Six mistakes made at business networking events

When you consider that business networking events are about establishing relationships, it's surprisingly common to actually alienate those you meet. So how do you avoid making such mistakes?

Here are six mistakes you may be making at business networking events.

1. You look over shoulders

The person you have started talking to is not your ideal connection, so you gaze over their shoulder while they are talking to you to see who else might be in the room. The problem here is this person may be connected to someone who IS your ideal connection, but you will never know because you alienated them. 

2. You talk about yourself 99% of the time

Everyone wants others to be interested in them, but talking about yourself constantly is not the way to achieve this. People are more likely to be interested in you if you show genuine interest in them. Ask questions, display curiosity about who they are and what they do as this creates an authentic connection and leads them to be interested in you too.

3. You shake hands like a wet fish

This handshake is worse than the “knuckle cruncher” in my book. The “wet fish” portrays lack of strength and commitment. I never trust anyone with a “wet fish” handshake even though they might be the best at whatever it is they do. Not sure what kind of handshake you have? Ask someone you feel comfortable with to give you feedback.

4. Yours is the "SELL, SELL, SELL" approach

Business networking events are definitely not the time to try and sell your services. Doing this is a major turn off. Focus on building a meaningful initial connection. If you think there is potential business to be done suggest calling them in the next few days to meet for coffee.

5. You avoid eye contact

Eye contact is essential for building trust with people. Even if you feel shy it is important to make good eye contact.

6. You keep saying their name incorrectly

Fred, Frank, Fabio … they all start with “F” … close enough! People like their names and they really like to be called by their actual name! It may seem such a small point but it is critical to pay attention to names when you are being introduced to someone. If you are not clear on pronunciation ask for clarification, nobody will mind.

This list is by no means exhaustive so feel free to expand on it by leaving a comment about other ways you can alienate people at business networking events. Awareness is the first step in prevention. Happy networking!

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• Published 20 August 07
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11 comments | Add your own 1 2 | Next» View all»

• Great article! The best way to network is to focus on relationships which will help you the most in the long run. Quality over quantity! I am a member of a growing community which is centralized around a "Relationship System" which helps members develop these "focused" relationships. Jeremy from U.S.

• Thanks Linda. One thing that puts me off is when people are over the top about distributing their business cards i.e. they introduce themselves by handing out a card. In line with your point #4 and Jeremy's comments above it's quality not quantity - I think it's better to see if there's a genuine connection before reaching for the cards. Peter Crocker from Flying Solo | Read my articles

• Interrogating people is a sure-fire way to turn them off - casually asking about their work and interests is important, but the keyword is casually! Grant Hyman - www.salescentral.com.au from Sydney

• The thrust of these tips is that networking is about the other person, not about you.
  Dale Carnegie famously said "people are interested in people who are interested in them". That's not a bad rule to follow in networking Andy Lopata from Hertfordshire, UK

• Great posting. I have a few more to add. How about shaking hands with a wet cold hand from holding a wet cold glass? Or how about giving someone a business card that is scratched out or dirty? What about the person that takes calls on their cell phone?
  First impressions are so important, and so many people mess them up.
  Thank you for the post.
  Sharan Tash
  The Professional Networker Sharan Tash from Wilmette - USA

• Great article Linda, thank you! You're so right in what you've said! A really great book for people who are developing their networking skills is "Endless Referrals" by Bob Burg. It's available from most bookshops and covers so much material (including how to remember peoples names!) it's an invaluable resource!
  Melinda Brennan from Victoria, Australia

11 comments | Add your own 1 2 | Next» View all»

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