It’s Who You Know (Network Without Networking)

Networking as a verb feels like one of those concepts that needs to go to the Rest category, right next to thinking outside the box and reinventing the wheel. The thing is, Networking works. As a shy and insecure radio person (maybe you know a few?) I’ve always hated the concept. I want my talent and efforts to speak for themselves. I recently realized I’m actually good at the whole Networking thing, even though I never set out to be! Maybe you’ll find something here useful: how to Network without trying.

I can trace all of my biggest career wins to other people in my “network.” Not a single accomplishment of mine belongs solely to me; God orchestrated countless meaningful relationships. When I look at our team here at JOY FM/BOOST Radio in St. Louis, most of them are here in part because of their connections. Take those relationships out of the equation, and we might have never known about the talents they’re blessed with.

If Networking as a verb is as icky or dated to you as it is to me, replace it with “make like-minded friends.” That’s what I’ve been doing since before getting paid to do radio for a living. (#blessed) I eat/sleep/live/breathe/bleed radio, sometimes to a fault. But that passion has served me well when it comes to making like-minded friends. It’s an instant “me too!” thing.

The difference between Networking and making like-minded friends is that Networking implies you’re hoping to benefit from the relationship at some point. You don’t have any genuine friendships like that though, right? If you’re extroverted or maybe even an ambivert, I probably don’t need to teach you how to make friends. But for the rest of us, you might be able to adapt what’s worked for me for the past couple decades.

1. Start online. Facebook. Tik Tok. LinkedIn. Instagram. Whichever one(s) you naturally spend time on. Follow radio people who you find interesting or you feel like you vibe with. If and when they post something you find meaningful, say so. Boom! That’s a connection. Maybe you don’t become instant BFF’s, but it could be the start of a friendship that grows over time. (Join industry Facebook groups, email forums, etc. too.)
2. Eavesdrop. Ehhh…that might be too creepy of a way to put it. Let’s call this “be aware of your surroundings” when you’re at industry gatherings. As in, keep your ears perked up for conversations about things you find interesting. (Career stuff. Not somebody’s private convo about who’s cheating on who. Save that for show prep.). If it’s a discussion on a radio topic you care about, you probably have something to add. Or at the very least, slide over and just listen. Nobody worth being friends with will find it weird if you say “I’m here to listen; this stuff is interesting to me.”
3. Serve. You might already know that serving at church, in your community, at your kid(s) school, etc. is a great way to meet people. Same goes “in the biz.” (For example, if you attend CMB’s Momentum events, look for volunteer opportunities.)
4. Be a fan of/student of your peers. This is how I got started down the “Network without Networking” path. I listen to a variety of radio stations, and when I hear something done well, I shoot a quick note to offer props. Or maybe to ask how they cooked up what I heard (we’re never done learning). Not because I want to be on their radar, but genuinely because I wanted to encourage or learn.
5. Read & respond. Wash/rinse/repeat the approach from above, but apply it to industry websites (like AllAccess), consultant blogs, public pages, private career-oriented groups, etc.
6. Be available. Chances are, somebody out there finds something about you interesting. If they hit you up, respond. You don’t have to invite them over to your next Mahjong game, but at least give them a quick meaningful reply. (You might be amazed at how many don’t.)

There may come a day when making like-minded friends is helpful for your career…the whole Networking angle. But if not, life is richer when we do it together. It’s true even for introverts like me. Making like-minded friends is a form of loving your neighbors like Jesus loves you. Good luck, and don’t be shy if you and I are ever in the same place. I may come off socially awkward, but inside I’m hyped up that we got to not-Network.