The Therapist’s Networking Guide: Stragic vs. Shotgun Networking to Build Your Practice

This is part of an episodic series, The Therapist’s Networking Guide.  It began here.

One of the best ways for you to build your private practice is to network strategically rather than in a shotgun-like approach.  By that I mean that it is much more effective to go deeply into an organization rather than move more superficially among several organizations.

Strategic networking requires that you do more than show up for the monthly meeting.  Instead, it means you would  join an organization and then join a committee or two — an active committee that meets on a regular basis —  to do the work of the group.  Perhaps, over time, you would run for a position on the Board of Directors — building your credibility and your visibility.

"Drip Drops and the Spider Web" by bitzcelt / Mike Bitzenhofer

On the other hand, shotgun networking is just that.  It’s scattered, unfocused and lacks purpose.  It’s just showing up with no forethought and assuming that the business will follow you.  It won’t follow you.  It never does.  Not without you taking a more intentional and focused approach.

Have you found your networking to be mostly ineffective to date?  If so, here’s some tips to network in a more strategic way:

• Find an organization that you can be excited about.  That means that you may need to shop around.  It doesn’t have to be an organization that is related to your profession.  It may be a networking group, like the National Association of Women Business Owners or your local chamber of commerce.  Or, it may be something that appeals to your personal interests such as the Sierra Club or to your political interests such as the Democratic National Convention or the Republican National Convention.  Perhaps you can get excited about your religious community or a charity such as the National Center for Victims of Crime.  Who you get involved with matters mostly because if you cannot get excited about the purpose of the group, you’ll really struggle to be committed to the work they do.

• Once you find the right organization for you, join it and get involved.  Determine where your talents and interests will serve the group best.  It does no one any good if you hate all aspects of writing / publishing / editing and yet join the Newsletter Committee.  On the other hand, if you are an extrovert who likes meeting new people and you put other people at ease quickly, then you may be a huge asset to the Greeting Committee or the Membership Committee.

• However, remember that even if you have a natural strength that the organization needs, from a strategic networking perspective, you don’t want to get stuck working solo on a task that provides you no opportunities for visibility or relationship building.

• By now you should be attending the group’s monthly general meetings like clockwork.  Why?  For two reasons.  First, you want to appear dependable.  (It reflects directly on your work ethic.) And, second, you need to be showing up at every event possible for the purpose of building relationships.  Your business and mine depend upon relationships.

Looking for other ways to engage in professional and strategic networking?  The next post in this episodic series is The Therapist’s Networking Guide:  More Than Just A Meeting.