I sometimes get asked “What is the number one networking mistake?”. There are a few candidates! Talking too much, not asking questions and not following up would be just three. However, I think the No.1 mistake happens before the event even starts.
It’s when we don’t go. Now what I don’t mean is when we’re booked on an event, then have to call off due to illness, a not well child at home, a genuine emergency, etc. That happens to us all. Instead, I mean when we book, then call off because we’re too busy with everyday work ‘stuff’.
All busy people are busy. And lots of busy people go networking. But if we look for something else to do instead of going, we’ll always find something. Yet after almost every event we attend, we say we’re glad we attended!
There are lots of things we can do at an event – and afterwards – to make it as effective as possible. But it’s the commitment to go that’s the most important part. Without that, nothing else happens.