Every other article written on networking (and there are thousands!) is about how we are doing it all wrong. How we attend networking events and can’t control our gluttonous ways to collect cardboard trimmings with peoples names on them. It’s pretty safe to say that those who are serious about networking have now learned their lesson and are on a lean diet of relationship marketing only - no extra cards thank you! And yet, there are some networking habits that just can’t be shook. Below are the top three networking myths mostly everyone falls for. (And, no, I won’t be rehashing old news on how you need to be creating quality relationships. You’re a professional, you already know that.)
Myth #1: The Boundaries of Networking. When entering the business world you were told to go network and so you did. You bought cards, crafted a pitch and put on your fancy shoes. And, as you started to network you were introduced to the frameworks of networking. Whenever you were at a networking event you put your best smile on and learned how to answer the “what do you do?” question with ease and grace. After 2-3 hours of schmoozing you would leave and start planning your follow-ups. Sounds pretty good expect for the simple fact that there are actually no boundaries to networking. Most people feel they need to be at networking events to meet new people but the truth is all you have to do is turn to the person next to you in line and say hello. It’s just a lot easier to talk to strangers in a room where strangers expect to be meeting one another. But, don’t let that stop you. Reach outside your comfort zone and start connecting with people at your kid’s school, on the bus or in your office. Talking to strangers goes against everything we were taught as children which is why it can be so hard in the beginning. But trust yourself, you’re not as naive as your five year old self was.
Myth #2: Asking “What Do You Do?” As The New Hello. As with any other movement networking has taken on its own culture and with it its very own form of communication. At networking events you don’t say ‘How was Your Day?“ you say ”What do you do?“. Upon leaving you don’t say ”Goodbye!“ you say ”Hope to continue our chat and connect further!". And so on it goes until you are no longer saying what you want but what is expected of you in the given situation. So, how about being a rebel? I once challenged myself to spend an entire evening not asking a single person what they did professionally. I had more fun and built more meaningful relationships that evening then almost any other event I’ve attended. Because, as you might already have guessed, as much as you try to neatly sum up your life’s dreams in a 30 second pitch you'll never quite be able to articulate your soul. We are all wearing a minimum of ten hats a day and it’s okay to show them off every once in a while. Try using normal speak instead of networking speak at your next event (there is no law preventing you!) and you might be pleasantly surprised at the results you get.
Myth #3: Business Cards Act As Show Tickets. One of my favorite thing to watch is young entrepreneurs flashing their new business cards at networking events. They wave them around as proof that they too have a right to be networking. Because the underlying notion is that if you don’t have a business card then you aren’t serious enough to be in business. Truth is, sometimes business cards make you lazy. They can act as a pass or time-out with a lingering thought of “well they have my card so they can always reach out to me.” When networking, it’s safer to assume that almost no one will reach out to you but almost everyone will reply to you if you reach out to them. I sometimes purposely don’t take business cards in order to motivate myself to reach out to the lovely people I meet. I’ve also met people who no longer carry business cards and will just connect directly with you through LinkedIn. Either way, don’t assume that business cards are a necessity or much of a tool. And, instead challenge yourself to think of a system that works best for you.
What old habits has networking taught you? Write them below or email us at [email protected].
