Networking Dos & Don'ts

Have you ever had this happen to you?

You are at a networking event and you introduce yourself to someone you’ve never met (after all, you attend networking events to meet new people) and after the pleasantries of introduction have concluded you ask Joe what he does? He says he sells furniture and then goes on to tell you why his mattresses are the same ones the big stores sell but his cost only a fraction of what they charge. You cringe but not wanting to appear rude, you politely ask him another question about his business and you’re hit with another barrage of why YOU should buy from him.

Are you likely to buy anything from him? Would you be willing to refer him to your closest family members or friends?

Ask yourself, "Why not?"

Joe, in the example above has confused networking with direct selling.

Don’t make that same mistake. Your networking efforts should be directed to developing relationships built on trust. Your referral partners could be your customers but really your focus should be to teach your referral sources how to refer you to their friends and business contacts. You'll achieve greater success, I promise.

Happy networking!