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.