It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

Not only is life itself very much about personal relationships, business can be a different world when you have the right connections.

How do you get them?
Hustle.

People are people, and it’s easier than ever to find everyone using the ‘net.  It’s also easy to stay in touch with contacts across the globe with email, Facebook, Twitter, Skype and the like.

What I mean by ‘people are people’ is we’re all the same. Just because someone is your idol because they wrote a book or started a successful company doesn’t mean they won’t talk to you, or find interest in you.

The ‘hustle’ part comes from you actively reaching out to the people you want to connect with.  Research them, research the groups that would be good to join, and send out an intro email.  Make a call or send a letter.  Be persistent with this.

What will you say?
Here’s the rub, and the title of my post.  You need a story. You may be wondering how that is possible if you have no business, just got out of school, or spent the past 5 years desk-jockeying it up at Edward Jones.

It is possible.  I think you have to focus it more on what you want to become, your ideas and passions, and how it relates to the person you’re trying to connect with.  But it’s possible.

Like: “I’m 26 years old, and a big follower of the internet space.  I’ve been obsessed with financial software since I was a kid.  I would spend hours at night working with Quicken.  Now I’m starting a simple finance platform for old people to help them track their medical expenses.   I’ve connected with some local groups like ____ and ___ but am looking to meet other people who can offer advice.  I’ve seen your company/product  _____ and . . .   Let’s have coffee.”

Of course this can be hit and miss.  There’s no telling if your story will resonate with the intended party, or which part will.  You need a story to even get in the game though.

With Growth Partner, it’s nice to talk to people about the involvements with 3 Inc 500 winners or the companies that sold.  The current investments and interests and online marketing skills.

Then again, we’ve had people say, “What really stood out to me was that Monopoly was your favorite game as a kid.” Or “I remembered your name from youth hockey.”

I’m still waiting for the “you guys brought personal assistants to Pubcon didn’t you?”.

The point is, get a story together and hustle.  Connections will come.

Image: Retrofuturs