Networking is not a spectator sport. As Ed Poll states in a recent post “Networking is not net-resting,” he makes it clear that networking requires work. As he puts it, effective networking requires that you:
-work the room
-work the rolodex
-work the telephone, etc.
Networking is No. 9 on my list of top 10 best marketing practices. The idea is to contact the people you know and to meet as many new people as you can who might become clients or referral sources. The idea is to meet people who can introduce you to people who can introduce you to people who…..you get the idea. If you aren’t real comfortable meeting people, try introducing yourself to someone who is standing alone in the room, and who is probably just as uncomfortable as you. “So, what brings you here, Cherie” is as good a start as any. Remember networking is a contact sport.