He loves connecting with passionate like minded people who share his interests

5 Tips to Building A Thriving Business Network

Scott Assemakis is aware ofhow important an influential business network can bewhen it comes to achieving entrepreneurial success.

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Your network is your go-to place for ideas, resources and advice from like-minded people who share your interests and support you on your way to success.

And since your network can make you or break you as an entrepreneur, it is crucial that you know how to build thriving connections that fuelyour business.

Even if you don't think you need a network right now, you should still start building it. It will help you honecritical skills. You will meet new people, and you will learn how to reach out to influential individuals.

Moreover, you will definitely need your network later on.

Why should I build a network before I need it?

Building a thriving business network before you need it will enable you to get inside information from people and businesses that are already successful.

Theexperience gainedwill be invaluable to you in the long run. You might even get your very own business idea from withinyour network.

Remember that humans are social beings. We have to socialize, and we do much better when we're working in teams.

But what's the difference between a group and a team?

A group's productivity level is calculated as the sum of each individual's personal productivity level. A team's overall productivity, however, is much greater than that.

That's why we call them teams – and that's why high-level businesses use them. Teams are much more efficient than individuals working by themselves.

Build a thriving network before you think you'll need it. Team up with people. Listen to them. Brainstorm ideas and look to help them succeed without necessarily expecting something in return. It will pay off in the long run.

 Scott Assemakis's 5 Tips to Influential Networking

1. Be Comfortable Reaching Out to Strangers

The truth is, when you build your network, you will have to reach out to strangers. And the easiest, simplest way to do it these days is online.

One thing you should always keep in mind is that every person on the internet is approachable.

No matter how big or busy they might seem, you have a shot at connecting with them.

Seriously? You mean, even that big name in my industry whom I've been following the blog of for years? They are approachable even by me, a mere beginner who's just starting out?

Yes, including them. People are approachable. We all love connecting – and most of all, we all love compliments. And that includes big guys.

If you've been reading someone's blog for a while and would like to connect with them – simply shoot an e-mail their way. Tell them how much you enjoy their work.

If you've had any results from following their advice, that makes the compliment even stronger!

Tell them exactly what you learned from their teachings, and how you applied thatto your own life. Then share the results you've got from that.

They're going to love you for it, no matter how big or busy they might be. New York Times Best Selling authors answer e-mails from their readers all the time.

But don't take our tip for it – go try this yourself! E-mail that influential person in your industry right now. What's the worst that can happen? And what's the best that can happen?

It's definitely worth a shot.

 2. Find Common Interests– No Matter How Small

When you first reach out to someone, you will come across as being much more familiar if you mention something you have in common.

This can be either a common interest or a common acquaintance – no matter how unrelated.

You can mention a common connection of yours on LinkedIn.

Or a user you both follow on Twitter. Alternatively, you can use a popular blogger or website you're both following as apretext for reaching out to them.

This will further generate discussion topics that are of interest to both of you. More importantly, however, the sound of that familiar name will make you come across as more familiar yourself.

Leveraging common interests will help you create that essential connection with someone at the most critical moment of your relationship: the beginning.

 3. Focus on Them. Be a Good Listener.

After you establish that first-time connection with someone – especially if they're already more influential than you are – thenlistento them.

Put yourself in their shoes. What are their interests? What would they like to hear from you? Why would they have an interest in connecting with you in the first place?

Try to figure out what are those things that you can do for them to make them look good. To help them provide even more value.

Remember that the best relationships are always mutually beneficial.

Don't focus on what you want out of the interaction – because that will come in naturally at one point anyway. Focus on them instead: their needs, their interests, the things that you can do to help them.

Now, if they're already much more influential than you are in your industry, it might seem like there's not much you can really do to serve their needs.

In most cases that's not true. You can find small things that someone would really appreciate in any relationship.

Develop a genuine interest in their work. Follow the steps they once followed, and ask them to tell you about their own experience. Implement their advice. Share your results. They'll be interested in hearing that.

 4. Make Genuine Compliments

Everyone loves compliments. They help you build deep connections with people.

However, we're not talking "I like your tie" type compliments here. We're talking deep, covered-by-action compliments.

Likes, shares, retweets, real interest in what someone's hard work – they're all compliments in their own way.

Following someone's advice – being genuinely interested in their experience and teachings – is one of the strongest compliments there is.

Think about it. Someone puts a lot of effort, probably a lifetime, to gather experience in one area or industry. They spend years and years doing this.

Then, after having learned about that one thing for so long, they decide to share their experience with the world.

They put all of these years of experience down in a blog or book. Imagine how emotionally invested they are in their work at this point. They went through all that effort and now all they want is to see other people achieve the same results they did.

You read their book, follow their advice, and get some results. Then you share this with them, simply saying thanks.

Is there any better compliment in the world?

By sharing your results, you give them something to show for their hard work – something that also adds even more value to what they have to offer.

Your getting real results by following their advice is also proof that their advice actually works. It further establishes them as experts in their fields, allowing them to reach even more people with their work.

This makes them feel great. And people want to spend time with other people that make them feel great.

If you've already been following someone for a while and getting results from their advice, then why not tell them?

Do both of you a favour right now and do it. Send them a short e-mail to say thanks. Share the exact things you did as a result of reading their advice – and tell them what results you've got.

They will respond. And that will be your perfect chance to connect with the big name you'd been following for so long.

 5. People Who Introduce Get Introduced

It's true. If you introduce other people the right way, they will automatically want to return the favour.

But how do you introduce people the right way?

As explained in this video, before you introduce other people, you need to make sure both parties will benefit from the relationship you're creating.

By doing this, you avoid annoying the influential people in your network by referring them to others whom they have no interest in.

In fact, it will be quite the opposite. If you make good introductions, the influential people in your networkwill want you to introduce them to even moreof the right people.

Don't simply introduce two persons because you think they might like each other. Introduce them because you know they will both benefit from it.

As explained in the video mentioned above, there are two steps to effective introduction:

Step 1: Tell both parties why you think they will benefit from this relationship, and ask them if they want you to do it. Sell them on being introduced before you introduce them.

Step 2:Re-iterate why the two parties should meet when you introduce them. This will make the connection frictionless, and no one will be confused about what to say or do.

Remember. People who introduce get introduced. Become a facilitator of mutually beneficial relationships within your network – and benefit from other people returning the same favour to you.

 More Great Tips From Scott Assemakis

Scott Assemakis is an experienced entrepreneur and business enthusiast. He loves connecting with passionate, like-minded people who share his interests.

Since we talk networking – why not connect with Scott Assemakis right now on Twitter and LinkedIn?