Invite everyone you meet for drinks, coffee or dinner.
Having just moved to New York I didn't know anyone, so decided to take bold action.
I had read somewhere that if opportunities aren't knocking then invite everyone you meet for drinks, coffee or dinner. I know that this idea or suggestion seems rather expensive and time consuming but your playing the long game here. You don't know who that person sitting across the table from you knows. You don't know who that woman you just said hi to in the lobby is related to.
Sometimes you have to be proactive!
However, being the overachiever that I am, I took it one step further and in the process grew my LinkedIn connections by 350 percent, How you may ask? By putting a time on that invitation. If I emailed someone on Monday or Tuesday, I would offer to take them out the same week, and if I emailed after Tuesday, I would offer to take them out the same week or the week after. And if I didn't hear anything within three days, I would extend the invitation again.
You can send the most nicely worded email but that email will never make an impression like inviting someone out for coffee, drinks or dinner. The reason is because your invitation makes them feel good, which is the best first impression anyone can make.
Try it for yourself this week and watch as the opportunities start flowing in.