Tweet

Business Networking is for the Birds.

Guest post by: Thomas J. Madden

Article Overview: Here are some tips on how to conduct yourself when birds of a feather flock together at networking sessions.

Business Networking is for the Birds.

Every time I see a flock of birds sitting one by one along a power line, it makes me think of networking. They seem to be all perched there waiting for worms.

There are those who are good at it . . . who get their worm and bag new business by just passing out and collecting cards like they're a plough turning up potatoes in a potato field.

Those are the stalwarts who bravely attend networking events, business card exchanges, Chamber of Commerce breakfasts (ugh) and they actually meet and greet prospects who occasionally become clients.

For me it's for the birds. I loathe it. If the whole purpose of going somewhere is just to shake hands and distribute cards, I'd rather perch on a power line.

However, if you're good at it, you're high energy and you have a winning smile, a magnetic personality and a great business proposition to offer, then go for it.

Here are few simple rules, however.

Never hand anyone your card until they ask for it, otherwise it's pushy.

If someone hands you their card, look at it for a few seconds before putting it in your pocket. You're allowed even to make some notes on it to help you remember later on what the person looked like.

Don't just introduce yourself, but introduce people you've just met to other people and you'll be much appreciated at a networking event.

Cast shyness to the winds. Be bold, stick your hand out, keep your tongue in, make sure there's no food on your face.

Be bold, but not obnoxiously bold as if meeting you would be the highlight of someone's evening.

Remember you're not running for office so it's not the quantity of hands you shake, but the quality. Look to meet people who look and act like prospects for whatever you're selling. If you're offering PR services like I do, try to identify people who own businesses rather than just work for them.

Soon as someone tells you they're a Realtor, tell them it was a pleasure and move on immediately. Most of the people I've met at networking parties in Florida are selling real estate since just everyone in Florida has a real estate license, including me.

Try to make people laugh. It's the best ice breaker ever invented.

Have an agenda as to what you want your networkees to know or remember about you after you move on to your next prey.

Don't look like you're any more hungry for business than your being there suggests. That's the problem with networking sessions. Everyone there looks like they haven't fed for a while or why else would they all be perched on that power line?

If you happen to see Donald Trump, don't try to shake his hand like I did one night at Mar-a-Lago, as he doesn't carefor the germs you may be handing out.

Related Articles
  iPhone Top Rated Application
  Putting True Discovery back into Keyword Research Volumes
  That Zero Gravity Instinct
  Eight Below for Devotion, Loyalty and Teamwork
  The Turkeys We Send To D.C.
  Saving birds using ether?!
  From Here, Now Where? What’s Not Working and What Will
  Walking the Talk
  The mysterious case of the gun shy salesman...
  Whose Feather Are You Flying With?
  Are You "Making Out" With Your Sales Mirror?
  Networking Mistake Myopia
  I Can Do It!
  Endless Referrals
  Networking Tips for Introverts or How to Break The Ice Without Fear of Falling Through
  Live Consultant Thinking: Some Essence of Managerial Skills
  NETWORKING ISNT SELLING OR IS IT
  Three Little Birds Tweet by my Window
  "Just Ask the Geese"
  Should you join a networking group?

Article Tags: business, business card exchange, events, introductions, networking, shaking hands, soliciting business



Related Forum Posts
Re: Make Friends...Literally BUILD them! - I agree! Networking is definitely the key word here. What does everyone feel about the different Networking platforms out there? Twitter Facebook LinkedIn what are some others?
My entry - 1. The Best Business Books Ever: The 100 Most Influential Business Books You'll Never Have Time to Read - this is a fascinating book about the history of Business theory, and I'd recommend it to anybody. 2. The Big Book of Small Business: You Don't Have to Run Your Business by the Seat of Your Pants, by Tom Gegax. Ditto. 3. PADI: The Business of Diving Book Okay, so this book won't be of use to anyone who doesn't want to start a scuba store, but I did, and this book was of course invaluable to me in reaching that goal.
Marketing 2012 - I am interested in what works for you in 2012, Social Networking, Search Engine traffic, Blogs, Articles, Forums, what? This is a quote from a 2009 Topic "Twitter, Social Networking, What is your Method? From my experience, social networking traffic (Twitter included) also converts at a far lower rate than search engine traffic. Evan Is this still true, or do you use something that gives us better returns and conversions
Re: How can a social networking site make serious money? - Hi There, It is quite interesting, that some Social Networking do produce an income. I think testimonials are always a benefit to share. See one below: This Social Network has changed my life! Every night is a Friday night and everyday is a Saturday!! Because of it, I have been able to leave the workforce 10 years early.It has given me back my life. Many of us would like to retire early. I am sure there are many more. The point is of focusing with great determination. The ongoing challenge is to stay focussed and not be sidetracked into a newer scheme or so. Also I have read, during this financial turmoil, more people turn to Social Networking for various reasons.
Re: Make Friends...Literally BUILD them! - [quote="burnsrunner":1zobscwk]I agree! Networking is definitely the key word here. What does everyone feel about the different Networking platforms out there? Twitter Facebook LinkedIn what are some others?[/quote:1zobscwk] I am on Twitter and Linkedin, have not joined Facebook yet as my time is fairly limited and one needs a lot of time to devote to all these various networking platforms. Unless you do this full time (the networking I mean). MichelleJ


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Induction – your first management job

Death by Micromanagement

Maximum Impact Restaurant Greening

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.