Learn how to build professional relationships that don’t just open doors \u2014 but blow them wide open.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n Building strong professional relationships is your secret weapon for marketing success. The right connections can open you up to new ideas, reveal valuable opportunities, and give you the insights you need to solve tough problems.<\/p>\n As Kieran and I discuss in a recent episode of Marketing Against the Grain<\/a>, however, building impactful relationships takes more than just attending networking events and exchanging business cards.<\/p>\n So how do you find the people who can truly elevate your game? And how do you actively add value to grow those relationships?<\/p>\n In this post, we dig into four strategies for improving your professional relationships. Fair warning: these aren\u2019t your typical networking tips.<\/p>\n We\u2019re talking about going deep, leading with value, and mastering the art of communication \u2014 tailored for industry leaders looking to make a real impact.<\/p>\n Kieran and I talk to a lot of people. It\u2019s how we solve problems and learn. But here\u2019s the thing: not all conversations are equal. You\u2019ve got to seek out what we call \u201c10x conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n These conversations are the ones that shift your perspective and thinking entirely, leaving you with insights that alter the way you go about your work \u2014 and even your personal life.<\/p>\n When you find someone like that, don\u2019t just have one conversation and move on. Dive in deep. Have ten more conversations with that person rather than spreading yourself thin with ten different people. The value is in the depth, not the breadth.<\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019re not sure how to find these people, here\u2019s what I do: find a person you think is awesome at what they do \u2014 and then find out who they<\/em> look up to. It\u2019s a bit counterintuitive, but trust me, it works.<\/p>\n The people that everyone else in the industry thinks are the best<\/a>? Figure out how to spend some time with them.<\/p>\n Then, go a step further \u2014 seek out the five people those experts <\/em>think are even better. That\u2019s where you\u2019ll find the real 10x conversations.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you can find these people,\u201d says Kieran, \u201cThey\u2019re going to be absolute game-changers to your ability to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n When it comes to networking<\/a>, Kieran and I both agree that it\u2019s not about how many<\/em> people you meet but how well you get to know the right ones \u2014 and that generally doesn\u2019t happen at big, crowded networking events. Instead, real value comes from smaller, more focused 1:1 settings.<\/p>\n For example, I recently played golf with my friend, Dave Gerhardt. We spent about four hours together, just the two of us, and by the end of it, we\u2019d not only come up with a YouTube show idea, but we\u2019d also tackled a bunch of other challenges that we were both facing.<\/p>\n That kind of focused time lets you dig deeper into topics and really get to know the person. It\u2019s way more valuable than trying to meet dozens of people at once.<\/p>\n So next time you\u2019re thinking about how to connect with someone or expand your network, think less about quantity and more about quality. Set up some one-on-one time \u2014 a dinner, a coffee, a golf game \u2014 and you\u2019ll see the difference it makes.<\/p>\n The more value that you bring to a relationship, the stronger the relationship becomes. It\u2019s that simple. But you need to clearly \u2014 and consistently \u2014 demonstrate that value with every interaction.<\/p>\n For example, when Kieran first started out, he made it a point to jump on every call where he thought he could offer value. \u201cI wasn\u2019t just looking to take; I truly wanted to give where I could,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019d join for 30 minutes, listen, and figure out how I could help.\u201d<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t the most efficient way to build relationships, but over time, it led to deeper, more meaningful connections.<\/p>\n Why? Because building relationships<\/a> isn\u2019t just about being present; it\u2019s about being the person who others can rely on for insight, support, or whatever they might need.<\/p>\n And when you consistently show up with something valuable to offer, you\u2019re not just another contact in someone\u2019s network \u2014 you\u2019re the person they think of first when they need help or advice.<\/p>\n And that\u2019s a key ingredient for building professional relationships that last.<\/p>\n Especially when you\u2019re interacting with high-level execs like investors or founders, it\u2019s not enough to just throw data at them \u2014 you need to tell the story behind the numbers<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sure, executives love their charts and metrics, but they\u2019re often more swayed by anecdotes and real-world examples. That\u2019s where you win their buy-in, build trust, and gain the autonomy you need.<\/p>\n Think of it this way: as a marketing leader, you\u2019ve got both the data and the stories at your disposal. The trick is to use them together. The data gives you credibility, but it\u2019s the stories and anecdotes that make your argument stick.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say you\u2019re pitching a new marketing strategy. Don\u2019t just roll out the potential ROI. Back it up with a customer success story or some feedback that highlights why this strategy is the right move.<\/p>\n Executives are often swayed by what they hear from customers or industry peers, even more so than by what they see on a spreadsheet.<\/p>\n And remember, this tip isn\u2019t only relevant for today. As Kieran points out, \u201cCommunicating qualitative data is a skill set that executives are going to have to hone more in the coming years, as we\u2019re getting less and less direct attribution.\u201d<\/p>\nStrategies for Improving Your Professional Relationships<\/h2>\n
1. Seek out 10x conversations.<\/h3>\n
2. Rethink your networking approach.<\/h3>\n
3. Add value to build trust.<\/h3>\n
4. Brush up on your qualitative communication skills.<\/h3>\n