts, outreach templates, relationship nurture sequences, and event calendar."
allowed-tools: Read Write Glob
metadata:
  author: matthewhitcham
  version: "1.0"
---

# Networking Strategy

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:
- Create a strategic networking plan with defined targets and outreach sequences
- Build a system for making and nurturing professional connections
- Design relationship-building workflows that generate business opportunities
- Plan networking event attendance with follow-up processes

**DO NOT** use this skill for sales outreach, cold email campaigns, or social media growth strategies. This is for building genuine professional relationships that create long-term business value.

---

## Core Principle

STRATEGIC NETWORKING IS NOT COLLECTING CONTACTS — IT IS BUILDING A SMALL NUMBER OF HIGH-VALUE RELATIONSHIPS WHERE YOU GIVE FIRST, STAY CONSISTENT, AND LET OPPORTUNITIES EMERGE FROM GENUINE TRUST.

---

## Phase 1: Brief

### Required Inputs

| Input | What to Ask | Default |
|-------|------------|---------|
| **Networking goal** | "What business outcome do you want from networking? (referrals, partnerships, clients, knowledge)" | Referral partnerships |
| **Industry** | "What industry or niche are you in?" | No default — must be provided |
| **Current network size** | "How many active professional contacts do you maintain now?" | Under 50 |
| **Time commitment** | "How many hours per week can you dedicate to networking?" | 3 hours/week |
| **Preferred channels** | "Do you prefer in-person events, online communities, DMs, or a mix?" | Mix of online and in-person |

**GATE: Confirm the brief before proceeding.**

---

## Phase 2: Plan

### Target Contact Map

```
## Tier 1: Inner Circle (5-10 people)
- Peers at your level who refer you regularly
- Criteria: Same audience, non-competing, active referral potential
- Nurture cadence: Weekly touchpoint

## Tier 2: Aspirational Connections (10-20 people)
- People one or two levels ahead of you
- Criteria: Where you want to be in 1-2 years, accessible, active online
- Nurture cadence: Bi-weekly touchpoint

## Tier 3: Community Presence (20-50 people)
- Broader network for visibility and serendipity
- Criteria: Same industry, active in shared communities
- Nurture cadence: Monthly touchpoint
```

### Outreach Templates

Provide templates for each scenario:
1. **Cold introduction** — mutual connection or shared context
2. **Event follow-up** — reference the conversation
3. **Value-first message** — share something useful with no ask
4. **Coffee chat request** — specific reason for connecting
5. **Referral thank-you** — acknowledge and reciprocate

### Networking Calendar

```
## Monthly Networking Rhythm
**Week 1:** Attend one event (virtual or in-person)
**Week 2:** Send 3 value-first messages to Tier 1 contacts
**Week 3:** Reach out to 2 new Tier 2 targets
**Week 4:** Follow up with all open conversations, update CRM
```

**GATE: Present the networking plan for approval.**

---

## Phase 3: Build

### Outreach Sequence for New Contacts

```
## New Contact Nurture Sequence

**Day 0:** Connect (event, introduction, or cold outreach)
**Day 1:** Send follow-up referencing the conversation
**Week 1:** Share a relevant resource (article, tool, intro)
**Week 3:** Engage with their content (comment, share, reply)
**Week 6:** Suggest a quick call or coffee chat
**Monthly:** Maintain with light touches (congratulate wins, share relevant content)
```

### Relationship Tracker

```
## Contact Tracking Fields
- Name and company
- How you met
- Tier (1, 2, or 3)
- Last touchpoint date
- Next action and date
- Potential value exchange
- Notes on interests and goals
```

### Event Strategy

```
## Event Selection Criteria
- [ ] Target contacts will be present
- [ ] Format allows real conversation (not just lecture)
- [ ] Audience is in your tier 1 or 2 target demographic
- [ ] You can contribute (speak, volunteer, host a table)
- [ ] ROI justifies the time and cost

## Pre-Event Prep
1. Research 3-5 specific people you want to meet
2. Prepare your 30-second introduction
3. Have a specific question to ask (not "what do you do?")
4. Bring something to offer (insight, introduction, resource)
```

---

## Phase 4: Polish

### 1. 90-Day Networking Sprint

```
## Month 1: Foundation
- Set up tracking system
- Identify and list 30 target contacts across all tiers
- Send 10 initial outreach messages
- Attend 2 events

## Month 2: Momentum
- Follow up on all Month 1 connections
- Schedule 4 coffee chats
- Make 2 introductions between contacts
- Attend 2 events

## Month 3: Deepening
- Propose collaboration with 2 Tier 1 contacts
- Ask for introductions to Tier 2 targets
- Host or co-host one small gathering
- Review and refine your target contact list
```

### 2. Conversation Starters

Provide 10 networking conversation starters that go beyond "what do you do":
- "What project are you most excited about right now?"
- "What is the biggest challenge in your business this quarter?"
- "Who is someone you have met recently that impressed you?"

### 3. Metrics

```
## Track Monthly
- New contacts added (target: 5-10)
- Follow-ups sent (target: 15-20)
- Coffee chats completed (target: 4)
- Referrals given (target: 2)
- Referrals received (track but do not force)
- Events attended (target: 2)
```

---

## Example 1: Freelance Designer Networking Plan

```
Goal: Build referral partnerships with 10 complementary service providers
Targets: Copywriters, web developers, brand strategists, marketing consultants
Channels: Local creative meetups, Slack communities, LinkedIn
90-day target: 5 active referral partnerships sending at least 1 referral each
```

## Example 2: SaaS Founder Networking Plan

```
Goal: Build relationships with 15 potential integration partners
Targets: Founders of complementary tools, tech community leaders, industry podcasters
Channels: Industry conferences, Twitter/X, founder communities
90-day target: 3 partnership conversations started, 1 integration pilot
```

---

## Anti-Patterns

- **Collecting contacts without following up** — a business card in a drawer is worthless. Follow up within 48 hours or do not bother attending.
- **Always asking, never giving** — lead with value. Make introductions, share resources, and promote others before you ask for anything.
- **Networking only when you need something** — relationships built under pressure feel transactional. Network consistently, not desperately.
- **Trying to network with everyone** — focus on 30-50 strategic contacts, not 500 shallow connections.
- **Generic outreach** — "Let's connect sometime" means nothing. Be specific about why and what you want to discuss.

---

## Recovery

- **User has no existing network:** Start with online communities where target contacts are active. Engage with content for 2 weeks before sending any direct messages.
- **User is introverted or dislikes networking:** Reframe as "building relationships one at a time." Focus on 1-on-1 conversations rather than large events.
- **User has been networking without results:** Audit their approach. Usually the problem is no follow-up system or no clear value exchange.
- **No relevant events in their area:** Focus on online communities, virtual events, and LinkedIn engagement. Geography is no longer a barrier.