I can hear you saying it now; networking is a waste of time.  It makes you fat.  The early morning starts leave you tired.  There is little or no return on investment for your membership, breakfasts or whatever you have been persuaded to buy.

Here is a question for you…. Why do you do it?

The two main reasons always seem to be, everyone else is doing it and the next event might, just might be THE ONE!

Dream on.

My waist, my wallet and the bags under my eyes are all testament to the fact that Networking Sucks! Years and years of it.  Rubber chicken, cold greasy breakfasts, cheap warm white wine and the game of avoid certain people... I could go on. Plus, nobody buys anything, it just a waste of time, money and effort.

Or is it?

Why does it all go so horribly wrong for some people? Why do some networkers get so much from it and others just make up the numbers?

Here are the top 5 secrets to Networking:

Secret No. 1 – Get focused
The opening of a packet of chocolate biscuits is not a major event and doesn't need to be attended to fulfil your grand strategic networking objectives.  Get real, target events based on the people that are or may be attending them.  Are these people your target market or are you just going along for a jolly?
Find networks that will tell you who is attending before a meeting so that you can ensure that you will maximise the opportunity meet only the people you want to.

Secret No. 2 – Set Goals and Objectives
If you don’t have any objectives how will you know if the event has been a success for your business?
Set some goals for example: "to meet two new copywriters" or "get an introduction to the chairman of XXX Ltd".
Clear simple objectives will help you keep focused (see rule number 1!)
Don’t fall into the trap of leaving with a pocket full of business cards, or having shaken hands with over ten people you don’t want to meet again!

Secret No. 3 - It's not over when it's over!
When the event is over and you're walking away having achieved your objectives, this is just the beginning…
Less then 10% of people follow - up with the contacts they have made!
It is your responsibility to call or contact them.  Just because you had a good conversation with a Copywriter at the event, doesn’t mean they will call you.  They will have their own objectives.
Take responsibility for all your networking contacts.  Take action to follow up with them.  You will have a far richer networking experience.

Secret No. 4 – Listen
The golden rule of networking is to make new contacts and build relationships.  In order to do this you have to listen to what other people have to say and what they offer.  Networking isn’t about selling your services.  It is about showing the other person how you can help them and vice versa.
Next time you go networking, start by asking the person you are talking to “to explain what they do”.  You will be surprised what happens.

Secret No. 5 - Build Credibility
Quality business referrals start to flow though word of mouth recommendations. 
When you are out networking you are the tangible element of your business and to coin a phrase from an advert “you need to do what it says on the tin”.
Highly credible and reputable network members will, in due course, expect to receive the support of good word-of-mouth recommendation to others.  That's the point at which business referrals will start to flow and that's like business Nirvana!

Call back soon for more of the rules that might just help to prove that the new way of networking does not suck!