Building a Stronger Network in 2026

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.”
African Proverb

by Skip Cohen

With the start of the new year and IUSA less than a week away, this is the time to be thinking about your network.

Gone are the days of collecting business cards and the names of the reps who call on you. A reliable network brings together people with mutual interests; their ability to support the challenges you face, and in this business, a shared passion for imaging.

It starts with meeting as many people as you can face-to-face and truly getting to know them a little better than you can via email or phone.  Then it’s about keeping in contact, beyond once a year at a convention or national sales meeting.

Think about all the people you know and have met through:

• Conventions, conferences, workshops
• Community involvement
• Friends/Associates
• Vendors/Manufacturers
• Customers/Your database
• Social Media

Now think about all the ways to stay in touch, especially with members of your network whose skill set you admire. And today, there are so many different ways to stay connected:
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• Connect at conventions – If you're headed to IUSA next week, make sure you have a few plans in advance to connect with associates face-to-face. And don't forget about all the vendors who make products you use in your business. Make it a point to meet some of the key players right away while you're all together at the convention. 
• Be active in Social Media: There are dozens of forums with a photography theme. For example, I'm still a big fan of Facebook. Use Facebook’s search box and find them by keywords. When you join, though, become a member with the intent of being helpful, NOT as a retailer.
• Be Active on Linkedin: Linkedin, for most of us, started out as a way to connect with a job-hunting network, but today it's expanded far beyond just employment searches. There are numerous groups with an interest in imaging as their foundation.
• Facebook/Twitter: Retweet posts and tweets of the members of your network. The idea is to always help each other.
• Track birthdays, anniversaries, and events: I love using Facebook's birthday notifications, and it’s my first stop each morning.
• Pick up the phone! It’s old-fashioned, but in an age where we spend too much time texting and emailing, it’s the perfect way to stay in touch with the most important people in your network.

Think of your network as a target, and you’re at the bull's eye center. Each of the 2-3 rings closest to you represents those people you trust the most and have the most valuable skills to help you with the various challenges that might come up. Each ring also represents another level of diversity, and a well-rounded network is your goal.

Great networks don't happen overnight or by themselves. Pay attention to the "care and feeding" of your network. It will become your most valuable resource so often in building a successful business.