Don’t Waste Your Time on Networking Events

Large business networking events are traditional, and the question often is not whether you should attend, but how to make the most of such events when you do attend. Theoretically, they’re one of the best ways to grow your business. The problem is that you’re probably not getting the consistent results you’d like because your success is directly tied to your ability to interact with people looking for the exact same things as you are. Networking can be defined as any activity that increases the value of your network or the value you contribute to it. The best way to do this is to avoid traditional networking events almost entirely. Some alternative strategies are: host your own get-togethers, giving you more control; double date – invite a client to an event, and ask them to bring someone they think you should meet, while you do the same; and reconnect with dormant ties, such as former classmates and any contacts from a previous career.