1. Don’t go to networking events with friends.
Too often, people are intimidated by networking events, so they ask friends to come along. Then they spend the whole event talking to no one but the people they already know. I try to make a point to go to networking events by myself when I can. This forces me to branch out and meet new people, and I’ve made some really amazing connections this way.
2. Don’t try to meet everyone in sight; curate connections instead.
I used to introduce myself to lots of people at networking events, gathering business cards so I could call them later. Then I realized that a brief conversation doesn’t really develop a relationship, and calling people you’ve only met briefly isn’t much different from cold calling them. Now, I make sure to spend good quality time with a few people rather than a little time with a lot of people.
3. Don’t waste time with sales-oriented people.
I’ve learned not to spend too much time networking with people who are solely concerned with selling me on something.
4. Don’t be a stalker.
I never practice stalker networking, which may be defined as endlessly pursuing contact with someone who has not responded to you. I follow the 3/6 rule of networking: Contact a new person (online, never by phone) three times in a period of six weeks. If you don’t hear back, move on to someone more receptive.
5. Don’t be a card spammer.
It’s never a good idea to work a room by handing out your cards or to quickly toss your card to someone who’s not asked for it (it will likely get thrown away in that case). It’s important to build a rapport with someone before you take the step of offering a card or asking for a further action like a meeting.
6. Don’t be subtle. Be explicit.
When a lot of people network, they’re afraid to step up and accomplish what they want to do or say. As somebody who’s sometimes on the other side of that, it’s annoying. When people are clear with me and tell me exactly what they want, I always want to help. When somebody’s trying to be subtle, it hurts my ability to provide whatever benefit they’re looking to achieve in the networking.
7. Don’t hound the speakers.
The speaker is getting a lot of attention, but many times the people who can and are most willing to help you are not on stage–they are sitting beside you. Don’t think the speaker is the only one who can change your life.