The 5 Worst Pieces Of Networking Advice -- And What To Do Instead

The word "networking" has somehow become one of many recent business buzzwords. In fact, the word is so overused that the concept of networking, in our opinion, has lost some of its credibility as a serious business focal point. But, if you think "networking" is much ado about nothing, rest assured: the popularity of the topic is grounded in stringent research. Studies actually prove that diverse interactions, for example, can help ideas grow from sparks of inspiration to fully formed innovations. And, numerous studies, case studies, and interviews have shown that knowing the right people can help you get a foot in the door—a fact that most of us have experienced at some point in our career. But, after being approached "the wrong way" numerous times via social media sites, and in person, we were curious to discover how to do networking the right way, by knowing what we all should avoid. Read on to discover the worst pieces of networking advice—and what you should be doing instead to maximize your contacts and network potential.

Attend every event. Don’t. Instead, prioritize.

People will tell you the more you can network, the better. And that can be true, to a point—but if you’re attending catering conferences even though you’re in the auto business, maybe it’s time to rein it in. We agree with a recent Fast Company article which advises you to consider your needs, personality, and budget when deciding on events. Unless you’ve got endless time, energy, and funds, only attend the events that will make the most of your resources.

Watch on Forbes:

It’s all about the first impression. It’s not. You’ve got to follow through.

Everyone knows that when you network, you’ve got to make a great first impression, or your chances for a contact are shot. But while research confirms that first impressions matter, we hate to break it to you: a great first impression won’t instantly lead to an irreplaceable contact. Would you do a professional favor for someone you’ve only met once, briefly, even if you had a great five-minute chat? Probably not. That’s why follow up is crucial. Send an email or make a phone call after your first meeting, and plan to grab lunch or coffee. That way you’ll move past the first impression, and start working on a professional relationship that will pay dividends.

Invent a new you. Don’t. Just put your best foot forward.

Have you ever read a column on networking advice and thought, there’s one type of person these tips apply to…but they don’t really fit me? You’re not alone. But you should know there’s a fine line between being your best self and completely inventing a new personality—with a new wardrobe to match—when you network. Being yourself will not only lead to more authentic interactions, but you’ll make a better and more accurate impression. That’s not to say don’t put your best foot forward, but if you’re an introvert who hates advice like “Always introduce yourself first” or an early riser told to “Attend networking bar nights”—tweak that advice. Distill its true meaning (be confident and take advantage of opportunities, in the examples above) and then apply it so that it really works for you.

Work the entire room. Don’t do this. Instead, be genuine and engaging.

Everyone can pick out the guys who work the room from a mile away. They don’t have conversations longer than a few minutes, their eyes are always wandering to discover who they should talk to next, and they don’t like to stand in one place for too long. Their conversations consist of name, position, professional history—and then they move on to the next target. Some people might say the whole purpose of networking is working the room—but we disagree. Quality trumps quantity when it comes to contacts. If you go to a networking event and have two engaging, meaningful conversations, you’ll make better contacts than if you say hello to fifty people. So take your time. Ask genuine questions. Offer to help. Find out how you can contribute solutions to someone’s professional queries. That’s the kind of networking that will deliver great contacts—and probably friends—for the years to come.

Talk to as many people online as possible. No, don’t do this. Listen and approach appropriately.

How many of us have been approached on LinkedIn and other social media platforms by people trying to sell us something that, if that person had actually read our profile, job title, or taken a second to understand who we are and what we do, would politely ask for a viable connection rather than bluntly try to sell us something simply because they have our contacts? It’s not only frustrating to receive messages from these people who believe they are marketing, but because they don’t take the time to realize who they are contacting, it’s irritating. Instead, when networking on social media sites, take some time to know who you are contacting, what they do within and organization, and why you are contacting them specifically. We both have had people connect with us and honestly say, “I know, because I’ve studied what you do, that you’re not the proper contact, but if there’s any chance you’d introduce us to the right people in your organization, it would be greatly appreciated.” That’s honest. It’s awesome. Their names get passed on.

It’s not hard to do networking right if you steer clear of the bad advice. What terrible networking advice have you heard, and what do you do instead? Send us an email or let us know in the comments below.