If you haven’t heard, I got married a few weeks ago. At my wedding, I looked around and saw radio. People I met as interns nearly 20 years ago stood beside colleagues from my most recent role at Audacy. Friends from every stage of my career helped celebrate the major life moment. Those relationships did not appear overnight. They were built through years of being in the radio trenches together where we formed genuine connections based on having each other’s backs.
When It Mattered Most
When I was laid off, I was grateful to have my network. These were people who knew me and trusted me. That trust led to freelance event production roles with Microsoft and PayPal. It even led to work on the global broadcast of the Times Square Ball Drop on New Year’s Eve. None of those opportunities would have happened without the people in my corner. In other words, my network did more than support me. It opened doors.
Build Across and Up
Many people only network upward. They chase the program director, the VP or the big name on the panel. Those relationships matter. The peers beside you matter just as much. The intern next to you could become a market manager. The coworker down the hall could be the one who calls about a job ten years from now. In short, build in every direction.
Reaching up takes courage. Start by being specific and brief. Tell the person why you admire their work, then ask a thoughtful question. Harvard Catalyst’s networking guide advises against opening with an immediate ask. Instead, make the first conversation about learning.
Be Yourself
Reaching out takes courage, so keep it human. Radio rewards people who sound like people. Harvard Catalyst’s networking guide recommends keeping outreach specific and brief. One of the best cold emails I received at HOT 97 did exactly that, with personality. The subject line read, “You’re Invited to Beyoncé’s Birthday Party.” Inside, the sender wrote something like, “Not really, but now that I have your attention, I’m dying to be your intern, and here’s why.”
That subject line stood out, and the pitch got straight to the point. Moreover, it sounded like a real person wrote it. Be professional, but do not be stiff. Your personality is what people remember.
Find Your People
Not every connection will become a close friendship but some will. Look for the people who make you better. Look for the ones who tell you the truth and show up when it counts. Similarly, notice who lifts others up. Those are your people. Over time, they become more than contacts. They become friends who stay.
Lead With Generosity
The best networking starts with giving. The Harvard guide cites Harvard Business Review research on leaders who invest most in networking. Those leaders shifted their view “from self-focused to other-focused.” That mindset changes everything.
So look for ways to help. Make an introduction. Share a job posting. Offer to review a resume or pass along a name. These small gestures cost little. Moreover, they build the trust that opens doors later.
Follow Up and Stay in Touch
Meeting someone is only step one. The guide shares the 24/7/30 system from authors Ivan Misner and Brennan Scanlon. First, send a note within 24 hours. Next, engage with them on their favorite social platform within seven days. Finally, try to set up a conversation within 30 days. Beyond that, consistency matters more than perfection. A quick congratulations on a promotion keeps a connection alive.
Protect Your Energy
Networking can feel draining. Introverts and extroverts alike need breaks. The guide suggests setting boundaries and bringing a friend or colleague along. I agree. Choose the events that matter most, and give yourself time to recharge.
Put Yourself Out There
So here is your reminder. Go to the event. Send the message. Reply to the post. Ask that programmer for coffee if they’re in your market or a quick Zoom if they’re not. Yes, it may feel awkward at first. I promise it’s worth it. The payoff can last a career.
Best of all, the friendship can last a lifetime. Stations flip, companies restructure and job titles change. Your people stay. Years from now, you may look around a room, as I did, and see a lifetime of connections. Start building yours today.
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