Real Business Networking Doesnt Happen at Networking Events

Real networking isn't about handing out business cards at a networking event, or seeing how many you can collect before the event is over. Real networking is about relationships that, when cultivated properly, will breed referrals and positive word of mouth about you and your company.

Too often I hear the famous networking complaint: "networking doesn't work for me." There are a variety of reasons why someone might feel this way. 90% of the time it has nothing to do with them or their business; it has to do with what they think networking really is. Networking IS NOT simply going to networking events and hoping that you'll get some new clients or referrals. Let's say you join your local Chamber of Commerce and go to every lunch meeting that they offer. You do this for a solid year. Are you likely to get any business? If all you did was go to the lunch meetings then the answer is either probably not, or very little.

Networking events are just the beginning of the most important part of networking; Building Relationships. You're not going to be able to build strong relationships simply by saying hello to a few people once a month at lunch. The relationships that are likely to generate those precious referrals you're looking for are built outside of the networking event. These business events are really just a great place to meet people with whom you'd like to build a relationship. Certainly there's a little more to it than that, but identifying these prospects is the primary benefit of these meetings.

The key to building real, profitable business relationships is what happens outside these networking events. It's the one on one personal interaction with the gentleman or lady that you met at that last event where you'll find the gold. It's difficult to get to know someone, and learn what they're truly passionate about in a noisy room with dozens or even hundreds of other people. If you sit down with that same person for coffee, or lunch you'll have a much better chance to get to know who they really are.

Solid networking relationships are built on trust. The best time to do this is while sipping latte's, slurping spaghetti, or slugging Shiner (a local Texas beer). Of course a meal doesn't have to be involved. You might call and ask if you can take a tour of their business operation. Invite them to another coming event that they might be interested in, and schedule time afterwards to sit down and share what you though of the event with each other. Even a phone conversation will get the ball rolling. The point is you've got to take the time outside of these networking events to get to know these folks

The next time you go back to your office from a networking event take out the stack of business cards you collected. Find a couple of people that you'd like to really network with. Now pick up the phone and give them a call. Take a few minutes to get to know them a little bit better and schedule a time to get together. Coffee, lunch, beers, it doesn't matter. Just make sure you'll have enough time in a suitable environment that you can learn more about each other and your respective businesses. This is the beginning of real networking.

Once you've really gotten to know someone the possibilities are unlimited. Just remember that networking with someone is not a one time event. It's an ongoing process. You've got to communicate regularly and follow-up on the things you say you're going to do.

Scott Ingram is the founder of NetworkInAustin.com, a networking resource for networkers in Austin, Texas who use networking as a business development and marketing strategy. He also posts regularly to his blogs: Business Networking in Austin Blog and Austin Networking Events. When he's not out building relationships at Chambers of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Austin, and numerous other business associations and networking groups Scott is busy spending time with his beautiful wife Emily. They are currently expecting their first child, a baby girl.

BNI Explains Why Networking Globally is Becoming Important for ...
MarketWatch - 3 hours ago
Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder & Chairman of BNI, the World's Largest Networking Organization, Explains Why Networking Globally and Not Just Locally is Becoming ...

Reuters
Small businesses fuel boom in virtual networking sites
Reuters - 17 hours ago
By Deborah L. Cohen CHICAGO (Reuters.com) -- Small businesses thrive on their ability to network and as they shift that zeal to get-together online, ...

SMALL BUSINESS Online business networking for SMEs without the pain
Inquirer.net, Philippines - 8 hours ago
By Chupsie Medina MANILA, Philippines -- Next to having your own company website, the “in” thing now is to be part of an SME business networking site, ...

Zude Mashes Up MySpace-Like Social Networking
InformationWeek, NY - 7 hours ago
The latest installment in my whirlwind social-networking world tour is a video look at Zude, the hottest mashup-your-own-Web-page-until-you-drop -- that's ...

Networking site for BPO employees
Sify, India - 6 hours ago
Mumbai: BPO employees can now claim to have a dedicated social networking site for themselves. A clutch of ex-BPO employees have come together to set up ...

Nortel Power Savings Drive Enterprise Customer Adoption
CNNMoney.com - Jul 8, 2008
Enterprises are plotting a course to save money and at the same time, help the environment by minimizing networking power consumption with Nortel's(1) (TSX: ...
P2 Energy Solutions Announces the Release of Enterprise Land™ 2.5 Business Wire (press release)
all 19 news articles

ZDNet
Firefox 3 and community — How Mozilla used social networking to ...
ZDNet - 16 hours ago
As more social networking venues have opened up and expanded to businesses, Mozilla has adapted to putting up appropriate channels and resources. ...

HOK Sport Venue Event Selects XO Communications for Home Run ...
CNNMoney.com - 21 hours ago
XO Communications (OTCBB: XOHO) today announced that it has successfully delivered a nationwide IP-based wide area networking solution to HOK Sport Venue ...

Pringo Adds Micro-Blogging to Social Networking Solutions
Market Wire (press release) - 15 hours ago
This marks the first white label social networking platform which allows customers to employ Twitter-like functionality. Micro-blogging merges the ...

Google Unveils Home-like Social Networking App for Facebook, MySpace
Shacknews - 12 hours ago
Built with social networking web site integration in mind, Lively allows player-designed rooms to be embedded within a user's page on such sites as Facebook ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Networking - How To Do It