Do you approach your network with the simple mindset of “how can you help me” like many others, you may be in for a rude shock though. Your attitude should be of “how can we help each other” adopting the former attitude has not been a very effective strategy to bring in the desired results, hence the need for a collaborative approach.
Time and Energy
You do not stand to lose anything with the latter, rather reap great benefits in terms of being really efficient. The old approach is an effort in vain, with constant dissipation of time and energy on your part.
An Awesome Addition
When you constantly keep on thinking about different ways of supporting your contacts, you would come across as an awesome addition to their network. Do not go for “let me know how I can help you” approach as it turns out to be ineffective.
Something Tangible
The reason is if a person does not know how you can help them, they are never going to ask in all likelihood. Another connected aspect is they might ask for a certain thing which you may be unable to offer. So the best thing that you can do instead is, give them something tangible to work with.
The All Important Question
Begin by being specific about what is it that you can realistically offer. Go ahead and understand the needs and requirements of your connections that help them to achieve their goals. Now pose the all important question to yourself, how can you help and empower this person and enable them to reach their potential.
Sharing Is Caring
Again the simple act of sharing an article or a video for that matter is indeed a fabulous way of starting a conversation or keeping in touch with a contact. Also make it a point to share the content of your connections on your network. Play the role of a super-connector by making an introduction.
Nurture Your Network
Tied to the proposition are the probable resources, opportunities and robust support that you can render. Well you do not need to really worry about nurturing your network, just by incorporating certain simple things like forwarding a job that may not be a great fit for you but may turn out to be just about perfect for someone else.
Worth Its Weight in Gold
It is a good practice to endorse the skills of your contacts from time to time and write recommendations, a great one is definitely worth its weight in gold. Never miss on the opportunity of sharing something useful, sending across a great job opening as a private message that includes the link or posting it on your LinkedIn feed is always a wonderful idea.
A Credible Net-worker
Endorsing the skills of exceptional professionals goes a long way in furthering their career by giving them third party 
credibility and also add value to you as a credible professional net-worker. It could come back to you as an endorsement, the same is true of recommendations as well, a gesture that is appreciated greatly and the same may be written back for you as well.
Add Value to the Network
Even sharing cool companies while you are not actively seeking a job is a great way to add value to the network. Similarly consider a person’s special interests, find more about them on their LinkedIn profile and then share relevant and pertinent information. Sending the person a simple contact message with the link to a useful resource, and some information about the context, would go a long way in fostering goodwill and cultivating professional relationships.
The Super-connector
Sharing content from your connections and acknowledging them by crediting and tagging back is a great way to add value. When you feel some connections may benefit from knowing each other play the role of a super-connector and professional matchmaker, they would have many reasons to thank you.
Final Words
Endorsing someone might take you a couple of minutes, whereas writing a recommendation requires a little more time and thought, however your connections would thank you still more as recommendations are worth much more than endorsements. Effective networking is never a hassle, all you need to do is spend very little time each day for nurturing your network. Once this is ingrained as a habit a large and stronger network is only a matter of time leading to greater success for you and others as well.
