In today’s connected world, having a strong network is a real booster for your career and private life. But what makes a good network? How do you maintain relationships authentically and effectively over time? And what role do social media platforms really play? This detailed blog post provides evidence-based, practical answers—seasoned with current studies, data, and a pinch of humor.
What Types of Contacts Matter for Networking?
Not all networks are created equal, and a good mix makes all the difference. Academic research shows that different types of contacts serve very distinct purposes:
- Strong ties: Family, best friends, reliable colleagues—these provide trust and deep exchange. Studies confirm that strong ties form our emotional foundation and offer support in critical moments (Granovetter, 1973).
- Weak ties: Casual acquaintances, distant colleagues, or contacts from other sectors are a source of new information and opportunities. Mark Granovetter’s “The Strength of Weak Ties” showed that loose relationships are key for access to new professional opportunities.
- Potential or future contacts: People you don’t know well yet but with whom it might be worthwhile to connect—whether at events or online. A well-managed network includes a balance of existing and potential contacts to keep things dynamic.
A healthy mix of these contacts makes a resilient, useful network—like a buffet, where both variety and quality matter.
How to Maintain Regular and Authentic Contact
Keeping up with your network is often tougher than creating it. Here are some research-backed tips that help your network thrive and build trust:
- Regularity beats quantity: Small, frequent interactions are more effective than occasional big gestures. A study by Roberts and Dunbar (2011) found that people can actively maintain about 150 meaningful social relationships (the “Dunbar number”), and this requires time and attention.
- Personalization builds closeness: A simple birthday greeting or a quick message about a shared topic lands better than generic phrases. Digital tools like HighFive help manage such reminders and notes so no opportunity gets missed.
- Authenticity and real interest: People quickly sense when contact is made out of duty or self-interest. Openness and genuine interest are key for sustainable bonds. Psychological studies show that empathy and listening are essential for relationship quality.
By making connections smart and everyday, friendships and business relationships can be nurtured equally—whether with a quick call, a coffee invitation, or a personal message.
The Benefits and Limits of Social Media in Networking
Social media is indispensable—but also a double-edged sword—when it comes to networking. Studies and data paint a clear picture:
- Benefits: 60% of the world’s population are active on social platforms, massively expanding access, reach, and visibility (DataReportal, 2024). Platforms like LinkedIn have shown that 35% of users secure new jobs, business partners, or deals by networking there (LinkedIn Study, 2025). Virtual networking saves time and costs, increases flexibility, and boosts productivity (Forbes, 2025).
- Limits: Excessive or unstructured use leads to time loss, distraction, and can negatively impact wellbeing. Studies confirm that excessive social media use correlates with lower academic performance and higher stress (Nursing Students Study, 2025; WHO reports). Real relationships with depth often form less online than in person.
- Finding balance: Successful networking uses social media as a tool—not a one-way street. The key is a conscious mix of digital and face-to-face encounters. Especially personal follow-ups and offline meetings build stronger connections over the long term.
Conclusion: Networking can be more efficient thanks to social media, but it requires awareness of its limits and a personal, empathetic approach.
With the right mix of contact types, regular and authentic relationship care, and the targeted use of social media, you’re on your way to building a robust, effective network. If you understand and nurture your relationships, you’ll see tangible benefits—professionally and privately, from new opportunities to real friendships.
Sources:
- Granovetter, M. (1973). The Strength of Weak Ties. American Journal of Sociology.
- Roberts, S.G.B., Dunbar, R.I.M. (2011). Communication in Social Networks: Effects of Kinship, Network Size, and Emotional Closeness. Personal Relationships.
- DataReportal (2024). Digital 2024: Global Overview Report.
- LinkedIn Economic Graph Research (2025). Networking Impact on Career Opportunities.
- Nursing Students Study (2025). Association Between Social Media Addiction and Academic Achievement.
- Forbes (2025). The Advantages of Virtual Networking in 2025.