Most people get more excited about networking when they understand it as a genuine way to learn and explore their curiosities about a person or field. But many people don’t distinguish between different kinds of networking and when to use them. To be most effective at networking, we identify two approaches to making connections: Outbound & Inbound Networking. Let’s explore how and when to use them. Outbound Networking begins with people you already know and works outward through
contacts and referrals. If you’re interested in a particular company but don’t know anyone who works there you can start by asking people in your network for directions.
“Do you know anyone who works in Publishing?” Taking this outbound networking approach – making connections around you and working your way out – can eventually lead you to someone with knowledge or experience at that company. Use outbound networking to broadly explore opportunities, and find unexpected connections to people and organizations in your extended network. Inbound Networking can be a great place to start since you create mutually beneficial connections
through people you already know. You can also use it to pursue a specific person or topic, but it’s highly random so that process may be slow. If you want to connect with someone well outside of your existing network, it may be more effective to use an Inbound Networking approach. Inbound Networking is reaching directly into a
different network to get to a person or organization more quickly. If it isn’t possible to connect directly, you may need to be creative and reach out to someone else in that network who will take your call. People who have public-facing roles are good candidates and often serve as gatekeepers to other people in the organization. Either way, Inbound Networking can be intimidating, and may require more creativity and cold calls, but it’s a powerful way to connect with specific people and interests. This
approach may create an opportunity for you to meet, and can help you learn and develop a new network. Both Inbound and Outbound Networking start with curiosity to learn more about a particular person, organization, or type of work. Which approach to take depends on your goals and how closely connected you are to the person or organization you hope to reach. So keep both options in mind as you begin networking!
