If you are an entrepreneur, you have no doubt attended your share of networking events.
Attending these events is an excellent way to grow your business.
However, every business owner has at some point had the same fear cross their mind when they are about to attend a business-to-business networking event.
What if I get cornered by a terrible networker?
Or even worse… what if I am a terrible networker?
You definitely do not want to be a terrible networker; the success of your business hinges on your ability to network effectively.
Here are 5 types of terrible networkers and how to avoid becoming one of them!
The Card Shark
The Card Shark is that business owner at a mixer or event that won’t stop talking about herself. She hands out her business cards with a sense of urgency, as if she’s made it a goal to dispense as many cards as possible at the event and “hit up” every single person in attendance.
To put it bluntly, the Card Shark is less interested in quality and more interested in quantity. Card Sharks are repellent because they give off the impression that they are selfish and superficial.
The Card Shark’s approach is a recipe for failure. You cannot build a strong foundation for your business on shallow, fleeting relationships. You will not build trust and rapport if you treat people like dollar bills.
Instead, focus on meeting a handful of choice people at every networking event, and select people you can help and gradually build win-win working relationships with.
The Leech
The Leech is naturally attracted to good networkers. The Leech will typically find a familiar or inviting person (i.e. a host body) at a networking event, latch on, and suck the life out of them.
A Leech doesn’t contribute to a conversation and instead will rely on the host body to introduce him and carry the conversation while he just awkwardly stands by. As a result, it makes things difficult for the host body to mix and mingle with different people and break off into deeper and more meaningful conversations.
The Leech doesn’t intend on being a parasitic networker; it’s just that he doesn’t know what to do with himself at a networking event, so he gets desperate and finds someone successful and uses them as human shield.
The cure to being a Leech is to understand that you have something to offer. Be confident and don’t be afraid to meet new people at a networking event. After all, everyone is there for the same reason and they want to meet you for the same reasons you want to meet them.
The best cure to being a Leech is to take a sincere interest in other people and ask them about themselves and their businesses.
The Hovercraft
The Hovercraft is the person at a networking event that hovers around people and conversations, and floats around and above the event without really joining in and getting into deep waters.
The Hovercraft finds it difficult to join a conversation that is already in progress, as it feels like intruding.
The Hovercraft’s major shortcoming is that she doesn’t know how to read body language. A good strategy for a Hovercraft is to observe the networking event’s attendees and look for visual cues. If someone looks over and makes eye contact, or if their shoulders and feet turn towards you, that can be interpreted as an invitation to join in the conversation.
Another great networking strategy for the Hovercraft is to look for other Hovercrafts at the same networking event. Hint: they tend to flock by the bar or the buffet table. Introduce yourself to someone else who finds it awkward to meet new people and you will immediately have their attention AND GRATITUDE because now they have someone to talk to.
The Enigma
The Enigma is that person at a networking event that seemingly has nothing to say.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not because the Enigma is uninteresting, but more so because he is unprepared.
You can avoid being an Enigma by preparing for the networking event beforehand. Research the other attendees so you’ll know what topics you can talk about. Prepare an elevator pitch so that you immediately grab someone’s attention when you are introduced. Brush up on a few opening phrases, such as, “How did you find out about this event?” and “How do you know the organizer?”
The Ghost
The Ghost is probably the worst and possibly most prevalent terrible networker.
The Ghost does a beautiful job of introducing herself and making a positive impression at a networking event, and then… she disappears.
Poof. It’s as if she never existed.
Always follow up with the people you meet after a networking event. Send helpful articles by email, set up one-on-one coffee meetings, and connect on social media.
Almost every business owner is guilty of being a Ghost at some point, because it’s natural to get too busy to stay in touch. But if you just disappear without moving the relationship further, it’s like the connection never happened.
Don’t let this happen!
