Many executives think that to build the best network, you need to jump in and make as many contacts as possible at huge conferences and networking cocktail parties. If you don’t leave with a briefcase full of business cards, then how do you know you even made good contacts? Well this is where you need to remember quality over quantity.
It’s easy to go around at the next convention and collect business cards from everyone you shake hands with, but are you really going to benefit from having that card in your wallet? If you decide to call that person up, will they even be able to put a face to your name? Would you if that same person called you out of the blue?
The problem with large scale networking is that it isn’t effective. You are not making connections and lasting impressions with people by having a short conversation and pocketing their contact information. What you need to make lasting contacts and expand your network into one that actually benefits you is to think smaller.
Instead of choosing to spend the weekend at a conference of 1,000-plus people in your industry from across the country, look for smaller events that are nearby. Find workshops and retreats for small business owners that are capped at smaller numbers. This gives you real opportunity to have conversations with other people in your industry or even just fellow small business owners who can benefit from connecting with one another.
There are many organizers out there who set up small dinners of 10-12 entrepreneurs, retreats for no more than 50 attendees, or weekend workshops for 25. The content of these types of events allows people to actually make connections with one another, and have conversations about topics that matter. This allows for a better exchange of ideas than if you went to listen to a speaker talk at you for two hours.
If you want to get better at networking, start thinking smaller. Check out any events that your local chamber of commerce might hold and check out Meetup.com. Search for retreats or workshops that relate to your industry or address some of the challenges you are facing in your business. This lets you connect with other like-minded individuals and grow your network with people that can benefit you and whom you can benefit as well.