To subtly increase the breadth of your professional contacts, where should you begin?

Networking is key to broadening your professional contacts because it involves actively engaging with individuals in your industry to build relationships. This approach encourages meaningful connections that can lead to opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and referrals. Networking can occur in various settings, such as events, workshops, or through mutual acquaintances, making it a versatile and effective strategy for expanding your professional circle.

While social media groups can offer a way to connect with others, they may lack the personal touch and active engagement that face-to-face networking provides. Cold calling potential clients is often viewed as intrusive and may not yield fruitful long-term relationships. Attending trade shows is beneficial for making connections, but it typically requires more time and resources compared to the continuous, organic process of networking. Therefore, starting with networking allows for a broader and more sustainable growth of professional relationships over time.