Increasing the ROI on Your Networking

Networking requires an investment of time, money and effort. Here are \rfour ways to be sure your return on that investment is worthwhile.

Decide what you want

Why are your attending networking events? Are you looking for a new \rjob? More business? Social contacts in a new home town? Whatever \ryour purpose, stay focused on it, or things can slide into just another \rlong lunch.

Attend the right event

If you are, say, a graphic designed looking for clients, why spend your \rtime at an event for graphic designers? OK, you might be able to pick up \rsome overload business from some designer who is super busy, but \rthat\'s a very small poor to fish in. You\'d be much better off mixing with \rfolks from businesses who use design work. Seems obvious, but it\'s \rsurprising how many people make this mistake.

Talk to the right people

Don\'t spend your valuable networking time chatting to people you \ralready know, who ar not in your traget group. It\'s tempting, of course, \rbecause it\'s easy and funbut it\'s not networking! Look for new people \rand make the effort to meet and greet them.

Keep track of your results

Every month or so, track back through your networking opportunities. \rWho did you meet? Where did you meet them? How did they fit with \ryour reasons for being there? Did anyone help you achieve your \robjective?

Of course, you\'ll also meet people who are pleasant additions to your \rsocial circle, some of whom may even become friends. Do include them \rin your success picture, but if you find you make more casual \racquaintances than the people you are there to meet, you may need to \rchange your networking activites so that they bring you a higher Return \rOn Investment.

Helen Wilkie is a professional keynote speaker, workshop leader and \rauthor specializing in applied communication, including networking. \rRead more articles on this and other communication subjects on her \rwebsite at http://www.mhwcom.com Subscribe to Helen\'s free monthly \re-zine, \"Communi-keys\", and get your free 40-page e-book, 23 \rideas you can use RIGHT NOW to communicate and succeed in your \rbusiness career!

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