Why would you attend networking events? Is it to connect with new people, to reestablish relationships with people you know, to sell your products and services? Here are three not-so-great reasons to attend networking events.
1. To meet as many people as possibly – Wrong! Sadly, “to meet as many people as possible”, is not a winning strategy. More is not better, when it comes to contacts. Don’t race to distribute your cards with as many people as possible – you risk being labelled as a ‘card-dealer’ – my term for those people that deal their business cards as if at a casino table. And don’t be concerned about attending events that have a LOT of people at them. A few good contacts and a couple of strong relationships is all you need to connect with those that you want to know. I’ve made better contacts at private dinner parties than 600-strong breakfasts!
2. To sell my products and services – Wrong! Networking is not selling (just like ‘telling is not selling’). The purpose of networking is to make contacts and to build relationships. Sales may or may not result from the relationship you form at an event, so give up the agenda to sell something. Focus instead on making a real connection and finding someone you’d like to know more about. Selling will happen… ’cause we like to buy from people we know and like. So – focus on being known and liked! (People tend to like people they know something about and with whom they share interests and values.)
3. To tell people about your business – Wrong! My advice is to ask more about the other person and focus less on ‘telling’ about your business. Asking questions allows you to find ways that you can help them. A good networker will reciprocate and ask about you. If they don’t… then that may be a clue as to whether you want to continue to network with them.
TODAY’s TASK
Tell us: What is your best networking event tip? What has worked well for you when attending events (both online and face-to-face events). Add a comment to this blog post and share your expertise. You’ll no doubt pick up some great tips from others who are participating in this Twitter event. BONUS ARTICLE: How to make the most of networking events “When you think about a networking event, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps a crowd milling around a hotel banquet room with chardonnay in one hand and business cards in the other? In fact, there are many types of networking events, ranging from breakfast meetings with a dozen people, to speaker luncheons with 100 attendees, to black tie dinners with more than 1,000. Each can be a valuable experience – but only if you make the most of the opportunity.” Read the rest of this article by Marni Lifshen.
