Time and again, you’ve heard it here—networking is important! You reach out, set up coffee dates, and hopefully form relationships that will help your career. And that’s all there is to it! …or is there? If your networking begins and ends at Starbucks, it’s time to up your game with these four networking strategies that don’t require cream or sugar.

1. Send a no-strings email. People are busy; they can’t always conjure up time to have coffee with you (nor will they always want to). So instead of a coffee date, try sending a casual email to put yourself on a connection’s radar. You can send congratulations for a recent project or promotion, or send along a link to a news article you thought they might enjoy. It’s a quick, no-obligation way to stay in touch.
2. Network up and down. You know that interview advice, to treat the receptionist as courteously as you treat the CEO? That’s because everyone is part of the same network; they talk to each other, as they can also talk to you. Of course the CEO can impact your career, but don’t forget that Bill the intern will soon move on to another role at your company or at another, and that Fred in the mailroom interacts with a lot of people each day. The easiest way to interface with people at any level? When you cross paths, offer a confident greeting and a brief introduction. You never know who might remember you at the right time!
3. Get your questions answered. You want to get a specific answer from a specific person in your network? Be direct; don’t schedule an hour-long coffee meeting for a five-minute agenda. Tell this person you would appreciate their input, and ask if it would be easiest to meet up or schedule a quick phone call. Not only will your directness be appreciated, but it will ensure the conversation actually takes place.
4. Create coworkers. This might sound silly, but finding like minds is a challenge for freelancers, contractors, and remote employees, who need to reach a little farther. If this is you, look for ways to meet more people organically. You could join a local business group a coworking space to work from a few days a week. Try setting up a recurring “mixer” event—something informal that brings these singletons together. You could also meet people outside a business setting, such as fellow spin-class regulars, other parents in your child’s classroom, or fellow volunteers at the hospital. It’s all about reaching out to more people, even if it’s not cultivating a direct business relationship.

So who do you know, and how can you reach out to even more people past the traditional coffee date? Even if you don’t have immediate plans to change jobs, making a habit of these four strategies can help you build the network that secures your future. You never know when you might need a leg up!