The Therapist’s Networking Guide: More Than Just A Meeting

This is part of an episodic series, The Therapist’s Networking Guide.
To see the previous post in this series, click here.

On Monday, in the The Therapist’s Networking Guide I talked about the difference between strategic and shotgun networking.  Today, I want to stress that networking includes much more than just showing up at a monthly meeting with your business cards in one hand and your other hand outstretched (asking for business).  If that’s your idea of networking, you may want to re-think your understanding.

Real networking . . .. strategic networking is much more effective when it is about you creating and extending an ever-expanding circle of contacts that may have the ability to refer clients / referrals to you, provide resources to inform you, share ideas to inspire you and information to support you.

Here’s the beginning of a list of the many ways you can begin to build / expand your network:

• Attending meetings and workshops.
• Keep up with what is going on in your field.
• Share your services and skills by volunteering in your community.
• Join a leads or networking group.
• Mentor new professionals.
• Seek out professionals who are interested in building reciprocal referring relationships.
• Gather information about other professionals, clinics, and treatment facilities that can support you now and in the future.
• Offer classes related to your professional interests.
• Refer clients (when appropriate) to allied health professionals.
• Get involved in your civic / religious community.
• Collaborate on projects.
• Join an on line community -  a discussion list, a blog community, or other social media.
• Stay connected to former employers and college instructors.
• Create / join a consultation group.
• Exchange resources with other professionals.
• Serve on committees.
• Meet colleagues for coffee or lunch.

These are just a few of the many ways that you can start to grow your network.  Can you help me expand this list?  What is it that you are doing to create / expand your professional network?  And, what is it that you can commit to start doing today to increase your circle of contacts?

The next post in this episodic series is The Therapist’s Networking Guide:  Are You Helping Your Network Take Care Of You?