As a regular reader of our newsletter, you may think that the only
way to be a good networker is to attend lots of networking events.
That is far from the truth.  A good networker is someone who
develops and maintains strong relationships with people.
Networking events are just one way to start and/or maintain
relationships. 

If you're looking for other ways to increase your network, use the
three simple steps below to design your own networking plan.

1. Take stock of where you go regularly (a professional
association, your children's school, a coffee shop, your job, a
place of worship, public transportation, a favorite restaurant,
your neighborhood, any place where you regularly come into contact
with others).

2. Ask yourself how well you know the people you see at those
places. 

3. Pick one place to focus on and commit to establishing or
deepening a relationship with at least one person each week from
that place.

Not sure where to start?  Here are eight situations where you can
strike up a conversation, meet new people, and start new
relationships.

*Talk to the people sitting on either side of you when you attend a
 seminar or educational program.
 
*Serve on a Board of Directors and get to know the other Board
 members on an individual basis. 
 
*Talk to the parents of your children's friends when you are
 watching your children at a sporting event, play, or other school
 activity.
 
*After you hear a talk, introduce yourself to the speaker.
 
*Arrive early or stay late at a meeting so you have a chance to talk
 more in-depth with other meeting attendees.
 
*Re-establish contact with former classmates.  Cindy is serving on
 the Reunion Committee for her 20th law school reunion and is having
 fun talking to classmates she hasn't spoken to in years.
 
*Call former colleagues and find out what they are doing.
 
*Set up a one-on-one meeting with someone in your professional
 association.
 
These are just some of the many possibilities for meeting new
people.  If you follow our three step plan above, you will soon
find your network has grown dramatically without ever having to
attend a networking event.