The Network Advantage
Week 6 Challenge
Your Networking Machine: How to Build Relationships on Autopilot
A consultant I know—let's call her Sarah—used to hustle hard for every new client.
She networked constantly: events, LinkedIn, co ee meetings—you name it. But
every month, it felt like she was starting from scratch.
No inbound referrals. No consistent pipeline. Just constant e ort.
Then, she built a networking system—a repeatable process that kept relationships
warm and opportunities owing. Within six months, she stopped chasing clients.
They started coming to her.
That’s the goal. Not just to meet people, but to turn networking into an asset that
compounds over time.
Let’s build your networking machine.
Why Most People Never Leverage Their Network Properly
🔴 They treat networking as a one-time thing. (Meet, chat, move on—then forget
to follow up.)
🔴 They don’t stay top-of-mind. (Out of sight = out of opportunities.)
🔴 They rely on luck instead of a system. (Hope is not a strategy.)
Judy Robinett (How to Be a Power Connector) says:
👉 “Your network is a living organism. If you don’t nurture it, it dies.”
Let’s make sure yours thrives.
Step 1: Categorize Your Dream 100
🔹 The Move: Organize Your Dream 100 for Maximum Impact (Inspired by Chet
Holmes)
✅ Clients – Prospects or current clients you want to deepen relationships with.
✅ Key Connectors – In uential people who can introduce you to the right
opportunities.
✅ Inner Circle – Trusted mentors, advisors, and peers who support your growth.
💡 Pro Tip: Use a simple CRM (like HubSpot, Airtable, or even a Google Sheet) to
track touchpoints:
✔ Who did you last connect with?
✔ When’s the next touchpoint?
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✔ What value can you add?
🔍 First Step: Identify your Dream 100 list. Research their work, understand their
needs, and note how you can help them.
🎯 Action Step: Reach out to ve people from your Dream 100 list this week with a
meaningful introduction or value-driven insight.
Step 2: The 3-Touch Follow-Up Loop (So You Never Go Cold)
🔹 The Move: Rotate Between These Three Touches (Inspired by Karen Wickre,
Taking the Work Out of Networking)
1⃣ Insight Touch (Send Value) – Share an article, podcast, tool, or book that helps
them.
2⃣ Introduction Touch (Make a Connection) – “You two should meet…”
3⃣ Engagement Touch (Be Present) – Comment on their post, reply to a story,
check in.
💡 Pro Tip: Rotate these touches every 30-45 days so you stay top of mind—
without being annoying.
This isn’t random checking in. This is being relevant and valuable over time.
🚀 First Step: Create a follow-up schedule based on the 3-touch loop.
🚀 Action Step: This week, send an Insight Touch to ve people from your Dream
100 list.
Step 3: Follow Up The Right Way
🔹 The Move: The 3-Part Follow-Up System
✅ Stage 1: Immediate Connection (Within 24 Hours)
Send a personalized follow-up referencing your conversation. Example:
Hi [Name], Really enjoyed our conversation about [speci c topic] at [event]. Your
insight on [key takeaway] really stuck with me.
I found this [article/book/resource] on [topic] and thought you might nd it useful.
Let’s stay in touch!
– [Your Name]
✅ Stage 2: One-Week Nurture (7 Days Later)
Now, show up again—without asking for anything.
🔹 Options:
✔ Engage with their content on LinkedIn (comment, not just like).
✔ Introduce them to someone relevant.
✔ Send a quick check-in: “Hey, saw this and thought of you.”
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✅ Stage 3: Relationship Builder (30 Days Later)
By now, you’ve already followed up twice. Time to take it deeper.
🔹 The Move: Invite them to something.
✔ A virtual co ee (low-pressure, high-value).
✔ A webinar or event (no direct ask, just an opportunity).
✔ A small curated group chat (a good way to deepen relationships).
🚀 First Step: Identify ve key relationships from your Dream 100 list that need a
follow-up.
🚀 Action Step: Send a Stage 1 follow-up to one of them today.
Step 4: Make Asking for Referrals E ortless
🔹 The Move: Teach People How to Refer You (Inspired by David A. Fields)
Most people never refer business because they don’t actually know what you do—
or who to send your way.
🚀 1-Sentence Referral Formula:
“I help [speci c type of client] solve [speci c problem] by [speci c result].”
💡 Pro Tip: Teach your best referrers exactly who to send your way. “If you meet a
consultant struggling with lead ow, introduce us.”
🚀 First Step: Clarify your referral message.
🚀 Action Step: Share your re ned referral message with three key contacts this
week.
Step 5: The 90-Day Network Audit
Every 90 days, audit your networking machine: ✔ Who are the 5-10 people driving
the most business for you?
✔ Who have you lost touch with that you should reconnect with?
✔ Which networking strategies are bringing real ROI—and which need to go?
💡 Pro Tip: Networking should feel like a compounding investment, not a treadmill.
If it’s draining you, your system is wrong. Fix it.
🚀 First Step: Review your Dream 100 list and analyze engagement patterns.
🚀 Action Step: Reconnect with three high-value contacts you’ve lost touch with.
Mini-Mission: Activate Your Network
🚀 First Step: 1⃣ Build your Dream 100 List. (Who are your key people?)
2⃣ Map out your 3-Touch Follow-Up Loop.
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3⃣ Re ne your referral message.
🚀 Action Step: 1⃣ Reach out to ve Dream 100 contacts this week.
2⃣ Send a follow-up using the 3-touch loop.
3⃣ Host a small networking event within the next 30 days.
Most consultants network reactively.
The best ones? They build a system—so relationships, referrals, and opportunities
ow to them on autopilot.
This isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of your networking machine.
Go build it. And when the opportunities start rolling in? Let me know. I’d love to
hear about it.
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