How to Network Effectively: Building a CRM Database for Connections

FAQ Section: How to Network Effectively

What Is Networking?

Networking includes meeting new people, exchanging contacts, and developing new relationships. Although business owners typically associate the term with professionalism, you can make long-term friendships, too. 🤝 

Why Is Networking Important?

As a professional, networking is valuable for expanding career opportunities and interacting with experts in new industries. You can also learn how to improve your skill set for the future. In addition, networking allows you to bond with others and have a sense of belonging.   

Can You Improve Your Networking Skills?

If you’re searching “how to network effectively” on Google, chances are keeping in touch with contacts is a struggle. And that’s okay! 

You can develop habits and systems to support this behavior. (We’ll discuss the process component in our CRM tutorial below. 👀)

However, here are 4 simple tips to start building your network: 

• • Consider what industry and expertise you want to learn from.
  • Create a list of people in your desired fields and find their contact information. Their details may include an email address or LinkedIn profile.
  • Take the first step and reach out. Send a personalized message introducing yourself and why you’re contacting the recipient. Don’t be afraid to be clear and concise. 
  • Schedule time in your calendar to follow up. Setting due dates can incentivize your networking habits. 

What Are the 3 P’s of Networking?

The 3 P’s of networking include the following:

🗝️ Purpose: The primary goal of networking is to build rapport with new people and maintain a relationship over time.

🗝️ People: Your contacts can range from professional colleagues and peers to new friends.

🗝️ Process: This is the method for how you approach networking. For example, connecting on social media, sending personalized emails, and meeting at networking events. Your process may combine some or all of these components.

How to Build a Network and Keep In Touch (00:30)

For busy entrepreneurs, relying on your memory alone to follow up isn’t realistic. Instead, we recommend using a tool to help keep in touch with your peers. 🧰

Where do you put a new contact and interaction details?

In the video, Layla brainstorms some user-friendly ways to store the information:

1. Search existing tools: Do you use any tools with CRM functionality? In Layla’s case, the answer is “no.”
2. Check for integrated tools: Integrated tools typically connect with your software. For example, many of Layla’s correspondences happen through email, LinkedIn, and phone. So she needs an integrated option that can support these areas. 
3. Try a DIY approach: Another way is to use a tool to build your own DIY CRM system. Fortunately, Layla has two no-code tools: ClickUp (👈 affiliate link) and SmartSuite (👈 affiliate link).  

Although these project management software are great for small teams, we don’t recommend them to the average user because they have overlapping features.

Debating between SmartSuite and ClickUp? Check out this video where Layla compares the project management systems! ⚖️    

For this tutorial, we will create a CRM system in SmartSuite!

Key Elements of a CRM System (02:23)

After deciding on your tool of choice, it’s time to consider how to develop a CRM system.

The main factors of a Customer Relationship Management system are:

✅  A chart of people you want to connect with. The fields will likely include basic contact information, such as names, addresses, and the best mode of communication.  
✅ An area to document contact points, like previous conversations and actions related to the people in the contact table.

How to Create a CRM System Using SmartSuite (03:49)

1. Sign in to your SmartSuite (👈 affiliate link) account.

You can use SmartSuite’s AI generator and describe what you want to build or use a pre-made template. For this guide, we will use a template, which you can grab for your own use by joining our Indie Ops Network™!  

1. Select ➕ Add New Solution and Start with Templates.  
2. Once you select a template, duplicate the solution in the same workspace and rename it to whatever you see fit, like “CEO CRM.” 
3. Uncheck items you don’t require, such as Records or Comments. However, you can keep these fields for personal notes if you’d like. 
4. Continue customizing the template by deleting unnecessary fields that don’t support your networking goals. 
5. Create new titles for your database tabs. For simplicity’s sake, you can write: Humans and Interactions log.

You’ll find details in the General Information area of the Humans chart, like the contact’s name, email, company, location, and attachments.

Watch Layla’s video tutorial at timestamp (06:15) for additional context. 🎬 

At the top of the General Information area, you’ll see:

📝 Key Info or Relationships: You can use this subfield to track anything, from the name of someone’s dog to Christmas gift ideas. 
📝 Interactions Log: This technical piece allows you to connect your Human entry with your Interactions table. 
📝 Status: The status label categorizes your contacts in terms of relationship. For instance, Stranger, Know/Like/Trust, and Not a Good Fit.  
📝 Formula field: This area shows the latest interactions, like the number of days since your last follow-up. You can sort, filter, and color code the Formula section to keep you accountable for your networking efforts. 

How to Build a Network With the Interactions Log (08:58)

1. Click on the ➕ icon on the right-hand side of the field to connect the Interactions log to the Humans chart. This action will create a relationship between relevant human(s) and communications. 
2. Rename the Date field to a relevant title, like “Interaction Date.”
3. In the Description area, you can add anything, from text and images to emojis. For example, you may write, “Saw [first name] at ATOMICON 2025 while presenting.” ✍ 

Speaking of ATOMICON, Layla will make a special appearance this year. Join us this summer if you want to learn from her and other guest speakers on relevant topics for your small business.

1. Save your updates. 

💡 ProcessDriven tip: Consider adding a shared link from your SmartSuite Interactions form to your Chrome Settings, so it appears in your browser when you log in. 

Want to swipe our pre-made CRM template? Sign up for our Indie Ops Network™ community and retrieve it from our library today! 👐 

A Barrier to Networking Effectively and Consistently

After completing this guide, you will have a beautiful plan that maps out your contacts and interactions. Yay, the first phase of your networking process is complete! 🎉

But now, you have a new problem: You’re too busy to check your CRM system unless prompted. 

The truth is that data alone will not drive action. However, promises with a timeline and action items can make all the difference. Tasks + Data = Results. 

You can implement your plan by identifying trigger points in your control and turning them into tasks. 

Apply Task Management to Networking Efforts

Metrics are great for measuring your progress. However, creating routines for your systems is necessary to move towards your networking goals. 

You can do this by reviewing recent interactions and establishing a schedule for follow-ups. For instance, if you haven’t touched base with your peers in 90 days, it may be time to send a message. 📅 

Consider where people in your circle stand as you revisit the Human chart. Not a fan of someone? Add a maintenance task to update statuses every 30 days.

Use Metrics to Hold Yourself Accountable 

After creating a task manager, define critical metrics you want to monitor and frequency of check-ins: 

📈 Number of humans: The quantity of contacts in your network. 

📈 Number of humans you appreciate: The individuals you enjoy spending time with or are open to socializing with. 

📈 Number of logged activities: Total amount of contact points over time. If your main objective is to make networking a habit, focus on how often you reach out, like 5 new leads per week. 

Once you have a CRM system, task management plan, and key metrics, test your new process to see how it helps you stay on top of your networking goals.

🧠 Keep in mind: If anything becomes too cumbersome, modify your approach accordingly. 

How to Network Effectively Starting Today

In just a few hours of building a CRM database, you can have a fully functioning system that helps you keep in touch with all the right people. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 

Of course, an efficient process can only go so far. You’ll also need to take the initiative to make networking a habit for your business and personal life. If you need extra support and accountability, we’ve got you covered!

Our Indie Ops Network™ is an exclusive virtual community of seasoned business operators ready to share advice and words of encouragement. 💬

When you join, you can expect networking opportunities, plug-and-play Process Improvement Plans (PIP), mastermind calls, and pre-made templates like this tutorial.

Good luck with forming new connections, and enjoy the process!