Networking and collaboration are powerful tools in brand building. With the right connections, resources, and people behind you, you can build a strong foundation for your personal brand. But how do you know who to network with and which collaborations will be most successful? In this article, I’ll share strategies for smart networking and collaboration so you can successfully grow your brand.
What is Horizontal Networking?
Horizontal networking is about connecting with those on a similar level. This type of networking allows you to gain different perspectives, learn new skills, develop new ideas, and expand your circle of influence. Here are 2 examples of what horizontal networking might look like:
1) Partnering with another academic who has a similar-sized audience.
2) Having coffee with another professional who is developing their personal brand using similar methods as you.
In order for this style of networking to work, your relationship must be mutually beneficial. Ask yourself what you can offer the other person and what they can offer you in return.
A few practical examples of horizontal networking include joining professional organizations or interest groups relevant to your field, attending conferences and seminars related to your line of work, and forming a relationship with someone in the same position who may be able to provide valuable advice.
Staying active on social media by engaging in conversations on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, or specific online discussion forums is a great way to find the right people and expand your horizontal network.
What is Vertical Networking?
Vertical networking is building strategic relationships with those who are either more or less developed in regard to their personal brand. Just like horizontal networking, these relationships should also be mutually beneficial. Because you can vertically network both up and down, let’s take a look at each separately.
Vertically Networking Up
In order to effectively network with academics with a more developed personal brand, it’s important to remember that relationships work both ways and that the process should be less about what you have to gain and more about how you can offer value.
Developing a successful relationship involves researching the person you’re contacting and being genuine in your requests for collaboration. Talk about specific areas you can bring value to their brand, career, or life. Not only will this show them that your networking efforts come from genuine interest, but it will also demonstrate your ability to offer value rather than the desire to ride on their success, satisfying the mutually beneficial aspect of vertical networking.
Recently, I’ve received two messages from people looking to collaborate. The first person sent me tons of examples of their work and shared how awesome they are. I have no doubt they’re great, but they failed to show me how that relationship would benefit anyone but themselves. The second person, a student, said something like this: Hey, Dr. Howard, I really admire your work. I would like to do a paid or unpaid internship with you for credit at my university because I really just want to learn from you. I responded to the student because they have something to offer me in exchange for the knowledge and experience I will offer them.
Vertically Networking Down
To build a strong personal brand, it’s important to consider the power of vertical networking. By helping those below you master the skills you’ve already mastered, you’re able to further cement the knowledge you’ve picked up and grow strong stronger and more nuanced in your expertise.
By collaborating this way, you can help others progress in a field that is meaningful to you both professionally and personally. Everyone has something to offer. Although it takes extra effort for established professionals to engage with less experienced people, doing so can yield powerful returns like useful industry contacts, an improved sense of direction, and a network of forward-thinking innovators who will soon enter their fields as professionals. Tapping into younger generations can offer insights into advances in technology, changes in your audience, or trends that may prove to be beneficial.
Collaboration Opportunities
As you start and develop your horizontal and vertical network, you can begin to take on collaboration opportunities. Collaborations can come in many forms, like guest posting on someone’s blog, cohosting a podcast, or taking on an internship. There are plenty of collaborative opportunities that will deliver benefits for all parties involved.
So when you think about how to collaborate and network, you want to think about it in two terms, horizontally and vertically. And ask yourself what value you bring to the table and what value your potential partner can offer you.
Networking and collaboration are incredibly important components of building a strong and successful personal brand. Building a successful network and finding great collaborations takes time, but it pays off tenfold in terms of growth opportunities for your personal brand.
Both networking strategies take different approaches, but they each have their own merits and should be incorporated into any plan for network growth and success. With the right approach to collaboration and networking, along with plenty of hard work and dedication, you can create a powerful presence that will open yourself up to more resources than you’d ever have if you try to grow on your own.
Recent Comments