As a business owner of over 25 years I've been to my share of networking meetings and events.  I hated almost every second of them!  More on that in a minute...

Now before you start calling me 😽 names I'll be the first to admit that I'm more of an introvert that would rather keep to myself.  Not good for business!

But... networking is necessary, we just do it wrong.

Your success relies on your relationships and you need to work at building relationships.  In fact, you need to work on leveling up the types of relationships you build.  Get out of your comfort zone and try to meet those ahead of you.  Watch them.  Listen to them.  Learn from them.

Do NOT just try to TAKE from them!

This is why I hate most networking events.  Too many takers.  And, yes... I've done it too.

Have you ever heard that you are either consumer or producer?  I call them givers and takers.

You either are trying to give to the world or you expect the world to give to you.

The part I hate in networking is the room full of takers.  They act like everyone came to buy whatever shit they are selling (usually insurance, financial advice, real estate, loans etc...) and are not interested in anyone else or their businesses.  

It is basically business owner x introducing themselves to biz owner y and saying "Hi, buy my shit! ... But I'm not going to buy your shit!  Let's meet for coffee so I can try to make you buy my shit without buying your shit"  And on and on... in a nutshell.

The desperation!  It's not much different that a man walking up to a woman at a bar and just saying "will you marry me..."  Dude, buy me a drink.  Let's get to know each other a little.  Don't be so desperate.

I don't think I can fix networking events but maybe I can help fix your networking.  Next time you go to a networking meeting or you are online (this works great on social media)... just try to give.  Give value.  (I hate that term because it is overused in marketing but it is what you should do). Give great advice.  Share great information.  Help everyone in the room that you can.  You can truly make an impact on people by sharing your influence first.

Just help as many people as you can and they'll feel the need to return the favor.  Maybe it's just an introduction to someone else.  Don't hold back!  Be a giver.

Shut out the takers!

So tell me, what do you think of networking events.  Is it just me?  🙂