How can you build a professional network in application development without being pushy?

In my experience, knowing where you are and brainstorming where you want to go next in the next 6-12 months, but not too far such as 5-10 years will make your engagement strategy more effective as the best people to learn from are the people who are a few steps ahead and not too far ahead.

From my experience, many people think they need external help to develop their application idea. However, there's a lot you can do before even starting to code that can significantly contribute to your project's success. It's crucial to understand your ideal customer, identify your competitors, and determine the most suitable business model. Analyze the challenges faced by your competitors. Extensive planning in these areas ensures that when you're ready to delve into the technical aspects, you are well-prepared and informed. Don't get caught up in what you cannot do, but focus on what you can do.

Join dev chats on telegram and find the people on LinkedIn - share insights on the latter and communicate on the first platform. Thank me afterwards :) P. S. Don't forget about events on Luma and Eventbrite!

Offline, in-person communities are surprisingly good for making you feel "normal" in a space with people that you want to connect with; and from there you can gain good pointers through more casual conversation instead of having to build connection online, which can be harder.

I've personally found limited success with Meetups or random in-person events. Instead, I've achieved better results using various social media platforms. My strategy involves sharing and engaging with content that aligns with my objectives. For instance, if your goal is fitness, follow and interact with fitness-related content. If you aim to enhance your technical skills, engage with tech-focused material. The key is to make learning enjoyable by integrating it into activities you're already involved in on these platforms.

Listen more than you speak. Approach your next steps like a design process, in the product design process we have a lot of "design conversations" where we explore the audience and their perspective. In my experience, 10-20 conversations with respected people in the community are already enough to point you in a fruitful direction. And they are fun.

Forge meaningful connections in the world of application development by genuinely investing in the people you aspire to connect with. Delve into their career paths with genuine curiosity, immersing yourself in their unique stories and experiences. Embrace the art of listening with intent, learning from their journeys, and generously offering your insights and support. This approach paves the way for relationships to naturally evolve and flourish. By prioritizing authentic engagement, you'll find that opportunities and collaborations will organically present themselves, opening doors to a network that's not just expansive, but also profoundly impactful and rewarding.

Based on my experience, maintaining an optimistic attitude helps me interact with others in a way that doesn't feel overbearing. Remember, every recruiter or salesperson reaching out to you could potentially offer a life-changing opportunity. Even if their current proposition doesn't align with your immediate goals, it's worth not dismissing them outright. Take the time to listen to what they have to say and respond to their messages. While it's not always possible to engage with everyone, when you do find the time to interact, it can be highly beneficial. This approach often leads to valuable connections and opportunities in the long run.

Digest people's content frequently and interact in thoughtful manners over time. For example, set aside 30 minutes a day and interact with experts in your network and their content.

From my experience, people prefer working with those who are not only pleasant to be around but also capable of making significant contributions. It's important to consistently deliver your best work, as this is the primary criterion your network will use to evaluate you.

I agree, but I'd like to emphasize the importance of quality over quantity in networking. My strongest connections have been formed through positive interactions, shared work experiences, and collaborative successes. These factors have made me memorable to my best contacts.

When someone recommends you they put their credibility on the line, so don't just ask for it. Contribute frequently to build your credibility by posting your content, and introducing people in your network to each other.