How to get the most from your business networking

How to get the most from your business networking

What Networking Means to Me

Networking isn’t about handing out business cards or pitching your services to a room full of strangers. It’s about creating meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships with like-minded professionals. At its core, networking is about helping others succeed.

As the legendary Zig Ziglar once said:

“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”

Before You Enter the Room…

When attending your next networking event or considering joining a business networking group, keep these five key principles in mind:

1. Understand Your Purpose for Being There

The real purpose of networking is relationship-building, not just to achieve quick wins. Instead of asking, “What can I sell?” focus on “Who can I support?” This shift in mindset is essential for effective networking and is the reason it tops this list.

2. Be Patient

Don’t expect business to come your way immediately after paying your membership fee or attending your first event. During my networking skills workshops, I often remind attendees not to expect any business for the first 12 months. Why is that? Because building trust takes time. Developing relationships requires patience. Recommendations will only come when people truly believe in you.

While you might experience a lucky break, it’s not wise to depend on luck. Instead, focus on consistency.

3. Show Up to Grow Your Network

Remember the old lottery slogan, “You’ve got to be in it to win it”? The same principle applies to networking.

To achieve results, it’s important to show up consistently. People need to see you, hear from you, and get to know you over time. This doesn’t only mean attending events; showing up can also involve sharing valuable content, posting insightful articles on networking platforms, or highlighting offers available to members. These actions maintain your visibility between meetings and establish you as someone who provides value. Increased visibility builds credibility, and credibility fosters trust.

4. Don’t Be That Networker

We’ve all met them; the pushy, self-interested, card-slinging types who constantly try to promote themselves. Don’t be one.

Here are a few common networking mistakes to avoid:

• Being pushy – means forcing your business card on someone before a genuine conversation even begins.
• Not listening – tuning out because you don’t see any “value” in the person you’re speaking with.
• Scanning the room – breaking eye contact while searching for your next “target.”

If you want to be remembered positively, be present, be curious, and always ask if someone would like your card instead of assuming they do.

5. Follow-Up: This is Where the Magic Happens

Don’t let those business cards you’ve collected at networking events gather dust.
Within a few days of the event, make a follow-up phone call or send a friendly email. And don’t forget to connect on LinkedIn and continue the conversation.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: “The treasure lies in the follow-up”

Final Words

Networking is a long game, but it’s one worth playing. When done with the right intent, it leads to lasting relationships, trusted referrals, and genuine business opportunities.

If you’d like support with developing your networking skills or tackling other business challenges, please call me on 020 8337 5937 or send an email to gary@garymorgan.coach

Find out more about my sales training here.