Is Your Networking in Need of a Makeover?

If networking just doesn’t seem to work for you or benefit you, you have to step back and ask yourself a few questions:

  • If you’ve joined groups or networks, do you participate?
  • Have you initiated contact with members?
  • Do you share your expertise & knowledge?
  • Do you attend any events hosted by the groups or networks?
  • Do you reach out to people before you actually need something just to say hello or keep a connection going?

If the answer is “no” then yes, you’re doing it wrong. Networks only work to your benefit when you put in time and effort to make them work. Don’t sit on your butt waiting for results to fall at your feet. You’ve got to give to get. You’ve got to focus on the other party – help them to get what they need and/or want FIRST.You’ll be amazed at the return on investment you receive!I’ve seen many people approach networking, especially online/social networking in a “build it and they will come” manner. That doesn’t work, and in fact it only leads to failure. When you focus on giving FIRST, you are actually netweaving . . . sharing your knowledge and resources with another party with no immediate expectation of financial gain for you.  Isn’t that a cool concept?

Networking is about relationship building and trust. People like to help or do business with people they know, like and trust. I’m more inclined to refer someone if I know them and have communicated with them in some direct way. I will not go out of my way for a complete stranger. Why would I want to potentially destroy my reputation by referring someone that I have no clue as to what they do or more importantly, how they do it?

Posting articles in a forum is not the same as getting to know people or rather showing people who you are. There has to be dialog. I can read all the articles in every business magazine, and think they are wonderfully written and thought provoking. It doesn’t mean I’m going to run out and do business with writers.

Once you decide to network, you have to follow it through. Make yourself available and approachable. Position yourself so people want to seek you out. By the same token, reach out to people as individuals. Establish that rapport and continue cultivating it. Share your knowledge, but openly seek the knowledge of others too. It has to be a two way dialog in order for it to work and be successful.  Make sure you are connecting with people on many social networking sites – make it a point to introduce them to one (or more) of your networking friends whenever possible.

So how effective is your networking?There are less than 100 days left in 2009 – why not plan to finish strong by seeking out referrals, helping others wherever possible, increasing your value as well as your visibility!  As a Networking Coach, I help people just like you, learn how to make their networking efficient and effective.Want to know how this is done?Contact me – either by email or telephone – you can even Tweet me or post to my FaceBook page! An initial consultation of 15-20 minutes is offered at no charge.You make the decision as to whether or not working with a Networking Coach is appropriate for you.

Follow me on Twitter!  http://twitter.com/caroldeckert

Connect with me on LinkedIn!  http://www.linkedin.com/in/caroldeckert

Leave a comment below and tell me where you are networking so I can be sure that we connect.  I love to meet and help people.  Will you allow me to help you?


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