Back to Authority & Trust
Section 10 · Networking
Strategic Networking
Your network is your unfair advantage. Build it with intent.
Authority
Growth
Why it works
Most career-defining opportunities come from people who already know and trust you. Compound that with deliberate networking.
Connects to
Authority
Growth
When to use it
Always — but especially during career shifts, launches, or expansion phases.
When NOT to use it
Don't 'pitch on first message' — generic asks destroy trust before it forms.
How to use it
- Identify 50 people in your niche worth knowing.
- Engage with their content for 30 days before reaching out.
- Send personalized, specific connection requests.
- Offer value first: intro, idea, helpful link, feedback.
- Stay in touch quarterly with light, useful messages.
- Join 2-3 communities where your peers actually gather.
Examples
Strategic
Many founders credit 80% of investor intros to deliberate Twitter/LinkedIn relationships.
Transactional
Mass DM-ing for sales — almost always damages reputation faster than it generates leads.