“It’s not what you know—it’s who you know.”
Though tired and overused, this cliche is often true in the business world. While this can be frustrating to accept, it’s a fact of life.
However, there’s an important catch: if you can combine your unique skills with a healthy business network, your professional career (and your small business) will surge.
Networking is much more than a box to check: it’s a mindset that can unlock your personal, professional, and financial potential.
If you’re wondering how to network in the United States, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we will discuss the many advantages of networking, provide strategies for networking success, and reveal helpful ways to overcome common networking challenges.
Why Networking Matters
For most Americans, networking is a nightmare.
Just ask your coworker, employee, or client what “networking” brings to mind. They will more than likely describe a loud gathering in a hotel conference room loaded with nametags, burnt coffee, and a strong whiff of anxiety.
Here’s some good news: networking doesn’t need to be so stressful.
Here’s some even better news: you’re already doing it every single day.
After all, networking is the most human activity imaginable. It’s simply the social process of making new relationships and developing pre-existing ones.
In the modern era, networking can have a thousand faces, whether it’s grabbing coffee with a colleague, meeting over Zoom with a prospect, chatting on LinkedIn with a vendor, or attending a college reunion.
It can also come in the form of pro bono teaching, community service, or playing a round of golf with a “friend of a friend”. In a very real sense, everything is networking.
Though it has many permutations, networking delivers major benefits.
Broader Perspectives
Networking shines a light on the “unknown unknowns” in our professional field of view.
In other words, it reveals the blindspots in our understanding, broadens our perspectives and inspires new avenues for success. Even one fresh idea could open up entirely new horizons for your career.
Sharpened Clarity
Networking positions you to learn things that took others a lifetime to acquire.
Most professionals are surprisingly willing to share their advice—especially if they have already achieved notable success.
Whether you attend a large workshop with keynote speakers or attend a casual lunch for a small group, networking can expose you to potentially career-defining information that no amount of money can match.
Enhanced Support Systems
The business world can be callous, and setbacks are unavoidable.
Solid friendships and alliances, born from networking, provide the strongest support amidst uncertainty. When times are tough, it’s vital to have trusted colleagues who understand what you’re dealing with and can help you get to the other side.
Opportunities for Collaboration
While eliminating blindspots, networking can inspire exciting (and even unexpected) partnerships with your peers.
The possibilities are endless: such alliances could diversify your product lines, open entirely new markets, or even combine resources to help you tackle larger projects. New relationships can quickly convert the impossible into the inevitable.
Expanded Referrals
By increasing your visibility, networking can directly generate referrals.
While traditional advertising remains important, any referrals gained through networking often become the highest quality business endorsement. In fact, the clients you gain through networking could become the anchor of your own 80-20 rule (where 80% of your business revenue derives from 20% of your clientele).
Upgraded Suppliers and Resources
Maybe your current vendors and partnerships are amazing. But maybe they could be even better!
When we work in isolation, it’s impossible to discover new and improved ways of running your business. Conversely, networking positions you to hear from your peers (and yes, your competitors), who can recommend new providers and resources that could save you time and money.
As you can see, networking delivers a host of powerful benefits.
The question is: how can you get started?
Seven Strategies for Networking
In the literary world, networking is a genre unto itself.
Visit your local library or bookstore, and you’ll have no trouble finding countless books on the subject. Even a quick Google search will yield thousands of recommendations.
In this article, however, we’d like to take a more holistic perspective and focus on the core tenets of a dynamic networking strategy.
As with all things, this journey begins in the mind.
1. First Things First: A Psychological Shift
Networking induces anxiety as it entices individuals to concentrate on the result instead of the journey. Wanting to win is normal (and healthy), but when results block your routine, stress quickly enters the picture.
Therefore, when you think about networking, it may be helpful to view the process as one of giving rather than getting, and as one of learning rather than obtaining. The more curiosity you have, the more you’ll absorb. The more enthusiastic you are, the more you’ll enjoy the process. The more genuine you are, the more authentic your interactions will be.
At the same time, recognize that you have a lot to offer your peers. When you’re willing to share your knowledge and perspective, you will be more likely to receive the same level of investment and guidance from others.
2. Cultivate Pre-Existing Relationships
The goal of growing your network can cause you to overlook (and undervalue) your current relationships. This can be a big mistake.
As a professional and entrepreneur, you already have a trusted group of partnerships, colleagues, and friends. Therefore, it’s of paramount importance to cultivate those pre-existing relationships and bring them with you throughout your future endeavors.
Life moves fast, and it can be easy to leave people behind for newer and “shinier” endeavors.
But remember: the people you know already are the ones who helped you get here. Plus, you never know what great heights they will reach, or potentially invite you to join.
3. Identify Industry Groups
While “general” networking events have value, it’s best to focus on groups within your specific profession—especially since time is limited.
Commonality is key to relationships, and workshops designed exclusively for your industry will often provide the most fertile ground for growth.
Such events include:
- Mastermind groups, where select teams of entrepreneurs regularly meet to discuss notable trends, challenges, and strategies.
- Industry conferences, where larger groups of peers and thought leaders share diverse perspectives, discuss time-tested solutions, and investigate industry shifts.
- Business associations, where local small business owners can collaborate and discuss regional opportunities and municipal laws. Unlike mastermind groups, these events are typically sponsored by the local chamber of commerce.
While there will be many offerings available to you, don’t worry about joining them all. Instead, try to choose just one organization where you can fully invest your time and attention.
4. Pursue Educational Opportunities
Even if you’re at the top of your industry, there’s always more to learn.
Just ask Thomas Edison, the foremost American inventor, who freely admitted “We don’t know a millionth of one percent about anything”.
If your schedule allows, be sure to make room for coaching seminars, skills workshops, and classes for personal growth. Just as industry-focused events are great, so are general educational events, like marketing classes, certification courses, public speaking coaching, or business-oriented book clubs.
Life is an educational adventure, and broad-based learning can lead to more enriching (and more intellectually diversified) relationships.
5. Enjoy Recreational Groups
Networking is at its best when it’s fun. In fact, your hobbies could provide the most natural introduction to new customers, partnerships, and friends. There’s a reason why sports like golf and tennis are considered classic networking tools.
After all, they provide a fun (and lightly competitive) environment to spend time with clients and prospects. Though you share business or financial interests in common, the task at hand—acing your serve or making a five-foot putt—takes priority.
Beyond those archetypal business sports, other hobbies can provide easy entrée into a networking opportunity. For example, maybe you’re interested in local politics, learning how to paint, or joining a nearby yoga studio or fitness club.
Remember, if it involves people—whether for fun or financial growth—you’re networking.
Note: if you have time, try to engage in community service nearby. By volunteering for events and causes, you’ll have the privilege of serving your local area while spending time with people you otherwise wouldn’t get to meet.
6. Leverage Social Media
Though nothing beats in-person events, social media provides another great outlet to network.
It’s easy to use, fast, and in most cases, free of charge.
To increase your digital footprint, be sure to leverage platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and other industry-specific forums. In some cases, business owners also use TikTok to attract younger audiences.
While social media is a great way to promote your business, it’s an equally effective way to meet and converse with like-minded professionals. By joining specific groups and discussions, you can stay on the cutting edge of your industry with the click of a button.
7. Join Immigrant Business Networks
Your immigrant story is your superpower.
It’s what unites you with countless other entrepreneurs who came to the U.S.A. to pursue their business ambitions.
Therefore, you have a unique opportunity to unite with other immigrants who have made similar sacrifices to be here. Together, you can relate to the challenges you have overcome and celebrate the opportunities you have harnessed.
By joining immigrant business networks in your area (and online), you will gain allies for life.
Overcoming Common Networking Challenges
Before we conclude, we wanted to briefly address the three most common setbacks that networking can present.
Challenge #1: Nerves
If networking makes you anxious, start by attending more intimate events.
For example, rather than signing up for an epic Tony Robbins-style seminar, pursue local workshops with under 25 people.
Practice your elevator pitch, prepare a few incisive questions, and dress for success. The rest will take care of itself.
Modern neuroscience affirms this rewarding cycle. In fact, if you dislike networking and do it anyway, your mental stamina and self-confidence will surge.
And as your confidence grows— and as you continue putting yourself in the mix—you’ll be able to attend increasingly large gatherings and navigate them with ease.
Challenge #2: Language Barriers
Networking is hard enough.
But as for networking in a foreign language? That’s a whole other challenge.
While it takes time to master the English language, it’s important to go slow. The learning process can be both vulnerable and frustrating, and the last thing you need to do is pressure yourself into accelerating the process.
Put networking on hold until you’re ready to enter the conversation with a full head of steam. You’ll know when you’re ready to get started.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to learning English in a fun and effective manner.
Challenge #3: Time Management
As a professional, you have a lot on your plate. As a small business owner, you have even more to consider.
While networking can seem burdensome at any stage of your career, it helps to focus your goals on one or two specific targets.
For example, rather than signing up for a laundry list of workshops and seminars, pick just one to attend, and give it your full attention.
Or, maybe you get overwhelmed by the many potential connections at a gathering. In this case, it’s best to tell yourself ahead of time, “I’m going to speak to just five people tonight. That’s it.”
As always, focus on quality over quantity. So even when you’re surrounded by hundreds of people, your networking strategy can keep you calm.
Building Bridges, Here and at Home
You could spend a lifetime reading about networking tips.
Ultimately, the most important step you can take is simply to start. Show up to lectures, take workshops, join classes—participate in whatever is available (and applicable) to you.
In doing the work, you will forge your own path and develop the relationships you crave.
Will there be a period of uncomfortability?
You bet! But as we’ve seen, it’s that initial awkwardness that builds your resilience, confidence, and success.
At uLink, we truly admire your tenacity and drive. As an immigrant in the U.S., you’ve already completed a momentous challenge that most people wouldn’t dare to imagine.
When compared to the scope of your life’s journey, networking is negligible. Just keep showing up and the results will follow.
Throughout your journey, uLink is here to help you make international money transfers from the United States as seamless as possible for you. As you help your own career by networking, we help you take care of your loved ones back home.
