You're looking to build a professional network in Patient Advocacy. What's the first step?

1 Identify your purpose

Before you reach out to potential contacts, you need to have a clear idea of why you want to network and what you hope to gain from it. Do you want to learn from experts, find mentors, explore new fields, or collaborate on projects? Having a specific purpose will help you target your networking efforts and communicate your value proposition to others.

3 Prepare your introduction

The first impression you make on your network is crucial, so you need to prepare a concise and compelling introduction that showcases who you are, what you do, and what you offer. You can use the elevator pitch format, which is a short statement that summarizes your background, skills, goals, and value proposition in a few sentences. You can also customize your introduction depending on the context and the audience, and include a call to action or a question to spark a conversation.

4 Reach out and follow up

Now that you have your purpose, options, and introduction ready, you can start reaching out to your network. You can use various methods, such as email, phone, social media, or face-to-face meetings, depending on the situation and the preference of your contacts. When you reach out, be respectful, polite, and professional, and explain why you want to connect and what you can offer. You can also ask for referrals or introductions from people you already know. After you make a connection, don't forget to follow up and maintain the relationship. You can do this by sending a thank-you note, sharing useful information, providing feedback, asking for advice, or offering your help.