I once had a contact ask me at an event: ‘Is there anyone important here?’ (I replied (sarcastically) – ‘You mean apart from you?’). If that’s your approach, don’t go networking – you’re writing off far too many people and immediately limiting your opportunities
Like any other business development or marketing activity, our networking is most effective when it’s done regularly. A little, regularly works well. Bingeing, then nothing for weeks or months, doesn’t. But how often is ‘regular’?
With most things in life – sport, DIY, playing a musical instrument, art, dancing. etc – some people just seem to naturally pick things up well. We’re all good at some things, but find others a challenge. Networking is exactly the same!