9 Major Networking No-No’s
There are a lot Networking Do’s out there; we have jumped on that band wagon and provide a steady stream of networking how to’s, to name a few: 6 Ways to Increase Your Network, Simply Ways to Keep Your Network from Growing Cold, 7 Ways to Improve Internal Networking and 6 Tips for Networking at a Trade Show. On the other hand, there are not a lot of articles that talk about networking don’ts! We thought today, a #FunFriday, would be a good time to change that.
The following list may be obvious at times, may even be humorous, but just like in the how to network articles, you will learn something. Sometimes you need to know how to not do something before you fully understand how to do it.
Nine Networking Mishaps:
1. Drinking Too Much: Don’t be that person at the event who has been “over-served,” save the hard partying for your friends.
2. Being A Card Shark: If you take a card, follow up every time. Don’t waste their time and your reputation by not.
3. Having Cold Body Language: Body language is just as important as what you say. Make people think you want to be there even if you don’t and your feet hurt. Don’t cross your arms and don’t block people out of conversation.
4. Interrupting: You may really want to talk to someone that is already engaged in a conversation but so do other people. Stand back, make eye contact, smile and wait. Your time will come.
5. Not Listening: Don’t monopolize the conversation but instead listen to what those around you are really saying and respond. Give and take makes a balanced and awesome conversation.
6. Being A Pushy Salesperson: Networking is not always about going to find new clients, sometimes its about new colleagues or connections. So if the right connections aren’t there for a new client, don’t push it. Instead work on extending your network.
7. Constantly Talking About Your Business: No one wants to just talk about you, and you will know the right moment to share your business cards. The time is not always right to talk shop, even if you are at a work event.
8. Being Lazy: Follow up after you meet someone at an event with a quick email or Linkedin connection.
9. Not Being Prepared: Go into an event prepared. Do research on the topic and the types of people that will be there so that you have educated conversation topics prepared.
These Networking No-No’s were pulled from an adapted from a list on entrepreneur.com by Maren Hogan.