How to Build a Network: A Guide for Product Managers

How do you build a network as a product manager? More, importantly, why should you bother building one in the first place? 

Networking is a misunderstood term that many interpret as collecting contacts. It’s more than that. The real essence of networking is cultivating professional relationships, helping others, and expanding one’s sphere of influence in a way that’s sincere and genuine.

The Harvard Business Review (HBR) has an interesting post about how to build your network. They contrasted Paul Revere and William Dawes. Both men rode from Boston on April 18, 1775, to warn about the British attack but only Revere’s name became famous. HBR attributed Rever’s prominence to the network he cultivated.

If you know how to build a network correctly, you can develop your skills and stay on top of industry trends. Networking can also help you land your dream PM job and advance your career through new opportunities.

How Product Managers Can Build a Network

So, where and how do you start? We’ve listed down a few tips to help you build a network that’s strong and genuine. But before that, here are a few reminders of what NOT to do:

Be Careful Not to Come on Too Strong, Too Soon

Asking for a recommendation or asking someone to be your mentor only after a few exchanges is coming on too strong, too soon. Prioritize strengthening the new connections you make first.

Don’t Bother People

This is especially true when you are networking online through LinkedIn or other platforms. If you’ve already sent three messages and still have not received a reply, likely, the person you’re trying to connect with doesn’t want to be bothered.

Prioritizing Quantity Over Quality

Another common mistake that many make when networking online is copying and pasting the same message to every new connection. This isn’t good practice as it’s better to make meaningful connections.

Don’t Just Collect Business Cards

It’s not just in the case of business cards. It could be email or Twitter contacts or connections on LinkedIn. Merely collecting names isn’t successful networking at all.

Setting Aside Your Existing Network

As you expand your professional network, don’t forget about your existing one. From friends of friends, former work colleagues, friends from the university, and so on, be sure to still connect with them regularly.

Always go back to the essence of networking. Remember that you are building mutually beneficial relationships so help others and connect with people whenever you can.

Tips to Build a Network as a Product Manager

1. Find Your Niche Online

Your first step is to narrow down your networking opportunities by finding your niche. Don’t just limit yourself to the product management space. The tech industry is vast so ask yourself where you belong in all of the vastness. For example, if you’re an LGBTQ+ tech leader, you might want to check Outintech.com. 

2. Look for Local Communities

Aside from finding your niche online, you should also be doing the same offline. See if you have a local community for tech people or product managers. Check for events within your area or look for small group meetups on social media. Meeting people in real life is a great way to make tangible connections.

3. Network from the Inside

Don’t forget to network within your own company especially if you belong to a larger organization. Connect with leaders online, say hi in the hallway, make introductions, and you can even invite people to lunch.

4. Help First

Knowing how to start a mutually beneficial professional relationship with someone new can be challenging especially if your people skills aren’t well developed yet. Going into a conversation with the aim to help out first is a great solution to this.

How can you help? Sometimes, it’s as easy as listening, then following up a little later if they were able to find a solution to their problem. Help can also be in the form of an introduction, a tip, or a piece of advice.

5. Work on Your Conversational Skills

If communication isn’t your strong suit, you have to find a way to improve it. Strong communication skills lie at the root of all successful product managers and will be one of the keys to your success when you build a network.

6. Use Your Current Network

Your existing network can be very useful. For example, your former and current colleagues at work may be able to introduce you to someone significant in the industry. Using your current network grants you the advantage of an introduction from someone who already knows your skills and professional capabilities.

7. Be Open

It’s good to focus on your goal of connecting with people. However, when you focus on it too much when attending mixers and conferences, you might miss out on other opportunities and conversations. 

For example, if you go to an event with the sole intention of connecting with product people, you could miss the opportunity to discuss ideas with the rest of the professionals from the tech industry.

8. Follow Up with People You’ve Met

Don’t hesitate to follow up with new contacts. If you authentically show an interest in the people you’ve already met, you are building rapport and significantly strengthening the connection that you established.

9. Lead with Value

If you bring value to people, you will be successful in expanding your network as well as your influence. Don’t stop at making connections yourself. Understand your current network’s needs and connect them with people that might be able to help. This is called leading with value.

As you deliver value to both sides, your influence increases. In return, the people you have helped will be more than willing to pay it forward.

Networking can open a lot of doors for you whether you are an aspiring PM or a seasoned tech person who would like to transition to becoming a Product Manager. 

If you would like to be part of a proven community that will help you expand your network as well as help you land your dream PM job, you can join Product Management Exercises.

You can sign up for a PM Interview Course, join the community discussion, or even find mock interview partners to practice with.