My view is that when we are networking in a group that we all need to partcipate – for example there are some Facebook groups that I have and belong to..when a post is posted like it’s Twitter day, everyone will list their llink, however not everyone will reciprocate..why not? Maybe they don’t know how, or they would rather receive than give or ?

By participating you get to meet a whole new group of people and you start to follow each other, Re-tweet others posts..it’s just so cool how by promoting other people that you become better recognized and appreciated. We all want more friends, don’t we? It seems we have many followers and associates just not friends.

Be interesting to see people’s persepctive on this one.

If you want to develop you and your business you need to interact. Quite often I get the most when I engage with other people..some people are shy some stand back and wait for people to come to them. Many times we get more out of a networking meeting when we just jump in and participate.. If there is someone you are attracted to, go ove and chat with them or pick up the phone and talk to them. By helping other people meet other people, they will appreciate the introductions.

How can you improve your networking results?

• Be enthusiastic, be helpful, enjoy what you are doing even if you are uncomfortable. In your uncomforable-ness you discover how much you really enjoy meeting with people.

Just today, I was speaking with a guy who was transitioning into something new and introduced himself as his new gig, it’s great to hear and allow people to practice their new spiel. As long as I have been networking, there isn’t a best time to practise your new tag line, or what you want to do. Anytime is a good time. Some people think that by going to events without a perfect presentation it’s a waste of time.

• Keep practising what you do and saying what you say gives other people an opportunity to get to know you more. You show up as who you are..we need to get over our perfectionism.

And it’s great to get feedback from what you are saying. If no one responds then you know that it’s not a good fit for you. If someone asks you a question about what you just said, isn’t it cool when they are interested in what you have to say?

• If you are nervous of going to a network by yourself grab a friend, work the room and share contacts.
• Be interested in other people and what they have to say. One of the groups that I go to, do a Tic-Tac-Toe networking when you first arrive at the meeting. You go around and introduce yourself to nine other people, find out who they are, what they do and what or who they are looking for today. Maybe there is a particular company or vertical market or person that they want to be connected to.. You could even do this excerise for yourself and work the room.
• Have a goal of the number people you want to meet…and if they aren’t at the function you are at then ask for introductions to people they may know.

I am sure just these few tips will help you..if you have a few of your own, please share them on my facebook page…let’s get a discussion going, ok?

Networking is worth it, it just depends on what you are seeking out of the experience. what is your take?

Mari-Lyn Harris