Networking is a two-way street. I really can not say it enough. Many people think, “I need new clients. I need more money. I need to network!” While all of that might be true, don’t just network when you need something. As you work on your goals for networking (you are working on them, right?), make sure you also keep in mind ways that YOU can help others. What do YOU bring to the table?
Making everything about what others can do for you or give to you is the quickest way to see your network dry up. Wondering why the …read more

Continuing our series of “What happens if you’re sitting next to…..” detailing what kinds of people you end up sitting with at a networking event, and what to do about it.
The Snobs
People who think they’re too good for the event. Don’t bother wondering why they showed up, it’s because they don’t have anything better to do. But you wouldn’t know it by all the big-name appointments with well-to-do potential clients and all the great deals in the pipeline.
Share your business or job qualifications with them like you would anyone else. They may seem bored, and they may …read more

The Philly Inquirer ran an ad that directed you to www.flyderrie-air.com – while it looked real, it was not.  It was created "by Philadelphia Media Holdings to test the results of advertising in our print and online products and to stimulate discussion on a timely environmental topic of interest to all citizens."
You know, I was laughing for a good solid ten minutes before I even thought to look farther into the fake ad to see it was a carbon-neutral aircraft.
Then I scrolled down farther so I could be shown how entrenched fat-hatred (and the assumption that fat-discrimination is somehow …read more

Don’t you love the word obtuse? While I’m a big fan of the word, I think it’s the kiss of death in networking. If no one understands what you do, no one is going to hire you. It’s really just that simple.

If you are having trouble describing what you do (or your company does) without jargon or 20-point Scrabble® words, you need to figure it out before you go out of business. A great way to practice is on a family member, friend, or Networking Buddy that may not understand what you do. Anyone that will be willing to …read more

My favorite part of this video is the end. When people pay attention to everything but the person they’re talking to, the odds are they really don’t realize what they’re doing or how utterly rude they’re being.
The worst part is, because the man didn’t address the issue with the woman, she will now tell others she networks with that he was rude. I think that while the woman is ultimately at fault for not focusing on who she’s talking to at the moment, he could use a bit of improvement on his side.
A simple, “Are you looking for …read more

Video series part three…another fun video on how not to network.

I’m not sure if the guy has alcohol breath or just bad breath – either way, if you know you’re going to be drinking, or eating, or consuming coffee, or you have been known to take the paint off a wall with your breath, bring mints.
Not gum. You don’t want to be chomping at the bit all night slurping and making gum noises (ick) – just mints.
Oh, and respect other people’s personal space, when you talk to them, you shouldn’t see hair moving!
Oh wow, I actually missed …read more

There are five networking faux pas highlighted in this 39 second video:

She ditched someone she just met.
She insulted the person she is introducing the interior designer to.
She made the I can’t be bothered to remember all this face when she explained what the new person does to the referral.
She told the person she just met to discount her services for the referral.
She thinks she just referred business to the person she just met.

The ditcher is one of the worst people in networking, because they think they’re an expert. Because they’ve introduced themselves to everyone in the room, it makes …read more

We all know about six degrees of separation – if you’re on LinkedIn, you’ll know more about it than most because you’ll see invitations coming through you to be introduced to friends of friends. When you need to find someone that can help you in your business, from startup to cash flow, you may already know the person you need to be talking to…through someone you already know.
Examine Your Business Cards
Take a few minutes and go through the people you know. Who do they know? Do you know? Call a few of the contacts you’re closer to and ask …read more

No matter what you look like, you will inevitably find yourself in a situation where you’re the only one that looks like you. Sometimes this can be a scary feeling. It tends to be human nature to stick around people we’re familiar with and whether the difference is race or sex or even weight – feeling like you’re the only one can make you nervous.
Find Similarities
You and I both know that under the surface people are people, and finding what makes you similar with others can be a great way to start. If you’re at a networking event, chances are …read more

So you were at an event and you talked to someone for way too long about your childhood dog getting hit by a car.
Now it’s the next day and you’re sure that person is never going to want to talk to you again, because you are sure they think you are crazy.
Should you try to contact them, or should you give up and move on…hoping the person you told your tale of woe to won’t spread it around to the rest of the people they meet forevermore?
Boundaries, shame, and recognizing if you made a mistakeWhen you share things …read more