What Kind of Networker are You?

Networking is a broad term that has different meanings for people.  People network for different reasons.  So, what does networking mean to you?  What kind of networker are you?

Sales Networker

If you are a sales professional, the main reason you network with people is, you guessed it, to generate sales.  When you go to networking events, you tend to focus more on meeting people who are interested in what you have to sell. 

For the most part, you are comfortable talking with almost anyone.  This is a good trait to have, not only for sales, but for meeting people.  You are usually the person who can start a conversation with no problem.  Because of this, you know how to work the room well.

One common issue with the sales networker is that you sometimes go to events more one-sided because you are looking for clients and not as focused on helping others.  So, if someone can’t help you either by becoming a customer or generating a lead, you don’t always care about building a relationship.

Be careful about being overly aggressive in this way because some sales professionals give networking a bad name.  Regardless, networking is a crucial element to sales.

Relationship Networker

If you are a relationship networker, then you are concerned about meeting people and building relationships for the long term.  You are genuinely interested in talking with people and want to know how you can help.

You are the least selfish networker because your main goal is help others first.  You know that this is important for building sustainable and long term relationships.  In addition, you enjoy trying to find ways that you can connect with each other on a regular basis whether it is meeting for lunch, making referrals, or emailing information.

A relationship networker is someone who ends up developing a positive personal brand because of your generosity and wealth of contacts.

Passive Networker

You are the person who is uncomfortable attending networking events because you have a difficult time talking to people who you don’t know.  You are not comfortable when you are out of you element.  You are generally a wall flower and don’t start any conversations with anyone.  You have to wait for someone to initiate the conversation.

However, you understand the value of meeting people so you force yourself to get out and meet people at business functions.  After awhile, you get more comfortable and usually come away with some new contacts.

You are a pleasure to talk to once you come out of you shell a little bit.  To get better, you need to talk to more people. Practice makes perfect.

Speed Networker

Speed networkers are the people who try to attend every networking event as possible.  Because you need to hit every event, you are into collecting as many business cards as you can.

Quite often you probably attend an event every night of the week, sometimes more than one in a day.  You are focused on talking to as many people as possible so you can try to connect with lots of people.

Much like the sales networker, you may be trying to sell something so your conversations may be more around what you have to offer.  Also, the relationships that you do build are more for the short-term because you don’t have the time to develop many relationships over the long term.

So, what kind of networker are you?  Any other types of networkers that you have come across?

Comments

[Andy Lopata]

Whatever the motivation, everyone should be a 'relationship networker'. One of my favourite sayings is 'pursue the relationship, not the sale'.

The more relationships you develop, the greater the rapport, trust and understanding you have with your network, the greater the potential networking offers you.

How many people genuinely go to networking events predominantly to buy from others? Unless they are 'meet the buyer' events, the answer is a tiny proportion. If no-one, therefore, is in buying mode, why would anyone go to a networking event to sell?

[Jason Jacobsohn]

Great comment Andy. I agree with you that every networker should strive to be a "relationship networker". However, not everyone has this mentality. Some of the people who give networking a bad name only try to network for themselves. For networking to be successful, both sides need to be engaged with each other by helping each other out.

[Melvin Ram]

I go to make friends... plan and simple. Sometimes it's having a crazy good laugh, soemtimes it's about connecting them with my other friends and sometimes they have a pain that needs fixing... & I'm the guy to fix it.

Do what you would with your college buddies. Think... and a have good time. That's it.

~ mel

[Jason Jacobsohn]

Good strategy. People tend to do business with people they consider friends. If you go to an event and be yourself, then that is the best. Also, if you treat everyone like a friend, then you will be easy to talk to.