There’s a big difference between networking and building relationships

In the era of social media, networking is easier than ever, often done with just a few clicks. On LinkedIn, a professional networking site, people can amass large numbers of connections. However, only about 1-2% of these connections might turn into trusted business relationships. Does this mean the rest of the network is not valuable? Not at all. Networking is the first step in the journey to building trusted relationships, so it’s important to keep networking.

Networking typically involves making many superficial connections, often with the goal of advancing one's career or gaining new opportunities. This approach can create a large network of acquaintances but doesn’t necessarily lead to meaningful, long-term relationships.

Building relationships, however, focuses on creating genuine connections with fewer people. This involves investing time and effort to understand and support others, fostering trust, and creating mutual benefits. Building relationships can lead to lasting partnerships, mentorship, and a stronger professional network.

Many people complain about having good connections but not being able to turn them into strong business relationships. This highlights the need to understand the difference between networking and relationship-building.

Quality over Quantity: Networking often aims to connect with as many people as possible. Building relationships focuses on deepening connections with a few people.

Mutual Benefit: Networking can be transactional, with people seeking help without giving in return. Building relationships involves mutual support and a willingness to help others.

Long-term Commitment: Networking is often a one-time event. Building relationships requires ongoing effort and commitment to maintain and nurture the connection.

Trust and Loyalty: Building relationships involves developing trust and loyalty, which can lead to lasting partnerships and a stronger professional network.

Personal Connection: Building relationships involves getting to know people on a personal level, sharing interests, and understanding their goals and values. Networking often focuses on professional titles and job descriptions.

While networking can provide a large network of contacts, building relationships offers deeper, more meaningful connections that can lead to lasting professional and personal benefits.