I Did My Hair for THIS??? Are Networking Events a Waste of Time?

A few months back, I wrote an article about how much I hate going to networking events – especially big ones. It’s sort of a sensory overload for me to walk into a room full of people and where I know no one. Honestly, I’d rather be snuggling at home in my PJs with my kids!

But as someone whose business IS networking – I force myself to go (usually).

Recently, I got an email from one of my LinkedIn connections complaining about a very large, local networking event that he attended the week before – lots of people were there and, of course, he followed up by reaching out to many of the people he had met, as he had learned to do from just about everything he’s read about networking. In the days that followed, he received not one response from ANY of the people that he reached out to.

Maybe it’s him – but I have to say, I’ve had this experience too. Many times.

So I thought, perhaps, he had the “what’s in it for me?” attitude that many people have when they attend events. He assured me that he did not and, in fact, offered specifically to introduce a few people to other people that he knew that might make good contacts for them, based on the conversations he had with them at the networking event.

Yup. Been there, done that, too.

So this begs the question – Are networking events a good use of networking time? Further – do they make sense for people who:

• Know the difference between networking and selling – and are not attending events to sell anything.

• Are open to meeting up with those that they meet at an event for lunch or coffee at a later date to explore further networking opportunities.

• Network better on a one-on-one or small group basis.

• Are easily frustrated by the lack of follow-up on the part of participants, even when they are going to an event with a “give, not take” frame of mind.

Let me know YOUR thoughts.

(And if you’re frustrated by the business networking event scene, check out The Power Lunch Project’s new networking program, Business Connections IRL, where we match you up to go to lunch or coffee with your own circle of connections on LinkedIn – we know you are overlooking great networking opportunities there! Start building great relationships at http://www.BusinessConnectionsIRL.com!)

Are You Here for the Food?

Maybe I should be offended. I mean, I think I’m a nice person and all. I try to do all the things I know you’re supposed to do at a networking event. I don’t sell. I’m a good listener. I engage. I follow up after the event.

BUT, that’s where I run into trouble….in the follow up.

In my estimation, only about 3% of attendees of a given networking event ever follow up! 3%!! Even if I follow up first! Even if it’s an event that I put together!

So let’s review. You pay, on average, about $20 to get into a business networking event. You nosh. You have a few drinks. You pass out some business cards. You go home and relax with ESPN (for all you guys) or Real Housewives (for the ladies). Then you go to bed and wake up the next morning and go about your day.

No follow up emails – “Hey, it was great meeting you last night – If I can help you – let me know!”

No offers to meet up with anyone for coffee – “Let’s get together over some coffee to see how we can help each other. Are you available next Tuesday?”

No making networking partner matches – “I know someone who has similar clientele, but in a different industry. Maybe you guys can work together? Can I give her your name?”

And, as a result, certainly no referrals. (But I don’t really expect any right away– you shouldn’t either)

I’ve actually discussed this phenomenon with several people, specifically my personal networking guru Jim Matorin of Smartketing.com. Apparently I’m not alone, and in some weird way, that’s sort of comforting, but it still doesn’t help me understand why people who make the effort to attend networking events don’t follow up!

So I’m curious, you of the 97% of non-follow-uppers, why do you waste two perfectly good hours of time at a networking event if you don’t plan on nurturing those relationships with potential networking partners?

Perhaps you’re not sure how to follow up (Hint: If you follow all of the quoted text above, that’s kind of how to do it!)

Perhaps you NEVER meet anyone to follow up with at a networking event. (Really?? Perhaps you are missing the trees for the forest..)

Perhaps you don’t know whom to follow up with. (Hint: You should always follow up with the event organizer after any event that you attend. More than likely, they know who attended their event and can suggest whom you may want to try and partner up with for further networking – so go ahead and ask!)

Or perhaps you only go for the food……

P.S. To meet professionals who really do follow up and are eager to network (and actually know how to do so), consider joining The Power Lunch Project!