Let’s sum up what we’ve covered so far.

• The Rule of 250 and MegaNetworkers is about how many people someone knows. 
• The 6 Degrees of Separation is about how everyone is potentially connected. 
• The 80/20 Rule tells us that we can get better results if we focus on just a portion of the people. 

• About quality, not quantity.
• About following up and keeping in touch.
• And about maintaining visibility.

First, you meet people. 

Who can you meet?

• Those appearing in the press (profiles, job promotions): (send them a congratulations card -- they'll remember you!)
• Writers and reporters (send them a note or e-mail if you enjoyed their article -- very few people do this!)  
• Community and organizational leaders and members (be bold -- they're people, too!)

1. Face-to-face:

• Organizations (work, Toastmasters, American Red Cross, Rotary, Sierra Club, chambers of commerce, other nonprofit or volunteer organizations)
• Communities (church, temple, sports, geographic, same-interest)
• Family 
• Meetings 
• Conferences 
• Seminars
• Other events
• Any place (elevator, stores, restaurants, sidewalks, cafes)

• Online
• E-mail
• Writing
• Chat rooms
• Phone

Next, you follow up and keep in touch. 

• Write cards (to people profiled in the press)
• Send e-mail (another interaction)
• Call (during Thanksgiving Week, I call people to thank them for their help during the year)
• Send relevant info and links (help be part of someone's intelligence network)  
• Join organizations and serve (Toastmasters, Rotary, trade organizations)  
• Speak (informally or formally. Toastmasters: speak at other clubs and meet more people instantly!) 
• Meet (how about coffee,tea, or lunch? Another interaction) 
• Offer help or expertise AND say YES to requests for help
• Submit articles or writing to publications (journals, magazines, newspapers, and newsletters) 
• Use e-mail signatures with deeper info (here's what I use to promote myself):

• Develop a personal web page (put the link to it in your e-mail signature)
• Write e-zines. (Here's a marketing example.)
• Write personal press releases. (Here's an example.)
• Develop a media list (one source is Burrelle’s Media Directory). Look for it at your main library.
• Give gifts (Try donuts or bagels to people in another department or division at work).

Next, Develop strong interpersonal skills.

• Introduce yourself to new people. How? Be confident. Be prepared with a short statement when they ask you what you do.
• Introduce others to those you know. If you're going to benefit from people connecting you to others, you also have to do the same.
• Have conversations. Find out what they do (Use the 80/20 Rule here: spend 80% asking them questions and listening to their answers.)

Next,  Develop a distinctive style, a signature, a trademark.

• How you dress. If you're going to appeal to the MegaNetworkers crowd, the Hip-Hop-baggy-pants-at-the-knees look might not help you.
• How you speak. Does your speech reflect your confidence?
• How you present yourself. Are you confident? Direct? Positive?
• How you offer to help or lead or guide. Do you wait until asked? Do people instantly see you as someone they can rely on? Or as a dead weight and never a contributor?

Work Situation

When I first arrived in the Bay Area, I took a clerical job doing data entry at a nonprofit to have some money coming in. I found the job through my brother (networking through family), whose friend was the Director of Finance. To liven things up, I brought in two dozen doughnuts (gifts) once a week (increased interactions, meet people face-to-face) and passed them out (including those in other departments). I got to know coworkers' preferences and tailored my purchases with their palates in mind (get to know them). I gained great visibility through this, especially when I consistently offered the Executive Director (focus on MegaNetworkers) first choice. She liked the chocolate doughnuts. As people got used to that, I planned something even more fun. Working through the receptionist for anonymity, I ordered two pizzas to be delivered at noon to the lunchroom. The pizzas showed up, people ate, while wondering where they came from. The Executive Director quizzed the receptionist, who reported to her. Having to tell the truth, she found out I was the culprit. And remembered me for what I did (increased visibility).

Separately, about 100 employees attended a training where groups sat together at tables and had to report their findings to the entire body. My table picked me to report (say yes to requests for help), as everyone else was scared. (I was, too!) My Toastmasters experience came through and many managers complimented me on my presentation (increased visibility). That led to being asked to address a gathering before all employees and community leaders, numbering in the hundreds (even more visibility through increased interactions).

I simply gave gifts, thereby increasing my visibility, while saying YES to the opportunity to serve (by speaking) when it arrived.

Toastmasters

I joined Toastmasters (meet people face-to-face through organizations) in August 1999. One month after I joined (9/99), the Sergeant-at-Arms asked me to fill in for him for a month. I said yes (to the request for help), and never saw him again. One month after that (10/99), the Vice President Education asked me to cover for her. I said yes (to the request for help), and hardly saw her again. Because I stepped up to these roles, I became very visible, both opening and closing the meetings, and became known for my ability to boost the energy of a group (develop a style). One month later (11/99), I was asked to be the next president. I said yes (offer to help), and fortunately frequently saw those who asked me. Because of my diligence in this new role, 3 months into my president's duties (2/2000), I was asked to be the next division governor for San Francisco, overseeing 700 members in 25 clubs. I said yes (to the request for help = opportunity), and began as the acting Division Governor, since the current division governor was moving to Southern California. I increased my visibility by giving energetic reports (develop a style) at the monthly meetings, and developed an e-zine which I sent out worldwide to International Directors and District Governors (focus on the MegaNetworkers). My division consistently had the highest membership growth (which I mentioned in my e-mail signature). Nine months into my duties (3/2001), I was asked to be the next Lt. Governor of Marketing, overseeing membership growth of 3500 members in 180 clubs. I said yes (to the request for help = opportunity) but had to decline later due to health considerations.

In short, from new member to being asked to oversee 180 clubs in 18 months. The secret: I said YES each time (to requests for help).