Business networking is NOT about attending an event, collecting stacks of business cards and telling everyone about YOUR business!
People who only do that just don’t get it!
Rarely few, if any will do business with you – much less refer new business to you – unless they have an established relationship with you. As my friend, Tom Hopkins, once said, “People only do business with people they like and trust.”
I am offended when meeting someone new at a networking event if the only thing they want to do is try to get me to buy their product or service. Are you kidding? “I don’t know you, much less trust you! Get lost!” Of course, I would never say that to anyone, but I’m thinking it. I simply conjure up a quick excuse to move on and put their business card in the pocket designated for “throw-away” later. Seldom will anyone refer you to their close business associates upon first meeting you.
So. . . Stop it! Don’t do networking that way anymore. It doesn’t work!
Rethink your strategy. Spend some time learning how the professional networkers do it. Research the hundreds of FREE networking articles in this blog. Take a look at the Networking Articles Index. Attend a networking seminar and begin to use the valuable tips you learn. Read good networking books. “Ten Commitments of Networking” is a great book to start with.
“Let someone else educate you, even if you’re tempted to stay closed minded, because you value their knowledge and appreciate their willingness to share it.” ~ Lori Deschene
Before you can get the attention of the professional networkers (the people you really need to know), the pros will want to know more about YOU first – then your business (in that order). They will first seek to understand how they might be able to help you, if you are someone that knows the networking ropes and whether you are someone they could work with in the future.
Once you gain the confidence of those in your network you will most likely be granted unlimited access to their knowledge of networking and when that partnership is in place you will fit nicely in their connection zone. Information that is timely, relevant and trustworthy is the reward. AND maybe even a business referral or two. With a solid business relationship in place you will be amazed how it will improve your productivity.
To sum it up. . . it’s time to get serious about business networking. Networking works better when we all work together, get to know each other better and focus on developing long-term relationships with other networkers.
Copyright © 2012 – Larry James. Adapted from Larry’s latest book, Ten Commitments of Networking: Creative Ways to Maximize Your Personal Connections! Larry James is a Professional Speaker, Author and Coach. He presents networking seminars nationally and “Networking” coaching by telephone or one-on-one. Something NEW about Networking is posted on this Networking BLOG every 4th day! Visit Larry’s Networking Website at: “Networking HQ!”
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It’s time we change that. Turn up your “burn!” Light a fire under yourself! Give yourself a good kick in the pants (or panties), get off your butt and do what is necessary to get back in the game. There are many effective proven ways to regain the burn. Doing nothing is not one of them.
3. Improve your relationships. Studies show that your relationship with your significant other or spouse has a corresponding effect on your business relationships and your success. What happens in your day-to-day private life, especially your close relationships has the potential of intruding subtly, and often not so subtly into your daily working lives. When it comes to the workplace, in the past many managers have tended to ignore the personal, and private emotions of their staff in situations of conflict at home. 
) however most are not into trying to impress me with who they are. Smart people usually don’t do that. Half of being smart is knowing what your dumb at! If you have been in the business for any length of time you know that many people around you are content to live mediocre lives. Not me! The point is: you can learn a lot from people who are doing what needs to be done. They are disciplined and decisive. They focus on being productive, not just being busy. Most work outside of their comfort zone. They take calculated risks. They maintain a positive outlook as they learn from their mistakes. You can learn from that.
7. Repent! Forgive yourself for all your past bad business and networking habits and begin again. There is no shame in starting over. Turn over a new leaf. Make some new choices – choices that you promise yourself to maintain. No excuses. Green lights and straight ahead!
If this is not a fairly accurate description of you as a networker, I would suggest that you refocus your efforts on learning more about how to network more effectively. 
“When you fail to hit the target… it is never the targets fault!” – 
If you are someone who in the past has attended every major networking event and all the networking functions you had time for and seem to be no further ahead… then you must take time to reflect upon your successes, failures and lessons learned from last year, make some significant changes and start over. Reevaluate “how” you network. Revise your 
1. 
Networking is. . . using your creative talents to “help others” achieve their goals as you cultivate a network of people strategically positioned to support you in your goals. . . expecting nothing in return! ~ Larry James
Stalk: to follow, watch, and bother (someone) constantly in a way that is frightening, annoying, etc. 
The second thing you must learn is to avoid becoming that person at an event who won’t stop trying to sell his or her company at every moment. Doing this only annoys the very people you may need to meet. Learn to schmooze. Focus. Show a genuine interest in others as you introduce yourself. Be interested and interesting!
Effective networking takes sustained and focused effort. Which, in my opinion, is why many people get involved in networking only to quickly determine that it doesn’t work. Why? Occasional participation rarely works, because it takes this kind of commitment – sustained and focused effort – to create awareness for you and your business, and to build long-term business relationships that lead to the kind of collaboration that nets results. You must be committed to enthusiastic involvement in whatever group or event you choose. This kind of involvement inevitably gains attention and over time will work best to the benefit of everyone. It’s the only way to substantially increase support and referrals. 
Business networking – like any other business activity – requires concentrated effort to produce results. One of the best things about networking is its unbeatable potential for exposure. Combine it with Facebook, Google+, Twitter and awareness of others to you grows exponentially. How do you draw the line between social and professional networking? It always comes down to face-to-face contact and how how you conduct yourself in the presence of others as to whether there is a possibility of a continued relationship.
“If you are not totally committed, don’t expect to get all the benefits that are there for those willing to jump in with all their heart! Halfhearted doesn’t cut it in love, sports or business or making money.” ~ Jack M. Zufelt
If the idea of networking makes you uncomfortable or confused, step out there and do it anyway. When you do the thing you fear, the death of fear is certain. Never let fear hold you back. You have to take the first step while you are still afraid. Be brave. Demonstrate your self-confidence. 
Whether this is your first visit or perhaps you are new to networking and are starting from scratch, it’s important to know that the networker with the best and latest networking techniques rules. To stay ahead you must have an intention to consistently rethink and refine the way you have been networking. Work to develop collaborative business contacts (while maintaining existing contacts) and to use them to build long-term business and personal relationships. You must develop the proper mindset so you can stay calm in the face of any road blocks you may encounter. 
The game is changing. It’s no longer just showing up at a networking event. Networking insists that you be proactive – that you continually refine your expertise. You have to think ahead to get ahead! Be one of the few who take a step back and look around for new and exciting ways to network. Do the unexpected, the new, the different. Make some waves! Do it with no self-doubt, no delusions, no indecision, no hesitation. Learn to network better than everyone else then find someone to mentor. Show everybody else how it’s done. Apply the knowledge gained and see your business grow. You have to be good at networking for it to work. 
No need to perpetuate the pain, disappointment and embarrassment of knowing that how you are networking isn’t working. Just STOP! 
Many networking events are laced with people who want to talk your ear off about how great they are. I usually listen for a few brief moments, then politely move on. That is not why you go to a networking event. People want to know whether you are someone to do business with, have friendship with, create projects with, exchange business leads with in the future. Be someone worth their time. Be 
