The best networking is slow-cooked, not microwaved. Find events where you can have some kind of regular presence.

Got nothing to lose by going to one-time events as they're good practice for meeting people, but you won't really cultivate long-term professional relationships that way.

It takes time which relies on that regularity aspect. Build trust and don't look at networking as a transactional thing.

The best advice about networking is to show up. And not just once. Keep going.

Sounds really obvious but if you are a comfortable "old shoe" around groups you need to mingle with for business you'll have little trouble talking business at appropriate moments.

This is why more business is done at golf clubs and other hobby locations than in many boardrooms. If you're always around in a good way, and share a common goal or interest in that situation you will become more credible, more trustworthy and thus more likely to do business with.

The real trick though is you have to be genuine. Faking a like of golf and taking three lessons will not work in the case of golf or any other hobby or interest, whatever it may be.

Good networking is about farming not hunting. Try to find people who are also above your own level - more successful, more stable and more helpful. That will have the effect of raising you over time without you even realising it.

https://Meetup.com provides an easy starting point.

You can network.

Study what works + what fails at each event you attend.

Tool your own networking group on what works best.

I've been running Masterminds for years. Periodically I just pick a Meetup event near where I live or when I'm traveling + attend.

Highly instructive, so see how each group works.

Hi,

So it sounds like your question is really two questions:

1.) How do I find the right people to invite to my network and build relationships with?

2.) Once I define who those people are, how do I go about building that relationship, or network, and how do I sustain it over time?

As for the first question, I would agree with what David said, Meet Up's can be a good place to start. Doing LinkedIn searched with a "geo-filter" for the DC area could be effective as well.

Meet Up's might be a good way to initially meet some of the stakeholders you're hoping to make contact with, but building a strong foundation for a relationship, and maintaining it may be a little more challenging. Not all Meet Up's are structured the same way, some are effectively facilitated, and some are not.

It could be most effective for you to create your own "community building" or "networking" Meet Up that's centered around your own specific idea, issue, or industry, and then go to other related Meet Up's in order to invite people to your own Meet Up that you have more control over.

What I mean by "control" is you can have more control over the "networking" or "community building" frameworks to accomplish those very things. Examples: What is the physical structure of where the Meet Up is taking place? Is it a place that everyone is comfortable and is conducive to community building? What dialogue strategies or protocols could be used to ensure that all parties are heard, understood, and valued to ensure that everyone wants to come back to another Meet Up? Maybe it makes more sense to hire a 3rd party facilitator to help manage this process?

In closing, there are lots of things to consider, let me know if you want to book a call with me and we can take a deeper dive.

Best,

-Kevin

I will start by reviewing which group are already operating successful in DC. Even attend a meeting or two. This will give you a better knowledge/understanding of what's on offer. The key benefits they provide for their members. If there is anything missing or something that you can add. For people to join a new group and show up regularly there most be clear benefits for them to see and understand from the out set. Networking is all about Building Relationship and it takes a long time and effort to be fruitful at it. I hope this is helpful.

We are about to see the end of 2020 which can better be labelled as a “pandemic year”. Come 2021 we can include some of the strategies of 2018 in our business to help them grow again. Let us look at some of the strategies of 2018.
1. When your architects interact with people from other companies, it is helpful for them to understand your firm’s vision and to be comfortable speaking about it.
2. You never know who might be in the audience. Encourage audience engagement at the end and make yourself as approachable as possible.
3. Publishing online content is one of the fastest ways to grow your digital audience. Post pictures of your projects and work by other architects that you admire. Consider using LinkedIn to remotely network with professionals in a similar line of business.
4. To help streamline your business operations and create more time for networking, it is essential to have business management solutions that fulfil the unique needs of architectural firms. A cloud-based project accounting software like BQE Core dramatically simplifies billing, accounting, business intelligence, and project management tasks.
Besides if you do have any questions give me a call: https://clarity.fm/joy-brotonath

Building and maintaining a strategic professional network requires thoughtful planning and consistent effort. Here's a comprehensive strategy to help you achieve your networking goals in DC and your original country:

### 1. Define Your Goals and Target Audience

**Goals:**
- **Short-term:** Identify specific milestones for each quarter (e.g., attending certain events, connecting with X number of key individuals).
- **Long-term:** Define where you want your network to be in 5-10 years, including potential collaborations, partnerships, or career advancements.

**Target Audience:**
- **In DC:** Focus on influential professionals in your industry, policymakers, business leaders, and organizations relevant to your goals.
- **In Your Original Country:** Identify key industry leaders, alumni from your school, local business groups, and relevant organizations.

### 2. Research and Identify Key People and Groups

**In DC:**
- **Professional Associations:** Join associations related to your industry (e.g., Chamber of Commerce, industry-specific groups).
- **Networking Events:** Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops relevant to your field.
- **Online Platforms:** Use LinkedIn to identify and connect with influential professionals.

**In Your Original Country:**
- **Alumni Networks:** Leverage alumni groups from your school or university.
- **Local Business Groups:** Join chambers of commerce and industry-specific groups.
- **Social Media:** Use LinkedIn and local professional networks to connect with key individuals.

### 3. Understand WIFIIT (What's In It For Them)

**Research Interests and Needs:**
- **Personal Interests:** Identify what each key individual values (e.g., career growth, industry trends, mentorship).
- **Professional Goals:** Understand their business or professional goals and how you can assist or add value.

**Tailor Your Approach:**
- **Mutual Benefits:** Highlight how a connection or collaboration can benefit both parties.
- **Value Proposition:** Clearly communicate what you bring to the table, whether it's knowledge, resources, or connections.

### 4. Develop and Implement Your Networking Plan

**Step 1: Initial Outreach**
- **Personalized Messages:** Craft tailored messages for initial contact, referencing mutual interests or connections.
- **Informational Interviews:** Request short meetings to learn more about their work and share your own experiences.

**Step 2: Build Relationships**
- **Follow-Up:** Send thank-you notes after meetings and keep in touch regularly.
- **Offer Help:** Provide assistance or share valuable resources without expecting immediate returns.
- **Engage on Social Media:** Like, comment, and share their posts to stay visible and engaged.

**Step 3: Regular Engagement**
- **Attend Events:** Consistently participate in relevant events and activities.
- **Organize Meetups:** Host informal gatherings or small events to deepen relationships.
- **Content Sharing:** Share relevant articles, research, or insights that might interest them.

### 5. Maintain and Strengthen Your Network

**Consistent Communication:**
- **Newsletters:** Send periodic updates about your work and industry insights.
- **Holiday Greetings:** Send personalized holiday or milestone greetings.

**Mutual Introductions:**
- **Connecting People:** Introduce contacts to each other when there’s a mutual benefit.
- **Endorsements and Recommendations:** Offer LinkedIn endorsements and write recommendations when appropriate.

**Feedback and Adaptation:**
- **Seek Feedback:** Regularly ask for feedback on how you can be more helpful or improve the relationship.
- **Adapt Strategies:** Adjust your networking strategies based on what’s working and what’s not.

### 6. Utilize Technology

**CRM Tools:**
- **Networking Apps:** Use tools like LinkedIn, Shapr, or other professional networking apps to manage contacts.
- **CRM Systems:** Implement a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to track interactions and follow-ups.

### Example Networking Plan for Q1 2018:

**January:**
- **Join two professional associations in DC and your original country.**
- **Identify and list 50 key individuals to connect with.**
- **Send personalized LinkedIn invitations to 10 people weekly.**

**February:**
- **Attend at least three networking events or meetups.**
- **Schedule informational interviews with at least five key contacts.**
- **Share relevant articles or insights with your network weekly.**

**March:**
- **Host a small networking dinner or coffee meeting.**
- **Send a quarterly newsletter to your network with updates and insights.**
- **Review and adjust your strategy based on feedback and interactions.**

By following this structured approach, you'll be able to strategically build and maintain a robust professional network in both DC and your original country, ensuring long-term success and mutual benefits.