I have been involved in Networking for a long time now. I would like to reflect on the issues I have found over that time.

It seems that wherever I go, people I deal with do not understand what Business Networking is all about. The reason that you Network with others in business is not to sale them on your business.

What, wait, not sell them on my business.

That's correct.

When you are networking with others in business your primary goal should be to sell them on you. I know everyone has heard it said over and over again, people don't care about your product, but they will care about you. There is a lot more to it than that. People will care about you, but they will also come to understand you as a person of integrity and honor as well.

At that point they will be interested in the product you have because someone they trust is offering it. Sometimes they do not see a need for themselves, but they will see the need for others and will happily refer you to these others. The referrals are what you are looking for. If your goal is to sell them on your product, that is fine. But, they will know you as pushy and not want to refer you to anyone. If you are that pushy person and want to make connections that can lead to more sales, get a new attitude. If you can't change, at least try to fake it. If that is not even possible, then best of luck. You will make sales, but you will have to continue to make them one on one.

I really do enjoy going to Networking events. I meet nice people with businesses I would like to know more about. I usually collect a lot of business cards. I can't figure out though, why they waste their money on cards. The business cards have a contact number and an e-mail address most of the time. I try to contact as many people as I can. When I contact them I usually ask to meet with them and talk about our businesses. I have found that I will get responses from about five percent of the people I contact. Of those I get to meet with maybe one of the five percent. They always say the same thing. It is getting pretty tiring. They say they are too busy and can't find the time.

I guess I can be happy for them that they are so busy. I guess they don't really need my business or business referrals. I want to meet and find out more about their business. Of course I am going to tell them about my business. But that is the trade. I tell you about my business, you tell me about yours. It seems they are afraid to hear about other people's businesses. I am supposed to look at their business card and know that I need the product they are offering. I'm sorry; that is a bunch of bull. People need to interact with other people. If you will not meet with me, I am sure I will meet someone else doing the same thing you are. Networking is a person to person proposition. If you are not willing to meet with others, quit wasting your money on business cards and quit wasting my time.

Of course, when I receive a lot of business cards, I give out a lot of business cards. I said I get responses from about five percent of the people I call. Well, the percentage of people that call me is even lower than that. Each Networking event I go to I will get contacted by maybe one person. Wow, has no one heard the phrase "The fortune is in the follow-up?" I want to meet with people. That is what Networking is about. It is frustrating, that people do not understand that. Either that or they really don't care that much about growing their business.

I have met people over the years that are not Networking to build their business. Their purpose is strictly for social interaction. That is ok. But, there are plenty of groups out there that are social groups. A good place to search for social groups on the Internet would be http://www.meetup.com. Meetup has groups for almost every type of activity available. I enjoy meeting people and belong to groups at Meetup just for that reason. I am sorry to say that I wish those people not trying to work their business would find social interaction elsewhere. I know some people are saying, "but you can present your business to them. That should be reason enough for them to be in your Networking group". That could be true if it were not for the percentages I mentioned earlier in the article. The numbers show that these people do not meet with you. If they did I would be all for them being there.

In the end I think that most people do not have a solid grasp into what Networking is all about. So, please get back to those of us that call you. It is not rude at all to say that you do not think our product is for you. But it is rude to just ignore us. And, you might make a sale. What have you go to lose? Thank you and great success.