The Bill Clinton guide to networking

I learned a lot about political networking from former President Bill Clinton—tips I use to this day in the world of business. I was in my early twenties when I worked in the Clinton White House, and at the time I didn’t know much about developing relationships.

Fortunately, I could learn from a master.

If he wasn’t busy enough already, President Clinton could write a book on how to network effectively. (No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, you have to agree that anyone who makes it to the Oval Office is a master at political networking.)

Here are three powerful networking techniques Clinton used as president:

1. Send handwritten notes.

President Clinton mailed dozens of handwritten notes each month, but he believed in the power of sending personal notes long before he wrote them on White House notecards. He would send handwritten thank-you notes, birthday cards and “I was thinking of you” notes. He would send dozens of follow-up notes each month to people he had met in person.

It wasn’t just about political networking; it was about keeping up a genuine, friendly relationship with a variety of people.