5 Networking Mistakes You’re Making

There are right and wrong ways of networking, networking means building mutually beneficial relationships. If you only network part time change your mindset eliminate these mistakes that ruin the networking experience for you.

1. Only networking during group events

Networking can occur at any place, any time. Don’t limit your networking activity to professional meetings. All you need to do is be open to the possibilities of meeting someone new. The next time you leave your home, consider it a networking experience.

2. Only networking when you need a job

The truth is that you can’t wait until you need a job to begin networking. Building a network takes time. If you wait until you are in crisis mode to put networking into action, you’ll be disappointed in the results. Professionals, from small business owners to corporate leaders, realize the importance of word-of-mouth marketing and regularly carve networking into their schedules.

3. Avoiding social networking sites

Real relationships can and do result from initial interaction on social media. As a matter of fact, social media is a great way to expand your network and meet people you would never have met otherwise. Begin by adding a comment to a discussion, sharing the person’s work or simply tweeting them a question.

4. Never following up

If you’ve been busy building your network but haven’t followed up with any of your new contacts, it is easy for people to forget you – or worse, you may give the impression you are using people. It is up to you to stay in touch. Treat each new person you meet like a potential best friend.

5. Leaving a negative impression

Your only mission when meeting a new person is to make him or her feel like he or she is the most important person you’ve met that day. Be polite, smile, use his or her name and ask lots of questions. This may be the only chance you get to make the right first impression.