Personal connections are a key component in making the right type of business contacts. If you want to connect with someone in another city or state, you simply call them up or send them an email. However, what happens if you have all the skills and values but don’t know who to pitch to or where to start from to get seen by the world? The best way to get started when you have no connection is to contact people who have something in common, nailing your story and expanding your energy in the right direction.
Important Takeaways
- The best way to get started when you have no connection is by striving to be so compelling with your story and values that anyone with a conscience is going to want to support you however they can.
- Strive also to tell them ‘How’, because this is the best way to get that connection you need.
7 ways to get ahead when you don’t have connections
If you have just started learning SEO, you probably don’t know everything. You probably don’t even know where to start and what SEO actually is. Don’t worry, this is a common problem when you are first starting out and I will tell you about the best way to get started if you have no connection in the industry.
1. Expand your Energy in the right dimensions and places
Many people spend enormous amounts of time trying to connect with the wrong resources and categories of individuals. Time, they say, is money and energy is a currency. To achieve all of these and meet the right people that matter, budget accordingly.
Read- What Owning a Business has Done for Me and/ What it can do for You.
2. Nail your Story
As part of getting the interest of people who are already highly connected and influential, you need to nail your story. Know that the most networked people take an interest in authentic and well-developed stories. As impact is the new status symbol, try to humanize your impact in the storyline.
If you have the one big shot to pitch yourself, establish the “why” around your ask. Move further to practice confidently and briefly presenting your idea. Learn how to connect and insightful ways to attract angel investors as a startup in Nigeria.
3. Attend Meetups Tailored to your Goals
Many individuals think they can get connected by attending every science and arts-related meetup. Don’t waste your time attending every science-related meetup in your city. Rather, attend meetups related to your interest or sign up to receive Meetup.com alerts tailored to your specific goals. Whether it’s securing an invitation to a tailored conference, transforming a cold email into a fruitful relationship, or removing strategies that are unlikely to help you pay money.
Check out the Scientific Grant Writing Tips for Startups – Key Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.
4. State your intentions upfront
“Can I invite you over for breakfast?” and “Can I pick you up after work?” are excellent ways to turn a busy person off. When seeking to connect with someone, effectively tell them what you are asking for and the reason. There are people who are judicious of their time and strategy as well. Just tell them “just a short meeting” or “a quick call,” but don’t clearly state why. They would give you a listening ear.
Be quick to tell them what it is you want from them. If you are asking for support or connections, say so. More than just asking, focus on making it clear so as not to waste their time.
Read- Where Business Startups Can Invest their Money in Nigeria- (2022).
5. Start each approach fresh
When you are trying to connect with people, try not to quilt trip them but rather make them feel good. Getting a busy person’s attention, there is no need to ask for too much or tell them how they forgot you. Instead of saying, “I have sent a message several times. Here I am again hoping to talk with you,” go straight to the point. When you wish to connect with someone, strive to make them feel great.
Read- World Bank Grants For Small Businesses in Nigeria.
6. Capitalize on target resources
In targeting your resources, be well aware that connections and capital for business are unequally distributed. On the flip side, it is best you be by that movement that source resources by constant effort. If it eventually works, it’s good. There should be no question that there is a bias in the movement, but on the other flip side, there is money sitting there waiting for some special people.
Like a buffet at a house party, these resources may not be delivered directly to your plate. But the food is there for you to consume. They will probably go to waste if other people don’t get to them first. Enjoy these resources and not say it is for the special ones.
Read- 6 Most Common Types Of Startups and How They Scale.
7. Volunteer with organizations
When I first started working, I went through a phase of connecting with other employers and volunteering at schools and IT industries. It was fun, but I stuck to it for too long. This really got me the connections I needed right now.
Volunteering is an awesome platform to meet great minds and communicate your values and ideologies.
Read- What is Business? – Definition | Features | Examples.
What You Need to Know About the Best Way to Get Connections
How would you succeed when you don’t have all the right connections you need?
I often get a lot of emails from people looking to connect, and for good reason. After finishing school to run a startup and a full-time blog, I spent several years as both an intrapreneur and entrepreneur. Most recently, as founder and CEO of https://solarshoot.com, which backs high-growth blog businesses benefiting those looking to install solar or start an energy business. My blog spans not only business and renewable energy but also technology, startups, loans, and other products.
Still, the challenge of cultivating professional connections wasn’t found. But I started doing well when I got myself more exposed to the SEO and writing industry. I also made friends with those in my line of industry. My experiences with them outsmarted the status quo and, seeing other entrepreneurs inspired by my blog, I started gaining more feasibility.
While I know that getting my foot at the peak of the business and breaking even can be daunting, I am equally adamant that, with the right ingenuity, I can cultivate the connections it takes to succeed.
Looking to break in and learn 7 ways to get ahead when you don’t have connections? Here is where to start.
Conclusion
The best way to get connected with people and make friends is to go to where the people are. Find them with your value and build a community around your products. That might mean going to pitch to investors, it might mean a bookstore, or it might mean hanging outside where your business is based, but wherever there is, there will be people and connections. You can explore one of the article we wrote on what owning a business has done for me and what it can do for you.
