Networking or notworking?

Networking to anyone can seem highly intimidating and I have personally struggled with it for years. I am first and foremost a creative person and most creatives do not have the type A personality to work a room like our sales counterparts. We comprehend our visuals, analyze our creative thoughts and process (might I say) some brilliant results but conversation... not so much.

Tonight I was the co-host of the Networking for Professionals Shakers and Stirrers Chicago Chapter at Texas de Brazil on Ohio and Rush. My co-host and Best Selling Author's Executive Director (and good client) and I set up the room and prepared for our networkers to arrive.

I must say this seemed like a less intimidating place to be. I knew my part. Greeter. I would welcome attendees warmly, ask for their business card, and ask them a little bit about their business. And from the other side of the table it seemed like it was on my turf. I could handle this. Interesting.

However, when I have before approached the room without the table and little prepared information in front of me I felt different. Naked. Again, interesting. Because what I have found is that when I am without preparation I am vulnerable. But, when I am prepared with a strategy I could introduce myself to the world and feel confident.

When you network you must enter the event with a strategy.

First, have enough business cards. There is nothing worse that someone showing up to an event with 5 business cards and saying, "Oh I just ran out..." there is no and I mean NO excuse for not having business cards. They are literally cheaper than a cab ride and each precious one could have the potential to gain you a potential client. There is nothing more unprepared or frustrating then running into someone in business card empty. It is like they were running on E and too stupid to stop for more and ran out of gas. I just shudder to think how they would run a business. Ok, enough said.

Two, have your elevator speech down. This means 30 seconds to a minute MAXIMUM! Do not dominate the conversation OR even worse have nothing better to say. Have a pleasant hello, your point across and (most importantly) a filter to say, "Time to move on." One of the best phrases of advice I ever heard was, "You are not meant to do business with everyone and everyone is not meant to do business with you." So stop wasting someone's time if you are in a position that will never reap results. It is great to make the connection because you never know who-might-know-whom. But don't hold someone captive. This is not your personal stage production.

Lastly, make at least 2 great connections before the end of the event. I always say that if you meet at least 2 people that you left a lasting impression on you have done a great job. It is all about quality not quantity and if you are working the room trust me, people will know. Don't be like the dog out to sniff out the best treat. It will be apparent that you are all about what you can do for them and what they can do for you. This is really about relationships. That is what a lot of people who network don't understand. When you are ready to do business who are you going to call? The networker who was practically humping your leg over a good ear rub or someone who genuinely listened and showed interest and knowledge in your business? I think we both know the answer.

Networking doesn't have to be a dog and pony show. You really can go to a networking event with the steps I have suggested and walk away confident in the knowledge that you have successfully networked. And one more thing, follow-up, follow-up, follow-up the next day. It is like being out on a date and not calling the next day. And no one wants to be that guy.