Most people think building a successful career comes down to doing great work, being responsive and showing up when it counts. And yes, those things matter, but they’re not enough. The truth is, opportunities don’t just appear because you’re good at your job. They come through people. Every new client, every speaking invitation, every referral or job lead almost always starts with a relationship.

You don’t need to know hundreds of people to grow your career. You need a few strong connections with the right people who know what you do, trust how you do it and want to help you succeed. These relationships take time to build, but they’re worth every bit of effort. They lead to visibility, credibility and doors opening that you didn’t even know were there.

The good news is you don’t need to start from scratch. You already have people in your orbit who like you, respect you and would be happy to help you, if they only knew how. Your job is to stay in touch, stay visible and make it easy for others to think of you when opportunities come up.

This list contains practical, sustainable actions you can take to stay connected and show up for others in a way that feels authentic. When you approach relationships with consistency and intention, business development stops feeling like a chore and starts becoming second nature.

Here are 20 ways to do exactly that.

  1. Help your friends professionally: A lot of people keep their personal and professional lives separate. But your friends already like and trust you. Don’t assume they know what you do or who you help. Share ideas, make introductions and find natural ways to be helpful in their work life. This is often the easiest and most overlooked path to new opportunities.
  2. Make it easy to refer you: People want to help you, but they can only do that if they understand exactly what you do and who you help. Share short examples of how you’ve helped others in similar roles or industries. Use clear language. Give them something simple to repeat if your name comes up in conversation.
  3. Ask for advice: People like to be helpful. When you ask someone for their opinion or insight, you create a deeper connection. It shows that you value their experience. It can also lead to more meaningful conversations and future collaborations.
  4. Collaborate through content: One of the best ways to build a relationship is to feature someone else. Ask them to be part of an article, a LinkedIn Live, a podcast or a panel. You’re giving them visibility while also creating something valuable together. It’s a win for both of you.
  5. Share relevant insights: When you see an article, podcast or stat that makes you think of someone, send it to them. Add a quick note on why it reminded you of them or how it might be useful. These kinds of small, thoughtful touches help you stay connected in a genuine way.
  6. Organize small group gatherings: Big networking events can be overwhelming. Curate a small group of professionals who might benefit from knowing each other and invite them to coffee, lunch or a roundtable. You don’t have to be the expert or host a formal program. Just being the connector makes you memorable.
  7. Create in-person touchpoints: Emails and LinkedIn messages are great, but in-person connections leave a lasting impression. Find opportunities to meet people face-to-face, whether it’s at a conference, a breakfast or a casual walk. You’ll build rapport faster and more authentically.
  8. Build your informal advisory board: Surround yourself with people whose judgment you trust. This doesn’t need to be formal. Stay in regular touch with people who challenge you, support you and have different perspectives. They’ll often be the ones who open new doors or help you think differently.
  9. Lead with value in email: When you reach out, don’t make it all about you. Share something useful. Offer help. Include a short reminder of what you do, but keep the focus on them. Most people are bombarded with requests. Be the person who brings value instead.
  10. Show up for your strategic partners: Think about who sends you referrals or speaks highly of your work. Are you doing the same for them? Promote their events. Mention their work to others. Send opportunities their way. A strong partner relationship works both ways.
  11. Go to events with a purpose: Don’t just show up and hope for the best. Know who will be there, set a goal for who you want to connect with, and do your homework. Afterward, follow up with the people you met. A little preparation makes your attendance more productive.
  12. Speak where your audience is: Speaking at an event gives people a reason to come talk to you. It positions you as someone who knows their stuff. Look for panels, webinars or client-facing sessions where you can share what you know in a helpful way.
  13. Run webinars with real takeaways: If you host a webinar, make sure it’s worth people’s time. Focus on a practical topic. Keep it tight. Invite a speaker your audience wants to hear from. People remember the events that helped them learn something useful.
  14. Post regularly on LinkedIn: You don’t need to write a novel or go viral. Just share helpful ideas, short observations or lessons learned. Over time, this builds your presence and keeps you top of mind. It also gives people a way to engage with your thinking.
  15. Share your ideas in multiple formats: Not everyone will see your LinkedIn post. Repurpose it as a blog. Talk about it in a podcast. Share it during a webinar. When you repeat your message across different formats, more people understand who you are and how you think.
  16. Create consistent content: Whether it’s a newsletter, blog or LinkedIn series, consistent content builds trust. You don’t need to post every day, but having a rhythm helps. It keeps you in people’s world even when you’re not actively talking to them.
  17. Reconnect with old contacts: If it’s been a while since you talked to someone, reach out. You don’t need an excuse. A simple “I came across something that made me think of you” can be enough. Relationships don’t expire. Most people appreciate being remembered.
  18. Follow up with intention: After you meet someone or attend an event, take the time to follow up thoughtfully. Reference something specific from your conversation. Send a relevant article. Suggest a way to keep in touch. It shows you were paying attention.
  19. Share your milestones with substance: When you share a promotion, a move or a new project, add context. What did you learn? Why does it matter to you? Who helped you get there? These kinds of posts are more engaging and lead to better conversations.
  20. Ask more questions: The best relationships are built on curiosity. Ask how someone’s doing, what they’re working on, what they’re excited about. People remember those who ask good questions and actually listen to the answers.

If you want to deepen your relationships and create more business opportunities, this is where to start. Pick a few of these ideas. Do them consistently. The results won’t happen overnight, but they will happen.

The right relationship is often closer than you think. You just have to keep showing up.

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