Debunking 3 Myths of Networking

For some people, networking has a negative or misunderstand connotation. Below are 3 commonly mistaken myths about networking:

1. Networking is only for sales people – Networking gets a bad reputation because you will meet some people at events who only care about selling you something that day.  Networking is about building relationships of trust and credibility so the sales will happen naturally and not right away.

2. Networking is only for the extroverted – When attending events, you probably notice that some people are very comfortable talking with anyone. Be careful with these people because they may only talk about themselves and not really listen to what you are saying. Introverts, on the other hand, are good listeners so they may actually be easier to build relationships with after an event.

3. Networking is only about attending events – While there are numerous opportunities to meet new people at events, don’t spend all your time at events. Take the time to leverage your existing network to find the right people to talk with and get to know. You can be strategic about this, which can save you more time than attending a networking event.

What are some other myths that you can debunk?

If you like this blog post, then subscribe via email or RSS feed.

Comments

[Kathryn Neal Odell]

You are right on target with these networking myths Jason. What I see missing from most people's networking activity is a strategy that governs how you leverage your existing network of contacts as well as how you develop your new relationships. You only have so much time so you have to narrow your focus. Choosing and developing a core group of people where you share similar market segments enhances the number of referrals and is easier to manage.

[Jason Jacobsohn]

Yes, great additional thoughts Kathryn. I agree that you need to spend time with your core group of people to make things happen.

[Don Antonucci]

These myths of networking are very common. Building off of your list, I think some believe that if they are "networking" that they are perceived as looking to "get" something. As you've pointed out in other posts, networking is most powerful when you look to first give to your current and growing network of contacts. Sales and business results are more likely to happen once genuine trust and credibility with a contact has been established. Thanks for the post Jason.

[Jason Jacobsohn]

Thanks Don for your additional perspective. I agree that the term "networking" can sometimes have a negative perception. Networking is really about relationship building.