How can you build long-lasting relationships with entrepreneurs?

Looking to the future, I believe the importance of building strong relationships will only grow. In an increasingly digital and competitive world, the human touch will become more valuable. For startups, this means opportunities for collaboration will often stem from the strength of your relationships. A strong network can lead to partnerships, mentorships, and even new business avenues.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned as an entrepreneur is that you can't go it alone. Building strong relationships is essential not only to grow your business but also to help navigate the challenges that you will be faced with over the span of your career. A critical aspect of being a leader means knowing when to ask for help, whom to ask, and how to put that advice into practice. Entrepreneurship is often a lonely journey, but the thing is, it doesn't have to be. Strong relationships with peers can open doors to new opportunities, and provide valuable support and priceless advice to gain momentum in your career 1- Find Opportunities to Connect 2-Build Strong Relationships

For many entrepreneurs, their business is their baby. They will be overwhelmingly protective of it. They also realize that there are sharks who will 1) try to steal their money under the guise of 'consulting', and 2) try to steal their ideas and intellectual property. Realizing this is the key to building a solid relationship with them. Approaching them as a salesperson won't work. They don't trust you yet. Asking them to trust you on anything is risky. Approaching them more as a friend or mentor without asking anything in return will open doors. Ask how you can help them. Find out what they are struggling with, then try to help, even if it's not your area of business. It will break down their defenses faster than any slick sales pitch.

It took 12 years to get to my first exit. I didn't have much help from other entrepreneurs and mentors back then. Most lessons I learned the hard way. And while mistakes are key to growing, sometimes it's easier to hear what worked or didn't work for someone else instead. Since then, I've had one-on-one advisory calls with over 600 entrepreneurs and have been teaching this work to high school students for nine years. I've learned to listen intently to extract the core problem or need someone is describing. I try not to give advice or "tell" them what to do. I've found it more effective to share from experience, mine, or others. This allows them to come to their own conclusions and they are more likely to take meaningful action that way.

By establishing honesty from the get go. Integrity is one of the most valuable currencies out there. Come from a place of sincerity, not selfishness. Show a genuine interest in THEIR needs, not yours. Make an effort to provide value for free on a consistent basis. BE who you say you are.

Before reaching out to entrepreneurs on LinkedIn, take the time to review their profiles and posts. Identify their interests, recent activities, or pain points, and tailor your initial message accordingly.

Proactively offer value. Entrepreneurs are more likely to appreciate and remember those who consistently provide insights, resources, or opportunities that align with their interests.

To build rapport with entrepreneurs, be genuinely curious and helpful. Ask open-ended questions, listen actively, and offer feedback. Share your insights, but don't make it about you. Show you care, be helpful without expectations, and build trust.

Acknowledging entrepreneurs' achievements is pivotal in nurturing relationships. When they reach milestones or celebrate successes, be the first to extend your congratulations or support.

A reliable person is a scarce commodity. So discipline yourself to be reliable. If you make a promise to an entrepreneur you met at an event or elsewhere make sure you keep that promise. If you can't keep the promise for any reason contact the entrepreneur and let him know ahead of time.

In my experience with some absolutely incredible founders, they care deeply about high quality, tactical and specific support that moves the needle for the business. This can be in the form of feedback on a large deal, a key introduction, a quick review of a product roadmap, thoughts on a marketing campaign, and/or support with a key hire. While the best founders appreciate some level of proactivity, you need to earn that right or have it be an explicit conversation. Most will want you to be there when they want you to be and not for a second more. Supporting founders is one of the most rewarding roles to play but you need to have a clear dialog with the founder on how they like to be supported and follow that.

In the spirit of mutual support, explore opportunities for collaboration. Entrepreneurs often appreciate partners or allies who can complement their skills or expand their reach.

Instead of asking an entrepreneur 'how you can help?', I like to proactively suggest ways that I can add value. It may be opening my network, providing introductions, giving feedback on a product or fundraising process or it may simply listening and showing empathy. The key is being proactive and tuning into the bespoke needs of the founder rather than being passive and waiting to be asked.

Being supportive around fellow entrepreneurs helps gain trust and support in return. At the same time, providing valuable inputs and advises can also help fellow entrepreneurs in navigating through problems that may arise from their ventures.

Propose the idea of facilitating targeted networking opportunities. Explain that connecting entrepreneurs with relevant contacts in your network can be a powerful way to support their growth.

Often times, I have to tell founders that I really like and admire that I'm not going to invest in their company. The majority of the time, I'm not asked why I passed on investing but when I am asked, I offer to get on a quick call to walk them thru my decision. During that call I provide transparent feedback and reflections on the business, pitch, opportunity.

Being authentic and respectful in your interactions involves knowing yourself, listening actively, and maintaining open, honest communication. Show empathy and respect personal boundaries. Embrace diversity, be kind and courteous, and empower others to reach their potential. Avoid hasty judgments, apologize when necessary, and give credit where it's due. Setting and respecting boundaries is crucial, and patience is key as authenticity and respect take time to develop. These qualities not only enhance relationships but also create a positive and supportive environment.

Boundaries and clear exceptions are so important in life, especially in business. You want to keep a good name be a trusted leader and follow through. I think that's so important in building long-lasting relationships your word and your work are your brand.

"To build authentic relationships you need to lead with generosity & serve them first" - Keith Ferrazzi. Entrepreneurs have tight schedules - respect their time and be prepared for any meetings. Relationships are built on mutual benefit, but rather than 'keeping score', be generous and add value whenever you are able to. Whether it's sharing a resource, introducing them to a potential partner/client, or providing feedback, your generosity will be remembered.

There is no substitute of this as honesty will breed honesty, especially in an entrepreneurial journey when one is already invested so much time, energy, and both financial and economic resources. It becomes paramount to not get into the rat hole of pretending to be someone or something else. When we are our true to our own self and others, we won’t have any regrets in the end. This is a tried and tested formula which works well both in business and life in general!

Building relationships with entrepreneurs is akin to tending a garden. Regular nurturing, attention, and care are essential to see the relationships blossom and thrive. Go beyond professional intersections; explored shared interests and common grounds that enrich the connection. Furthermore, diversification is key. Avoid the silo effect; introduce them to your network, and expose them to diverse perspectives and opportunities. This multidimensional approach ensures the relationship is dynamic, growing, and resilient.

On LinkedIn you can do this by making sure they see you regularly: 1. In the comment section below their posts 2. In their DM at the right moment (Bdays, milestones, continue talking about that great post, etc.) 3. On their feed - your posts 4. On their feed - in com. section of people they trust / other thoughtleaders This will get you trust and authority. This will grow new relations.

Nurturing these relationships require a certain level of skill. Your goal is to stay in touch without overwhelming the entrepreneur with your presence. They are busy too and need time and space for what matters to them. So put yourself in their shoes. As much as they like you, they might not want to be with you or relate with you all the time. Irrespective of whether you are communicating with them virtually or physically. Unfortunately, this skill is not something you are born with. It is something you learn from experience. Diversity: It is important for your own mental health that you diversify the connections in your network. While it is important to specialize, it is mind broadening to relate with people in other industries too.

I believe in consistently providing support and value by staying engaged and responsive to their evolving needs and challenges. This means maintaining regular communication, offering assistance, and delivering on promises. Simultaneously, I emphasize the importance of diversifying our engagements by seeking opportunities for collaboration, introducing them to new contacts, or exploring innovative ways to work together. By nurturing the relationship's core and branching out into various collaborative endeavors, we can create a resilient, multifaceted, and long-lasting partnership that adapts and grows over time.

Nurturing and diversifying relationships with entrepreneurs is key for longevity. From my experience, consistent communication and support are essential. Regular check-ins, not just about business but personal well-being, build a deeper connection. Diversifying involves exploring various ways to collaborate – from joint projects to networking events. Offering diverse forms of assistance and staying adaptable to their evolving needs strengthens the relationship. It's like tending to a garden, where ongoing care and introducing new elements contribute to a flourishing and resilient connection.

Connecting with other entrepreneurs is incredibly valuable. It's not just about transactions; it's about building authentic relationships. In my experience, the key is to genuinely care about the people you meet. Don't just focus on what they can do for you; show interest in their journey and offer your support where you can.

I think being able to share your network to help others is very powerful. I have a saying, "If I don't have the answer, I can find someone who does." I let the people in my network know that if they ever have a question or situation they need help with, contact me, and I will put them in touch with someone who can assist them. People find this very valuable, and I have folks I've stayed in touch with for more than 17 years because they know they can reach out to me, and I will do everything I can to assist them.

In my experience of working with entrepreneurs, being genuinely honest and supportive matter a lot. Do not promise what you cannot deliver. Instead, under-promise and over-deliver. Also, I find focusing on helping others to get what they want as a great way of solidifying trustworthiness which is a key component for building trust-based long-term relationships.

Genuine Interest: Show genuine interest in their ventures and ideas. Offer Support: Provide help, resources, and assistance when possible. Networking: Attend entrepreneurial events and join industry-related networks. Be Reliable: Deliver on promises and commitments consistently. Share Knowledge: Offer insights and expertise without expecting immediate returns. Celebrate Success: Acknowledge and celebrate their achievements. Be a Good Listener: Pay attention to their challenges and successes. Collaborate: Seek opportunities for collaboration and partnerships. Stay Connected: Maintain regular communication to nurture the relationship. Show Gratitude: Express gratitude for their contributions and support.

Cut out the noise. Entrepreneurship is full of dreamers, fools, and fakers. Learn what makes people authentic and real. To find the good entrepreneurs, you need to be able to discern them from the bad.