Mary is an extrovert who has always enjoyed the process of expanding her circle of contacts. She is fortunate because her rich and varied network brings her information, opportunities and support.

Most of us are less extroverted than Mary, however, and we feel shy at least some of the time. But even confirmed introverts can bring new energy to their careers by broadening their networks. And most of us can broaden our circles by taking steps that are painless, and even fun.

Even if you already have many friends, there are good reasons to continue to expand your community of contacts. For example, if you are feeling stuck, bored or unsuccessful, a good move is to diversify your network. Studies suggest that most of us have in-bred networks, which means that we get to know people who are a lot like us. As your network becomes more varied, however, it is more likely to bring you inspiration, perspective and opportunity.

Consider these suggestions for building your network:

• Build it before you need it. A classic mistake is to start tending your network on the day you discover that you need a new job. The people with the most effective networks reach out to others throughout their careers. Be conscious of your web of contacts, appreciate the roles that others play in your life, and constantly look for additional ways to meet people.
  
  
• It’s about relationships. The goal in networking isn’t simply to trade business cards with a lot of strangers. The idea is to actually build relationships – to connect in some way – with other people. Don’t worry about whether a relationship is likely to be useful. Rather, know that every positive relationship, no matter how casual, has the potential to offer mutual benefits.
  
  
• Practice listening. Some folks dislike meeting new people because they feel like they don’t have anything clever to say. The great secret of networking is that entertaining patter matters much less than your willingness to ask questions and focus on what the other person is saying. You can practice your listening skills by making small talk with people whom you meet casually in your daily life.
  
  
• Give yourself assignments. It is difficult to plunge into a room crowded with strangers. One way to make it more fun is to give yourself an assignment, such as collecting a certain kind of information. For example, in my lobbying days I attended countless fundraisers where nobody had much interest in meeting me. To have more fun, I would give myself an assignment, like getting at least three people to talk about their dogs. Not everyone had dogs, of course, but when I found a pet owner I was able to stimulate an enthusiastic conversation, and I met some interesting people that way.
  
  
• Don’t obsess. When you want to meet certain kinds of people, it makes sense to attend likely events. But don’t feel as if you have to make every meeting or cocktail party yield a new contact. Pick your event, make an effort to speak to some people you don’t already know, and then let it go. Not every networking attempt will pay off, but your success is assured if you just keep getting out there.
  
  
• Do some work. Joining organizations is a good way to meet people, but you are more likely to kindle relationships if you volunteer to carry some of the load. Sharing tasks and responsibilities provides a powerful way to make friends with the people you meet
  
  
• Do something new. To broaden your circle, vary your pattern by trying an activity that is outside your regular routine. You can bond with a new acquaintance by doing something together, whether it is knitting, hiking or serving in a soup kitchen.
  
  
• Follow up. When you make a new acquaintance find some way to follow up. To ensure that the new person remembers your name, quickly send along a note or email. It is enough to send a quick message saying, “It was a pleasure to meet you.” What can be even more effective is to refer to your conversation and send along additional information or a helpful suggestion. Focus on what you can do for them, and look for a reason to get together again.