Online networking is kind of 😬

How to take advantage of online networking opportunities.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Issue #36 | May 2, 2023 Hey, it’s Pat! 👋 In October of 2020, I published [a reel on Instagram]( that became my most viewed video at the time. It was a funny take on the state of networking, which during the pandemic was obviously very different for everyone. In the first part of the video, I’m in a suit with a name tag waving hi to people walking by. In the second part, I’m awkwardly typing a message into a Zoom chat, trying to make a connection with someone. The reason the video went semi-viral is because it was super relatable. Not just the being stuck at home with no conferences to go to and meet people at part, but because networking at home on your computer is just, well, weird. But not impossible, and still well worth pursuing. In this email, I’ll share a few things I’ve learned about networking online that may help you. I know we’re starting to meet people in real-life again and conferences are back, but the truth is there’s so much benefit to online networking. I don’t want you to miss out on incredibly easy opportunities to connect online and potentially meet people who can impact your business and your life. Plus, I’m going to give you the easiest way to connect with like-minded people for free. QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I’ve learned that a strong network is the ultimate shortcut to everything you want to achieve!” – Melitta Campbell THE STORY There is zero probability that I would be where I am today — in business and in life — without the people I’ve been able to surround myself with. After I got let go from my job in 2008, my one and only network was the other forum members and listeners of Internet Business Mastery, my favorite podcast at the time. I’m still friends with some of these people today, and I’m even in a mastermind group with one of them that has met weekly for over a decade now! (Hi Mark!) From 2010-2015, I added other podcasters and speakers to my circles. This is what helped surface my podcast to the masses, and also what got me on stages that I would have never been able to get on otherwise. From 2015 and on, I began to make connections to other CEOs who were creating amazing things, like Nathan Barry from ConvertKit. Without networking and connecting with Nathan, I would have never become an advisor to his company. There’s also Matt Gartland, who after years of building a relationship together has become the CEO of SPI Media, and today we partner on several advisory projects too. Networking has changed my life, but it was so much harder back then. There were fewer opportunities to meet and “connecting on Zoom” was just not a thing back then. For me personally, I had such low confidence and self-esteem, putting myself out there was like pulling teeth at times. That last bit can be a tough one. Even today with several opportunities in front of us, those thoughts can stop us from even trying. Here are a few tips I can offer you for networking, especially online: First off, when I’m nervous about meeting new people, I also have to realize that other people are just as nervous, too. If you’re on Zoom and networking more formally, perhaps in a breakout room, it’s just as awkward for others as it is for you. Second — and this happens every time — as soon as I start talking, or I start listening to someone talk, all of the fear goes away, instantly. I try to look forward to what I can learn about someone, or how I can help them, rather than how I might look or what a person is going to think about me. Third, “no fail questions” are great to start with. These are questions that you can ask the person (or people) on the other end that have no wrong answers, such as: - Hey, where’s a place you might recommend I travel one day? - What shows are you watching right now? - If you had a free day, what would you spend it doing? Yes, they’re sort of icebreaker questions, but that’s the point. Plus, any of the answers can reveal something interesting that you can connect on and begin forming those relationships much faster! And finally — and this helps most of all — try to find communities that you know have attracted the right kind of people. I like to think that we do a great job of attracting the right kind of people to our communities at SPI. This is why our online communities have such low churn rates and why, since we shifted our focus to communities, the results from our students have astronomically improved. Because it’s not just about me or all of us on team SPI, it’s about everyone here who is going through the same things, together. YOUR CALL TO ACTION I’d love to ask you to join us in our upcoming networking event. It’s free, there’s no obligation, and it’s a person place to just show up, be yourself, and see that you have a lot to offer, and others do too. We have a networking event coming up on May 10th at 11am PT. Here’s how it works… - ​[Sign -up here]() to add the Zoom link to your calendar. (Be sure to sign up in advance because space is limited!) - Click the link at 11 am PT on May 10th. - Get ready for an impactful hour with like-minded entrepreneurs. Connect with members of the SPI Pro community and the SPI team to get to know each other, learn about other entrepreneurs' businesses, share your journey, and make new connections. SPONSORED BY CONVERTKIT Grow your audience and your income will follow. One of the best ways to increase your income as a creator is to grow your email audience. ConvertKit is here to help. Join the #GrowYourAudience Challenge with ConvertKit and learn the strategies it takes to increase your engagement and get more subscribers. ConvertKit will send you 30 days of tips and tools to help you start building your list. Start the Grow Your Audience Challenge today! [START THE CHALLENGE]( SPI NEWS AND EVENTS We work hard at SPI to remain unstuck and consistently provide you with the best ways to support your business. Check it out: The Two Teachers That Became Millionaires If you’re looking for a powerful dose of inspiration, Shane and Jocelyn Sams from Flipped Lifestyle are [back on the podcast]()! Their previous appearance is still the most downloaded episode of the Smart Passive Income podcast, and this time we’re going even deeper into their story, online communities, live events, public speaking, and much more. A Simple 6-Step Goal-Setting Process to Up-Level Your Life Setting new goals or reevaluating initiatives in progress doesn’t have to wait until the new year. [Check out this guide](=) on designing holistic goals that take the bigger picture into account and help you avoid burnout. Skyrocket Your Growth as an Entrepreneur Community is at the heart of everything we do at SPI, and we believe it’s absolutely essential. Starting your own business, side hustle, or creative project is exciting and fulfilling but can also be challenging and isolating. We’re here to support your entrepreneurial growth and connect you with other like-minded professionals. No matter where you are in your journey, [SPI has a community for you.](​ DAD JOKE OF THE WEEK How does a tree get on the Internet? It logs on. Did a cool person forward you this email? [Sign up here for free](. Want to reach over 125,000 entrepreneurs? [Become a sponsor](. [Link to SPI's Website](=) [Link to SPI's Twitter Account]( [Link to SPI's LinkedIn Account]( [Link to Pat Flynn's YouTube Account]() You are receiving this because you signed up for Pat Flynn’s newsletter at [smartpassiveincome.com](=). If you'd like to adjust which emails you receive or update your name and email address, click here: . If you'd like to stop receiving all emails from SPI, click here: . No hard feelings. 10531 4S Commons Drive, Suite 524, San Diego, CA 92127