Yasmin Shiraz

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase: “Your network is your networth.” If you haven’t, it simply means that whoever it is that you are networked with determines your networth. If you are networked with folks who don’t have a lot of value then your value will automatically be lower. If you are networked with individuals of high value, then you will have greater access to raising your value as well. And if you are not networking period, well, you have a bunch of potential problems on your hands. I’ve had many friends say, “I don’t like networking.” Its one of the most absurd statements for a working person to make. When you say, “I don’t like networking,” what you are really saying is “I don’t want to meet people who may be able to help me down the road.” Who in this world doesn’t believe that they’ll need help at some point in their lives? I’ve begun to step up my networking even more this year and I wanted to share some valuable ways for you to increase your network as well.

1. When attending conferences/workshops get the business cards of everyone you meet and then send them an email when you return to your office. Request to connect with them via facebook and/or linkedin.
2. When attending conferences/workshops look through the conference program and reach out to potential colleagues via facebook and linkedin and let them know that you both recently attended the same conference.
3. If you are using twitter, use the search engine and type in topics that interest you. When people come up, follow those people and introduce yourself. I’ve increased book sales, and press coverage through previously unknown twitter contacts.
4. Write handwritten thank you note to people that you’ve met recently. You’ll stand out since it’s not a formulaic email.
5. Attend networking events just for the sake of meeting people. Your purpose is to increase your network.
6. Set a goal of 5 new people a day.

In 2008, when I decided that I was going to focus on my film career, I didn’t have a lot of personal contacts in the film industry. But I decided to go to networking events, pitchfests, film festivals, acting classes–whatever was out there to introduce myself to my potential colleagues in the film industry. In less than one year and a half, I have over 200 film contacts. Its not a thousand contacts, but again its much more than I had in 2008. Now when I have a issue or I need support, I have people that I can reach out to. And that’s the great thing about networking, you can make it happen for yourself.

You ever feel unpopular when you see a celebrity birthday party and they’re celebrating with 500 of their closest friends? Do you ever ask yourself, “Where are my 500 friends or my 50 friends or my 5 friends?” In American society, we are socialized into thinking that more is better–more money, more stuff, more clothes, more cars, more friends, more, more, more.

We’re never taught to celebrate the 1 good thing you have–the one great car, the one great designer bag, the one really nice apartment, or the one great friend. One is never enough in our society.

For the past 17 months, I feel like I’ve gone through hell and back on so many levels–parental, familial, marital, financial, professional, creative–you name it, I’ve experienced some ridiculous drama in that area over the past year and a half. Whenever one drama ends, drama part 2, part 3, part 45, starts coming through the door. Sometimes I gotta shake my head cause I’m like, “Come on, now. Even I need a break!” But the drama keeps on coming.

This week I was experiencing a period of fog and one of my best friends called me out. He said, “Yas, you never put up with that kind of stuff with anyone before.” I won’t go into all the details of what we discussed but he reminded me of who I was and who I am. I had been in such a fog that I had begun to forget my own essence.

Though it was temporary insanity, I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have that 1 friend who could be real with me and tell me what I needed to hear. His conversation was stronger than smelling salts and it woke me up.

After that faithful conversation, I thought about all the friends that I’ve had in my life–the ones that I’ve gained and the ones that I’ve lost–and I was so thankful for this 1 friend who kept it real with me. I was so thankful for this 1 friend who wasn’t intimidated by my brand or my recognition to tell me that I had gone WAY OFF course.

I was so thankful for this 1 friend who didn’t care about my degrees, or books or lectures and told me what I needed to know so that I could help myself.

It would be great to surround yourself with 50 friends like this, but in the off chance that you just have 1, 1 great friend is good enough.