What’s the most powerful investment you can make in your career? Creating and growing your own professional network over time. Relationships matter. Besides giving a rich context to your work life, your connections offer support, energy, collaboration, a rich exchange of ideas and resources. Doors can open for you through their referrals.

How to create and feed your professional network

• Keep in touch regularly with former colleagues who are important to you. You share a common experience — a work setting, events and people. They know you professionally, and they respect your work.

Tip: People tend to drift apart over time, so maintaining connection takes some effort - the occasional coffee, lunch, phone conversations, cards, email.

• Network. I know this term has been terribly overused and typically not done well at that. It may conjure up images for you of speed dating — hurriedly pressing business cards into as many palms as possible. You end up with a pocket full of cards - without context or any reason to follow up.

But attending 2-3 professional association or special interest group meetings each month can reap great rewards. To build new quality relationships, try volunteering, get involved.

Tip: Your time is one of your most precious resources. Choose your groups judiciously. Go to a few meetings and decide if worthwhile. Look for quality, not quantity.

• Exploit the technology available to you. It’s networking on steroids. Expand your reach greatly through social media - networking sites, groups, forums. Start with LinkedIn, an excellent online network of 40 million professionals around the world.

Tip: Approach your social media plan strategically. Give careful time and attention to writing your profiles. Participate to maximize your visibility.

Why keeping in touch really pays off

Durable connections provide you useful feedback, information and opportunity. Healthy relationships are reciprocal. Always be helpful and add value. You get to choose who you include in your circle. It’s yours! Even if you currently have a job or enough work, build your network. Consistently nurture and grow it.

You may remember this catchy little song (actually a round) from when you were a kid, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.”

Today’s question

Are you developing your professional network? What’s working for you?