5 Stupid Networking Practices That Need To Be Banned
The time you spend networking is valuable. Stop wasting it doing these ill-mannered and outdated business networking activities.
Elevator Pitches
There is a time and place for everything.
In a room full of investors, nailing your elevator pitch is important.
But if you’re in a networking group that meets once a week and you’re seeing everyone for the hundredth time, pitches get incredibly redundant.
We know what you do.
Stop sounding like a robot.
The solution?
Try presenting a fresh perspective on you, your company, or industry.
Or, share a funny story, make an exciting announcement, discuss important news or trends, give a shoutout to someone new, or simply ask for a favor … whatever it takes to show your unique persona that highlights the passion, grit, expertise, and competence in what you do.
Your networking group will thank you for it.
The bottom line …
Ditch the pitch.
Selling
Do you want a foolproof way of driving people away at networking events?
Start by selling to them.
Like elevator pitches, there’s a time and place to sell.
And selling while networking is not one of them.
Instead, set up one-on-one meetings with your target prospects.
Even then, focus on educating and solving problems rather than hard-selling and using antiquated closing techniques.
The bottom line …
Jell don’t sell.
Business Cards
I know … I know … business cards are still important and you should always be prepared to hand them out to important partners or prospects.
But the times I see professionals passing them around to random people they don’t even bother to talk to makes me cringe.
Worse, doing it while a meeting is happening or someone is talking.
Wait until you sit down for one-on-one meetings to swap cards, not during your networking events or group meetings.
The bottom line …
Discard the card.
Smartphones
Wait, smartphones made this list?
Yes.
So, you actually want me to leave my smart phone in the car or at home when I attend networking events?
No.
I want you to turn them off.
Put them away … leave them in your jacket, pocket, briefcase, or purse.
Unless it involves an app or feature that is important to the event itself, there is no reason to have it out.
Do you want to make a person feel unimportant and insignificant?
Start scrolling though your phone as they are presenting, or worse, when they are talking directly to you.
The bottom line …
Leave the phone alone.
Dress Codes
It wasn’t long ago when the men in the room wore suits and ties and the women wore modest dresses.
But times have changed.
Thankfully, many professionals are encouraged to just be themselves these days.
Now, I’m not saying to dress like a slob or wear something inappropriate.
What I am saying is wear something that compliments your personality and profession.
Can you imagine if you invited Steve Jobs to a networking event and telling him there was a dress policy? (no black turtlenecks!)
Or Mark Zuckerberg? (no hoodies!)
Or Richard Branson? (no jeans!)
My point is that everyone is different.
People need to keep their creative edge.
And how they dress is part of that.
The bottom line …
Dress your best for success.
👋
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
- Mike
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