How can you build an advertising network through your current job?
Building an advertising network through your current job can help you advance your career, find new opportunities, and learn from others in your field. But how do you do it without being pushy, spammy, or annoying? Here are some tips to help you grow your contacts and connections in a natural and authentic way.
Before you start reaching out to potential contacts, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from your advertising network. Are you looking for mentors, collaborators, referrals, clients, or feedback? Having a specific goal will help you tailor your messages, target the right people, and measure your progress.
-
Sundar Ramesh Kumar
IMPACT Top 30 Under 30 | Google Digital Guru Blackbelt | EVP - Paid Media & Analytics
Identify Your Goals Networking Objectives: Clearly define your networking goals, whether it's expanding your client base, connecting with industry experts, or finding mentorship. Strategic Approach: Align your networking efforts with your career aspirations and objectives. Example: If your goal is to explore opportunities in digital advertising, focus on building relationships with colleagues or clients in that field.
You don't have to start from scratch when building your advertising network. You already have access to a pool of potential contacts through your current job, such as your colleagues, managers, clients, suppliers, and industry associations. You can use these relationships to expand your network by asking for introductions, referrals, recommendations, or endorsements.
-
Sundar Ramesh Kumar
IMPACT Top 30 Under 30 | Google Digital Guru Blackbelt | EVP - Paid Media & Analytics
Leverage Your Existing Network Colleagues and Clients: Utilize your current professional relationships to expand your network. Ask for introductions and recommendations. Social Media: Connect with colleagues on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn to stay in touch and discover mutual connections. Example: If a colleague knows a key figure in the advertising industry, ask for an introduction to establish a new contact.
One of the best ways to build trust and rapport with your advertising network is to offer value and support to them. This can include sharing useful resources, insights, or tips, giving feedback or testimonials, promoting their work or achievements, or helping them solve a problem. By providing value and support, you show that you are genuinely interested in them and their success, not just in what they can do for you.
-
Sundar Ramesh Kumar
IMPACT Top 30 Under 30 | Google Digital Guru Blackbelt | EVP - Paid Media & Analytics
Provide Value and Support Offer Expertise: Share your knowledge and insights with others in your network. Provide solutions to challenges or answer questions related to advertising. Mentorship: Be open to mentoring others, as this can lead to valuable connections and opportunities. Example: By offering advice on a marketing strategy, you can showcase your expertise and build trust within your network.
Building an advertising network is not a one-time event, but a long-term process that requires consistency and follow-up. You need to stay in touch with your contacts regularly, but not too frequently, to maintain and strengthen your relationships. You can do this by sending personalized messages, commenting on their posts, inviting them to events, or sending relevant updates. You also need to follow up on any promises, requests, or opportunities that arise from your interactions.
-
Sundar Ramesh Kumar
IMPACT Top 30 Under 30 | Google Digital Guru Blackbelt | EVP - Paid Media & Analytics
Be Consistent and Follow Up Regular Engagement: Stay engaged with your network by attending industry events, webinars, and conferences. Follow-Up: After initial interactions, maintain contact by sending follow-up emails or scheduling occasional catch-up calls. Example: Following up with a contact you met at a conference can solidify the connection and lead to potential collaborations.
Another way to build your advertising network is to showcase your expertise and personality to attract and engage your contacts. You can do this by creating and sharing valuable content, such as blog posts, podcasts, videos, or case studies, that demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and experience in advertising. You can also use your content to express your opinions, values, and passions, and invite feedback and discussion from your audience.
Finally, building an advertising network requires you to be open and curious about your contacts and their needs, interests, and goals. You can do this by asking open-ended questions, listening actively, and showing empathy and appreciation. You can also seek to learn from your contacts by asking for advice, feedback, or recommendations. By being open and curious, you can build rapport, trust, and mutual respect with your advertising network.
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
AdvertisingHow can you leverage a sponsor to advance your advertising career?
-
AdvertisingHere's how you can nurture professional relationships and follow up with contacts in advertising.
-
AdvertisingHere's how you can navigate a competitive advertising job market with resilience.
-
AdvertisingHow can you effectively follow up after meeting someone at an industry event in Advertising?