Networking is hard. The “9 Idea Strategy” makes it 100x easier. Here’s how to do it in 5 simple steps:

1. People Struggle To Network

The biggest challenge is the idea of “adding value.”

Nobody knows what to do or say to “add value.”

But that’s because they only think of obvious ideas.

If you want to win, you need to push past the obvious.

Enter the “10 Idea Strategy.”

2. 10 Ideas A Day

James Altucher originally coined this idea.

He wanted to become an “idea machine.”

So he’d sit down every day with a prompt and draft up 10 ideas.

For example:

- 10 blogs he could write

- 10 ways to solve X problem

- 10 ways to improve his diet

3. Why 10 Ideas?

10 ideas force you to get creative.

Ideas 1–3 is obvious.

Ideas 4–7 make you think a little.

Ideas 8–10 are HARD.

You really have to dig deep, get creative, and step outside the box to come up with them.

That’s why they’re usually the best ones.

4. How Can You Apply This?

First, make a list of every contact you want to network with.

I recommend starting with a list of 10–20 people.

Second, block 15 minutes in your calendar every weekday.

Use that time to brainstorm 10 ways you could add value to this person.

5. How Can You Apply This? (Part 2)

Third, rank the 10 ideas based on upside and ease.

How likely is it to make you stand out? (Upside).

How easy is it for you to do? (Ease).

Now take action on your #1 ranked idea.

If it works, great!

If not? Move to #2.

Rinse and repeat.

6. Ideas #1–3

1. Look to see if anyone in my network knows Ben, and try to get a warm intro

2. Cold email Ben asking for a 30-minute call

3. Pay to be one of Ben’s coaching clients

7. Ideas #4–7

4. Offer to make a mutually beneficial intro to someone in my network

5. Line up 3 companies/people that might pay for his sponsorships

6. Leave supportive comments on his posts for 2 weeks

7. Take action on his systems, then email him my success story

8. Ideas #8–10

8. Take action, and turn it into content (tag him)

9. Sign up for his newsletter, audit his website, and send him ideas to drive more subs/revenue

10. Leverage his systems to build my own audience, document everything, and send it to him to use as a case study for his course.

9. Analyzing Those Ideas

The first 4 ideas are things we all think of but never work.

Ideas 5–8 are more creative and could be effectively paired.

Ideas 9–10 require work, but they’re super creative and very likely to work.

That’s the beauty of this strategy.