How to build your network through spreading goodwill.

Helping people out is one of the best ways to build your network. Whether you’re taking the time to review someone’s business plan or just give candid advice on searching for a new job, these moments of goodwill help you build a stronger network of people who might be able to help you, too!

We built Brazen Careerist with helping people in mind. Here are some ways that you can start building your network through the simple task of helping out another person.

Community Karma on Network Roulette.
From 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern every weekday, log onto Brazen Careerist and participate in a event created for one purpose: Creating community karma. Every day, dozens of members are logging onto ready to exchange favors with one another.

Come prepared to answer two questions: “What do I need help with?” and “How am I willing to help someone out?” After that, spin the roulette wheel and see who we randomly match you with.

Begin in each conversation by asking something like: “How can I help you today?” Don’t begin each conversation by saying: “Hey. How are you doing?” This is speed networking and you’re only given three minutes to decide if the person you’re connected to is a good match. Use your minutes wisely!

Join groups on Brazen.
Groups like & were created by eager to help people. Join these groups like these and start browsing the discussion threads. Reply to any discussion that seems interesting and relevant to you.

Also, don’t be afraid to start your own discussions. The best conversations are born when a member presents a problem that they’re facing to the rest of the group and asks for feedback.

Search for more groups that are relevant to your personal and professional goals, geography and interests using the Search tool in the Brazen Careerist header. Use search terms like: “Information Technology” and “New York City”.

*On Thursday, January 13, we’re hosting a Network Roulette event inspired by the Barter on Brazen group.

Trending discussions.
Brazen Careerist know that the best place to find the top conversations happening on any given day is to look at the Trending Discussions section on the sidebar of the site. There you will find great people willing to exchange support. Plus, you’ll find some great food for thought on how you can make your discussion threads more engaging

Keep your profile updated.
Through paying close attention to our clickthroughs, we know that the first place that someone goes on Brazen Careerist when deciding whether or not to help you out is . Of course, this makes sense because they want to know you’re legit before taking time out of their day to share some goodwill.

The basics are most important—picture, professional info, geography, website, etc—but after that is complete, don’t forget about . It’s designed to give potential and existing contacts a condensed look at what’s most important about you.

Include thinks like links to your best blog posts or articles and great conversations you’ve started on Brazen Careerist, but don’t forget to include something that tells people what you’re looking for through being a member. What are your goals? What problems are you facing? How do you think the community can help?

Naturally, the most difficult part of starting to give and exchange support on Brazen Careerist is taking the initiative to get started. It may seem like a lot of work, but after you get started you’ll find that the more active you are on Brazen Careerist, the most good karma will come your way. Promise.

Berrak is a DC-area student who is now working with Brazen Careerist’s community management team. and become her fan to learn more about her.