The Power of Networking: How Networking the Easy Way Catapulted My Career and Business

You've probably heard phrases like "It's all about your network", "You need to spend more time networking", and/or "Your network is critical during these hard times". All of these are true. Yet, it's hard to define what networking actually is and how to go about doing it.

Sure, you could go to a ton of events and talk to anyone and everyone, but that's not very strategic. Nor is it a comfortable process for many of us. While there are definitely some events I like to attend, my version of networking is more focused on forming trusting relationships with the people I work with. I strive to provide value above and beyond just developing documents and always aim to be seen as "easy to work with".

It's worked for me. I am regularly referred by former clients, and employees who leave my client companies often reach out a few months later asking me to support them at their new company. Since people in this industry move around so frequently, I have now worked with certain individuals at 3+ companies!

I thought it would be interesting to map out all of my current (purple) and former (blue) employers and clients to illustrate how my network has helped me grow my business.

Employer 1 was my first ever job after a short post-doc. I stayed there for over 2 years, then moved on to Employer 2. I stayed with Employer 2 for just under a year. Despite not being with Employer 2 for long, that experience and the relationships I made helped launch my career. Through Employer 2, I got my first client as a new freelance writer. This client had a ton of work, so I went straight from employee life to working as a contract medical writer for a single client close to full-time.

I started working with Client 1 back in 2016. I still work with Client 1 today and have earned roughly $1 million from them over the past 9 years. I have met a TON of people through Client 1, and you can see how most of my subsequent clients came from relationships built at Client 1.

In the past 9 years since starting my business, I have never had to worry about where my next paycheck is coming from. I have always had work when I need it.

This is an ideal scenario for a freelance medical writer. Not only do I not spend much time/money marketing, but I have a fairly consistent income month by month and year by year. Most of my clients are also long-term and not just for individual projects, so I become familiar with the company's processes, products, and with team members - further growing my network. And this isn't a superficial network, but people who know me and can vouch for my work. This is the type of network that can influence your professional/career trajectory.

So, how do you build this type of network?

1. Do good work and add value. Give 100% to your work. This doesn't mean working around the clock or letting an employer/client take advantage of you. It means putting 100% of your expertise and effort in during the time you are supporting a project.

2. Be nice. I could word this concept in so many ways, but really it just comes down to being nice. No one wants to work with a jerk.

3. Be flexible. Companies have different processes and priorities. Timelines shift. Things happen. Being flexible makes you easy to work with.

That's really all it boils down to. Going to networking events is great, but actually forming working relationships with mutual respect is even better. A smaller network of individuals who know you, trust you, and can vouch for your work will do more for your career than a huge following on LinkedIn or other platforms.