Worse than Cold Calling ~ Networking?

Does face to face networking make your palms sweat? Want to run for cover…

Unless you are employed as a number cruncher and have been given an inside cubicle; and/or your contact with the outside world is through a mail slot or your computer monitor – whether you like it or not – you have to get out there and meet people to grow your business.

As my better half often reminds me, “No one can see you behind that monitor – you’ve got to get out there and let them see your lovely (thank you) face. I realize you know your industry inside and out, you are hardworking, and you make work seem like fun. But no one else does unless you get out there and show yourself”.

Yes, I do live with and know, a logical and smart man. But I’m not sure he realizes what those round robin networking events are like. The speed at which business cards move between hands and people sashay around a room. I’ve witnessed people who looked as though they had to muster up their courage to attend networking events, made it to the threshold, and turned on their heels and left.

Funnily enough, networking is like public speaking – if you are not passionate about you and your service and/or product – no one else will be.

I’m sure most people struggle as I do with wanting to make connections with like-minded people who authentically want to create mutually beneficial working relationships. And with people you like and respect.

Thank you to Imelda, who clearly articulated (in a Forbes Woman LinkedIn discussion) what I have been thrashing about with. Having the confidence to bring the real me to the table and not be massaged into believing that I ‘need’ to behave in a ‘certain’ way at these opportunities to meet others.

It is my new year’s resolution to grow my business by attending 2 networking events a week- dressed in a new couture – myself.

Have you ramped up your networking lately or is it your goal for 2010. Let us know how it went – your success and failures…

Tags: 2010, body language, cold call, Confidence, first impression, networking, success