Building Your Circle of Influence: Why it MUST grow

Sometimes my inspiration comes from simple places. Last week I taught a seminar in SF. The number one thing the participants wanted to know about was how to network to build more influence. I love teaching influence strategies. Today I opened Trust Agents but Chris Brogan and read: “be sure to find ways to facilitate important meetings with new unknowns, because once you’ve cut yourself off from developing new contacts, your value to the network diminishes significantly. You must remain present to remain relevant.”

This audio shares my thoughts I hope you will take a listen...

What are you doing, in your networking, to remain present and relevant? How are you keeping QUALITY the goal while growing?


Ann Evanston, MA, has been named by About.com as one of the Top Six Marketing Consultants, Feb 2011, and recognized in the Huffington Post for her unique approach in using Facebook to increase profits though giving. In October 2008 Ann created the Social Networking Coaching Club, a forum where you get personalized support to learn how to “discover your REAL edge” and make more online in less time with integrity.


  • http://louiseedington.com Louise Edington

    I’m doing what I always do with regard to this – following your lead :) I have never spoken to so many people that I haven’t met in person, it’s fun.
    Louise Edington
    Facing Fears For Freedom
    http://louiseedington.com

  • MarieS Knutson

    Definitely good advise. Especially in this uncertain job market. You never know when that circle will connect you with new business or a new job offer.

  • Rita Hovakimian

    Brilliant! Thank you for these powerful tips. I have been taking a lot more action in expanding my influence by doing joint ventures. It is so much fun, I feel I am expanding my reach and making a difference to more people and it is lucrative!
    Rita Hovakimian

  • Rita Hovakimian

    Brilliant! Thank you for these powerful tips. I have been taking a lot more action in expanding my influence by doing joint ventures. It is so much fun, I feel I am expanding my reach and making a difference to more people and it is lucrative!
    Rita Hovakimian

  • Louise Goeckel

    Well done, Ann, pertinent info, succinct, your advice comes from a place of knowing…two thumbs up. I would have appreciated a bit louder volume, if that is a technical option…

    Great book quote…as a self-employed career consultant I realized that my taking a part time job as an employee a year ago in an niche that relates closely to my consulting work added much value to my awareness of current workplace issues…I am IN IT so I am more relevant.
    Louise Goeckel

  • http://home-decorating-makeovers.com/ Jennifer Duchene

    The audio and the message you deliver is really powerful. An effective way of connecting, through active engagement. Love how you live your meaning. And the ten minute to ten is an efficient and fabulous tip.

  • http://www.davesaunders.net/blog Dave Saunders

    I've been visiting business incubators and startups for brown bag lunch and discussions. I come with a topic, but instead of presenting, I have conversations with the people attending and help them brainstorm through their challenges. The practice is very energizing for me and I end up taking notes for my own projects.

  • Tracy Cota

    Last week I received a referral from a woman I met at a networking event a year and a half ago. The referral didn't materialize, but I was struck by how amazing that was. We had connected, had stayed in touch and she thought of me when she knew someone who might need my help. It has definitely brought to the surface the fact that I need to continue to nurture relationships. It is hard to know how many opportunities have been lost by not keeping connections nurtured.

  • Senderofcards

    Ann, Goes right along with what my weekly networking group talks about recently, so I forwarded them your link. Great stuff!

  • Scott Edington

    Hay Ann, great post! I like to think that I'm always looking for new contacts who can be of use to me or I can be of use to them, but I've never really thought of it this way before. Like your example I don't have much time for networking face to face, but I try my best to email or message people online with an introduction and have a chat about what I can offer them or what they can offer me. Hopefully it works and they know I'm then somebody they can go to if they need something!

    Thanks Ann!

  • http://www.bexsi.com Doug Crowe

    Great post! Reminds me of what I learned from Bob Burg about influencers, finding the hub of the wheel and BEING the hub of the wheel.

    Most people network all wrong, promoting themselves and their solutions. Building trust and creating influence only comes from serving others first.

    Doug Crowe
    http://www.bexsi.com

  • blissconnection

    I created my new Sassy Networking events. I am always trying to find ways to grow my circle and meet NEW women while continuing to nurture my current circle. It's a challenge, but the pay off is HUGE.

    Great topic, Ann. Very relevant for me right now. My business depends on both my current friends and fans and NEW friends and fans.

  • Mandy

    I loved this, Ann. And you voice on audio is BEAUTIFUL and so motivational.

    Reaching out to people is something I love doing! I wish I would have more time to do it, but I love the idea of practicing and making a point of doing it.

  • http://www.mywealthspa.com Darcie Newton

    I love that you don't believe in 'big, fast, growth' of your network. I've tried that and it doesn't work. I agree that building a network takes constant attention. I like your idea of reaching out to 10 new people a month. How do you manage your network as it grows? Do you use lists on Facebook? Twitter?

  • http://www.billbrowning.com Bill Browning

    A couple of cliches jump to mind: “You only coast downhill” and “What you don't use, you lose.” The value you create for your network like a garden requires constant nurturing.

    Allegory, cliches maybe this is non-creative Friday, but your audio pointed out to me an area that needs tending.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/GVRLJYBXZDUH5GZ66C4YAXPG5I CAROLYN

    Wow, excellent point. Never would have thought of that. Thank you for sharing your insight and expertise, Ann! Interesting how remaining present came up from Chris. Remaining present allows us to do what is in front of us to do at each moment. It requires awareness and practice.

  • Donna McCord

    Ann, I am always so impressed and almost in awe of your abilities to communicate and the ways that you do it. I love to get to know people and to help whenever I can,but have not been the best at reaching out and connecting in the ways you describe. I do prefer the idea of meeting with people one on one and talking on the phone over email and Facebook and Twitter or other online media, maybe because of my age! I agree with you that to remember someone, you need to have that personal connection, and quite honestly I think that is missing in the world today to a large degree.

  • http://www.myshoppinggenie.com/pstd Lisa Ann Landry

    My performance in this area needs improvement! Something that I currently doing well is frequently giving something of quality (an idea, reference, resource, affirmation, etc) in my connections. Just as I've developed a plan for instance of 10 tweets a day I it seems I should also have a plan for building stronger relationship with the people I'm connecting with in social media (what a great idea).

    I certainly see the benefits of sharing information. This week for the first time I posted my speaking locations & topics I'm doing for the week on FB & was surprised at all of the interest. I'm also finding by posting 10 tweets a day I get 3 to 5 followers everyday and that wasn't happening when I tweeted every now and again. This sure has driven home the point “You must remain present to remain relevant.”

    Lisa Ann Landry – Corporate Trainer – Unleashing the Genie!

  • http://www.atticusuncensored.com Heidi Alberti & Atticus

    First of all, love the idea of an audio blog. Wow, audio video, the written word—blogs can do it all!
    The passage you read from the book, “remain present to remain relevant” is really powerful. I was the master networker when I was an executive recruiter; in that business, who you know, is everything. Now that I've ditched the corporate career, for an artistic one, I feel like a fish out of water… my old business contacts are no longer relevant, and I am starting fresh. It's intimidating, and a lot to learn. But, I must say, your tutorials Ann, have been immensely helpful. Thank you for sharing your tidbits of wisdom :)

  • http://www.ourlittlebooks.com Candace C. Davenport

    Interesting hearing you without seeing you! But it worked well.

    I think the best thing I took a way from that was your comment about connecting so you remember them. People can network and gather a billion cards, but if there is no 'connection' you won't ever be remembered (or remember them). Connection is such an important part of networking. Thanks.

    Candace C. Davenport
    http://www.ourlittlebooks.com

  • http://www.brucebarone.com Bruce Barone

    Since I work mostly at home, I reach out every day to people online: Twitter, Facebook, Blogs–I comment and I ask to be a friend. I also try to update my own site every day with inspiring content.

  • http://www.bourncreative.com JenniferBourn

    I love this – “You must remain present to remain relevant.” It is such a powerful statement. Staying the the conversation with new people is not only important to grow your own business, but it is hugely important to learn and grow personally as well. Connecting with others and building relationships is the most valuable part of your business. Being a resource of connections is just as important as being a resource of knowledge.

    It's like Warren Buffet says … Take my business, take all my money, take everything I have, but leave me my customer list and I'll prevail stronger than ever before.

  • http://louiseedington.wordpress.com Louise Edington

    I am slowly working on this. Until recently I had really only used my mum groups in my local area to network for business but now I see that I can reach way further than this (thanks to your bootcamp). I am expanding my circle of friend online through FB, twitter, LI and through blogging and I've finally taken the plunge and joined a local women's networking group (first lunch later this month) and I'm going to my first conference in LA in Sept!!! So far I've been way better online but am slowly but surely branching out. I'll try to remember your calling idea for later – right now I'd rather keep building the way I'm doing now.

    I do LOVE to help people (sometimes a little too much – ahem) and I have already hooked a couple of people up with regards to their book signing tour and their cleaning business (or at least I introduced them and left them to it from there :) . In return I have had one offer to spread refer me to families who may be interested in hosting an AuPair even though they themselves are not interested. And that's how I'm hoping it will build – you give and then you receive.